James J. Barr ’68
Jim Barr, a 1968 graduate in civil engineering, is President of River City Construction, a preeminent construction company in the Midwest.
Born and raised in Mazon, Illinois, then a community of 500, Jim followed his sister to Bradley – she graduated in 1966. He recalls his Bradley days when Si’s Hitching Post was the place to be seen. A member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Jim remembers that he was more focused on social activities than on scholarship and he fondly recalls get-togethers with many of his DU brothers after graduation. Jim’s advice to current and future students is to spend more time with the books and less time on the social scene.
Jim worked his way through Bradley, spending summers and after hours working part-time for Lester B. Knight & Associates, the firm that designed Caterpillar’s first Mapleton foundry. After graduation Jim remained at Knight, but declined a position in their Chicago office, deciding that Chicago traffic was not for him.
Jim then joined V. Jobst & Sons (the company for which Jobst Hall is named). But after 125 years in the construction business, the company closed its doors. With the demise of Jobst in 1984, Jim and six members of the Jobst team joined forces with R. A. Cullinan Company and started River City Construction (RCC), assuming many of the Jobst contracts. RCC’s first job was the construction of facilities at Caterpillar’s Edwards (Illinois) 600-acre Demonstration Area. After 24 years, Caterpillar continues to be RCC’s best customer.
Jim has been a leader in industry-related associations including Tri-Con, Greater Peoria Contractors and Suppliers Association, and the Central Illinois Builders Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America. He has also served as a National Director of the AGC for the last 10 years.
Jim gives back to his alma mater in many ways. In addition to sending two children to Bradley, he has served on Bradley’s Civil Engineering and Construction Advisory Board for 18 years, currently serving his second term as chairman. In addition, RCC employs a number of Bradley civil engineering interns, preparing them for the engineering world. Many of the interns have stayed on and are among the 22 Bradley alumni employed at River City.
A season ticket holder for 38 years, Jim and River City continue to enthusiastically support the Braves, providing 16 season tickets for employees and business partners. In addition, RCC matches employee contributions to Bradley, established an endowment in 1994/95, and funds annual scholarships for civil engineering and construction students.
Jim and his wife, Carole, live in Peoria. Two of their four children have degrees from Bradley: Jennifer BS ’94, MS ’99, and Mike BA ’05.
After 40 years in the business, Jim will retire at the end of 2008. Following his retirement, only one of the original partners will remain at River City Construction. In retirement, Jim says that he and Carole will spend more time at their vacation home in Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, pursuing leisure activities and fishing. They have three grandchildren in Peoria and are lucky enough to spend a lot of time with them when they’re home. Oh…and you’re sure to find them cheering on the Bradley Braves during the winter, as well. Go Braves!
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