R. N. Rouse, Sr. worked in general construction in the Goldsboro area in the 1920s, building houses and schools for Wayne County citizens. But he had a vision to build his own construction company in eastern North Carolina, and he soon set about putting his plan in action. On Valentine’s Day 1929, R.N. Rouse & Company opened its doors for business with 10 employees. He told his employees that his company would be built on his reputation for quality, one project at the time.

From 1964 until 1983, under R.N. Rouse, Jr.’s leadership, the company expanded primarily into the Triangle area of North Carolina. This growth expansion increases even today, as R.N. Rouse & Company continues to be one of the main construction companies in that area. One of the best-known R.N. Rouse built structures in that area is the SAS Institute World Headquarters. In April 2005, the company was awarded one of the largest projects of its kind in the state, the NC Central Psychiatric hospital in Butner. This 475,000 square foot, 432-bed hospital is on a 52 acre site and is located in the central region of the state.

The Rouse family tradition continues in the millennium with four Rouse brothers, all sons of R.N. Rouse, Jr., in various company positions. Ray Rouse, III, is currently chairman of the Board; Charlie is the Chief Financial Officer; Don is Vice-Chairman, and David is Vice-President of Information Technology.

Today, Company President Dwight Best, is the first non-Rouse president in the company’s history. Best began his Rouse career as a timekeeper in the Raleigh office in May 1972. He has held various positions within the company, serving as Executive Vice-President of Pre-Construction Services, before his promotion to President of the company. Rising through the ranks has allowed Best to know the company “inside out”. Under Best’s supervision, the company has opened its third location in North Carolina, a satellite office in Wilmington. “With the growth in New Hanover and Brunswick counties in North Carolina, and the rapid expanse of growth in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, we felt opening an office in Wilmington would be the most logical avenue for us to pursue,” Best said.

In addition to the company headquarters in Goldsboro, R.N. Rouse has another branch office in Cary, NC, in the Regency Park complex. “Our three strategic locations places us in the hearts of the regions we are hoping to expand in,” said David Rouse.