About
J.F. McGivern was founded by John F. McGivern in 1946 as a residential painting company operated from a woodshed behind the family home, with no lights, heat or running water. The early years proved challenging with founder J.F. McGivern Sr. managing the business without company vehicles, using public transportation to get equipment to and from job sites, hand mixing paint over the weekends and straining, boxing and canning it for use each Monday.
John “Jack” F. McGivern II, took over the company at age 23. He was instrumental in growing the organization into the preeminent paint and coatings provider in Northeast Kansas. In 1999, John A. McGivern purchased the company from his father and still serves as president. The fourth generation of leadership joined the organization when John’s cousin, Jeff Morris, became co-owner of the company in 2017.
Attention to detail and an unmatched work ethic helped the company expand its offerings to commercial and industrial coatings. That same attention to detail led to historic renovation and restoration projects where mistakes are not an option. Quality work and pride in craftsmanship have made J.F. McGivern the name in professional painting services in Topeka, Lawrence, Kansas City and throughout Northeast Kansas for more than 70 years.
Notable Projects Completed over the years include:
Historical Statehouse Renovations – House & Senate Chambers, Rotunda, Patination of copper dome
Historical Cedar Crest Governor’s Mansion
Wolf Creek Generating Station
Jefferey Energy Center
Security Benefit Group Headquarters
Great Overland Station
Historical Alf Landon Residence
Goodyear Tire & Rubber
BNSF Railway
Frito Lay
Hill’s Pet Nutrition
Kansas Avenue Pocket Parks & Mid-Block Arches
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
Professionalism is our Promise. Because our customers deserve the best plus some.
Meet the Team
John McGivern | President
John grew up around the family business. After graduating from Washburn University where he played on the Ichabod football team, John joined J.F. McGivern full time working for his father, Jack.
John credits the things he learned on the field at Washburn and in the field with J.F. McGivern as critical to his leadership education. Throughout his 40 plus years with the company, John has performed nearly every aspect of the industry, from Field Applicator and Painter to Management and Sales. He understands the hard work and preparation required to maintain J.F. McGivern’s high quality and professional standards.
John and his wife, Sheila, have a strong interest in the greater Topeka community. The McGivern’s have two children, daughter Dr. Genavieve Hendrickson (husband Jeremy Hendrickson, sons Cal and Mac), co-owner of Hamilton, Wilson, and Hendrickson Orthodontics, and son Dr. Benton McGivern (wife Rachael and daughter Hadley), Internal Medicine Resident at Kansas University Medical Center.
John is a 1983 graduate of Washburn University. He was selected by Governor Sam Brownback in July 2012 as a member of the Washburn Board of Regents and is a former past chair. John also serves as a Washburn Foundation Trustee and is a member of the Washburn University Lincoln Society. John is a 1996 graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka and a 2001 graduate of Leadership Kansas.
Jeff Morris | Vice President
Jeff is a 2003 graduate of Washburn University. He started at J.F. McGivern in 2000 working as a Painter’s Assistant. There he continued working part-time for the company during the Washburn school year and full-time during the summer months as the Shop Warehouseman.
Jeff was soon promoted to Foreman and Job Superintendent, specializing in industrial and floor coatings. Jeff currently serves as Vice President, Senior Estimator, and Project Manager.
Jeff is a 2017 graduate of Leadership Greater Topeka. He resides in Topeka with his wife Megan and four children; Gianna, Isaiah, Olivia and Jack.
Jodi Pollom | Office Manager
