Dick Marlenee, founder and co-owner, grew up farming in northeastern Montana. At 17 years old, he realized his career goal was construction when he helped a cousin build his home in Scobey Montana. After graduating from high school in 1971, Dick pursued an Associate Degree at North Dakota State School of Science in Architecture and Estimating, graduating in 1973. While attending NDSCS, and building and designing homes in-between classes, he also founded Marlenee Construction.
After several years of residential construction, Dick hired on with a large Montana commercial contractor, where he would learn the commercial aspect of construction; He was involved in the estimating, design, and project management of several large buildings such as schools, churches, coal mine buildings, and refinery buildings.
In 1984 Dick moved to Arizona where he founded a utility company and became heavily involved in public projects including traffic signal construction, freeway signage, street lighting and power substations. In 1992, Dick expanded that company to Billings, MT, where he could enjoy hunting and spending time with family. Later, he decided to resume full-time operations as a residential and commercial contractor and based his operations in Scobey, Montana. Since then, Marlenee Construction has constructed irrigation dams, state bridge projects, large commercial buildings, storage facilities, custom homes, remodels, school renovations, and more. In 2006, in a partnership with his son, Gregg, the business was expanded to include an office in Helena, MT.