Tom Grunow grew up in Connecticut, and is one of five brothers, four of whom are independent contractors. He earned a civil engineering degree with a major in construction management from Drexel University. In 1975, Grunow Construction was established as remodeler and spec home builder in Connecticut. In 1986, Tom and his wife Alanna (formerly Alanna Leibhardt) moved to La Jolla from the East Coast to raise their family.  Tom has held his General Contractors license in California since 1988. 

 The Grunows have always been very involved in the La Jolla community. Tom is currently President at the La Jolla Historical Society.  He also donates his time at St. James by-the-Sea. Tom is a vestry member as well as being head of the building committee and serving as an usher.

Dan Grunow was raised in La Jolla and graduated from La Jolla High School in 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University and has been with Grunow Construction since 2007 when he returned as a co-owner and director. Dan had previously worked in the company as a project manager from 2001-2003, in addition to the many years of tutelage growing up in the Grunow household.

Dan is a 3rd generation La Jollan. His grandfather on his mothers’ side was Fredrick Leibhardt, an acclaimed local architect, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright at Taliesin School of Architecture.  It had always been the hope that Dan would one day take the reins of Grunow Construction, and in 2007 Dan returned to the family business as a partner.

One of Dan’s goals is to take Grunow in the direction of green and sustainable building while continuing on the Tom Grunow tradition of close personal relationships with clients, quality craftsmanship, and community service. Dan is an avid outdoorsman and surfer with close ties in the La Jolla community. He supports youth surfing in the La Jolla and served as junior president of the Windansea Surf Club in 1999 and 2000, and President in 2001. Dan is committed to carrying on the Grunow Construction legacy and hopes to continue his education in the field of architecture and design with an emphasis on sustainability.

Robert Mapes was born and raised in San Diego. Robert is our general manager and estimator and he brings 25 years of construction experience to Grunow Construction.  Robert has been with Grunow Construction since 2000 and he Microsoft Office Certified. He has overseen Grunow’s organizational change from a home based operation to the organization that it is today. Robert’s close working relationship with Tom and Dan Grunow over the last decade ensures that all aspects of Grunow Construction are managed with consistency, integrity and the attention to detail that has made Grunow one of La Jolla’s best local contractors.

Bill Anderson has been a San Diego resident since 1980 and has been with Grunow Construction since 1992. He holds a Masters in Architecture from Tulane University and is also a licensed General Contractor. Between 1986 and 1988 he headed the Art Glass Association of Southern California as president of the organization.  Bill’s construction industry experience and background as an architect enables Grunow Construction to efficiently interface between the Grunow tradesmen, the building codes, and the designers. Bill’s experience with codes and his long-term experience in the building industry give him a unique ability as jobsite superintendent on commercial projects.