Francis Rooney is a native Tulsan and fourth-generation Oklahoman. He received his education from Georgetown University and Georgetown University Law Center before returning to Tulsa to assist in the reorganization of his family’s businesses. The Rooney family established Rooney Holdings, Inc., a diversified group of companies including construction, real estate development, finance and electronics manufacturing. Rooney became president & CEO of Manhattan Construction Company in 1984, stepping into the role just as the Oil Bust hit Oklahoma and the surrounding states during the mid-80’s. In an effort to reach potential clients and increase visibility, Manhattan Construction expanded into Oklahoma City and Texas. These efforts yielded partnerships and opportunities in the Houston and San Antonio areas, as well as local projects throughout Oklahoma which built the company into one of the largest privately-held construction firms in the nation with nine offices in six states across the nation. Widely known for building high-profile, technically difficult mega projects—including Presidential Libraries for both George H.W. Bush (College Station, TX) and George W. Bush (Dallas, TX); Reliant Stadium (Houston, TX); AT&T Stadium (Arlington, TX); Chickasaw Nation’s WinStar Conference Center (Thackerville, OK) and the Stephenson Cancer Center (Oklahoma City, OK).

In addition to Rooney’s business career, he and his family have a longstanding tradition of public and community service. A devout Catholic, Rooney entered public service following a Presidential Appointment to the United States Department of State as Ambassador to the Holy See and was elected Congressman representing Florida’s 19th District from 2017- 2020.