Millis Development and Construction (MDC), a family-owned general contracting company based in Texas, has grown steadily since its founding in 1980 by Jason Millis. The company, which sprouted from house painting, focuses on landscape architecture-led projects and has become a recognized construction industry leader. Today, it stands as one of the most notable companies in the Texas construction scene, under the leadership of Chad Millis, who took the helm in 2016.
Jason Millis, who originally pursued an accounting degree, found his true calling in the world of construction. As Chad explains, Jason’s decision to leave behind the corporate world for construction was a bit unexpected. “After completing his degree, he found that painting houses was a more rewarding path than the accounting career he had planned for,” Chad recalls. What started as a house painting business blossomed into residential remodeling and large-scale commercial construction.
The company’s early years were marked by steady growth, fueled by Jason’s ability to identify opportunities and Chad’s eventual involvement in the business. By the time Chad joined the company in 2003, MDC had established a solid foundation. However, the true leap forward came when the company began specializing in high-use public facilities, parks, playgrounds, and recreational spaces—projects that heavily involve landscape architects.
“Our niche has been projects where a landscape architect is the lead consultant,” Chad explains. “These types of projects usually have a lot of landscape elements, but we act as the general contractor, so we’re doing the entire project—not just the landscaping.” This unique focus has positioned MDC as a go-to contractor for projects that require both construction expertise and a deep understanding of how design and landscape elements work together.
“Our niche has been projects where a landscape architect is the lead consultant.”
MDC’s portfolio is filled with projects that showcase their ability to manage complex and high-profile developments. One of the first major milestones for the company was the construction of the Cross Creek Ranch Rec Center in 2008. As Chad notes, this project was monumental for MDC. “At the time we built it, it was very large and a very big milestone for us,” he says. “It was probably two or three times the size of any projects we had done before that.” This project served as a stepping-stone to the company’s next big achievement—the Buffalo Bayou Park project in downtown Houston.
The Buffalo Bayou Park project, which MDC completed between 2012 and 2015, is one of the most iconic in their history. The project, valued at nearly $50 million, involved extensive work on a major public park in the heart of Houston. For Chad, this project represents a key turning point in the company’s trajectory. “That catapulted us into doing the Buffalo Bayou Park, which was almost $50 million worth of work over a series of years,” he explains.
With the success of Buffalo Bayou Park and other large-scale projects under their belt, MDC’s reputation continued to grow. In 2010, the company reached a significant milestone—hitting 100 employees. That number grew to 200 by 2022, marking a period of rapid expansion for the company. As the business grew, so did their geographic footprint. In 2022, MDC expanded into Dallas, followed by the opening of an office in Austin in 2023. The Austin office has already made an impact, with the company securing its first few projects in the city. “Austin’s a very robust market for what we do, so we’re excited about it,” Chad says.
As the company expanded, so did its service offerings. Today, MDC isn’t just a general contractor—it’s a comprehensive construction firm with a diverse portfolio of divisions. These various branches work in harmony to provide clients with a one-stop-shop for all their construction needs.
“We have several different entities under our overall umbrella,” Chad explains. “The original company was Millis Development and Construction, but that grew into a platform of different companies that do different things. We have a precast concrete product that we manufacture—it’s a fence retaining wall block product. We also have a landscape and irrigation self-performed company, so we install new irrigation and landscape on projects and also do landscape maintenance. We have a fencing company that does brick walls, fencing, and entry monumentation.”
This interconnected structure allows MDC to serve a diverse range of clients with a full spectrum of services. “At the end of the day, our core client base is residential developers and landscape architects,” Chad explains. “Our goal is to be the single point of contact for all of our clients’ construction needs. That’s why we have a variety of companies—each one is designed to meet different needs and provide a comprehensive range of products and services for our clients.”
Community involvement is at the heart of MDC’s philosophy. The company takes great pride in the projects they build, many of which have a lasting impact on the communities they serve. Chad is particularly passionate about the role MDC plays in creating spaces that benefit the public. “Community is one of our five core values for a lot of reasons,” he says. “First and foremost, the projects we undertake have a significant impact on the communities where they’re located. Nearly all of our projects are influential in some way, whether they’re parks, playgrounds, or regional play areas.”
MDC’s most well-known project, Buffalo Bayou Park, serves as an excellent example of the company’s commitment to the community. “On any given day, there might be 1,000 people utilizing that park,” Chad notes, underscoring the impact of their work. But the company’s dedication to the environment doesn’t stop with the construction of parks and recreational spaces. In fact, MDC has set an ambitious goal of planting one million trees by 2030. So far, the company has planted around 280,000 trees, a number they hope will continue to rise significantly in the years ahead. “We want our employees to recognize that we’re doing our part to restore nature within the community,” Chad adds.
MDC’s community-oriented mindset extends beyond environmental initiatives. Chad and the MDC team are deeply involved in various philanthropic efforts. One of the causes closest to Chad’s heart is the Alzheimer’s Association, where he sits on the Board of Directors. Earlier this year, the company held a walk in four of their offices to raise money for the cause. “We have several philanthropic endeavors that we go through, and we’re trying to get more centrally focused on our philanthropic giving so there’s a little more strategy behind it,” Chad explains. “But giving back to the community is really important to us as a group.”
The company also supports Habitat for Humanity, with Chad sitting on their board as well. MDC recently worked on a project for the organization called Robin’s Landing, which provided affordable housing for families in need. This project involved creating a new park and amenity area for the Habitat for Humanity neighborhood development, which will be transformative for the entire Habitat for Humanity organization.
As MDC looks to the future, the company is poised for continued success and innovation. Celebrating its 45th year in business, the company reflects on decades of growth and achievement while preparing for what’s next. With a healthy contracted backlog and ambitious plans, Chad Millis is optimistic about the road ahead. “Our future looks really bright,” he says. “We have an ambitious growth plan as an organization. It will require significant expansion, but as it stands today, we’re expecting around 18% growth year over year.” Beyond Texas, the company is exploring opportunities in other states, driven by its commitment to community involvement, environmental stewardship, and innovative solutions. For MDC, the focus remains on building more than structures—they’re building a lasting impact.
