JW Danforth Commits $100,000 to Fund the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship & JRGF Initiatives

November 10, 2025
Brady Thompson received the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship at MCAA25. Pictured: Brian Helm (JRGF President), Michael Bement (John W. Danforth Company Senior Vice President, Pre-Construction), Brady Thompson (Recipient), Todd Follis (John W. Danforth Company Senior Vice President) and Rick Gopffarth (MCAA President).

The John R. Gentille Foundation (JRGF) is proud to announce that the John W. Danforth Company has made a generous $100,000 commitment to support the continuation of the Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship. This significant contribution reflects Danforth’s ongoing dedication to investing in the next generation of mechanical contracting professionals and honoring the legacy of the family that helped shape the company’s success.

Pictured at the presentation of the the 2024 Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship: Brian Helm (JRGF President), Aidan Wolownik (Recipient), Kevin “Duke” Reilly (John W. Danforth Company Chairman), and Robert Beck (MCAA President).

The Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship, valued at $5,000 annually, commemorates the lasting impact of the Reilly family’s leadership within Danforth and the broader mechanical contracting industry. Kevin “Duke” Reilly, who served as Chairman and CEO, continued the family’s long tradition of excellence, following in the footsteps of Wayne, Patrick, and Emmett Reilly. Collectively, the Reillys contributed 128 years of service and leadership to Danforth and to the advancement of the mechanical contracting industry.

Mark Rogers (JRGF President), Andrew Palcan (Recipient), Robert Beck (John W. Danforth Company) and Steve Dawson (MCAA President) at the first scholarship presentation in 2016.

The donation includes funding of the scholarship for 10 years as well as a $50,000 donation to JRGF initiatives. As one of MCAA’s charter members, the John W. Danforth Company has played a vital role in shaping the direction of the industry and fostering innovation, education, and professional development. This scholarship, administered through the JRGF, ensures that the values and leadership exemplified by the Reilly family will continue to inspire future generations of mechanical contracting leaders.

JRGF thanks the John W. Danforth Company for its generous donation and looks forward to the presentation of the next Reilly Family Memorial Scholarship at MCAA26.

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