Dexter & Chaney

In 1981, two certified public accountants, Mark Dexter and John Chaney, saw an opportunity. While working at Arthur Andersen, they dealt with a cumbersome manual process for a large maritime project and realized that the construction industry could benefit from emerging spreadsheet technology. They founded Dexter & Chaney in the spare bedroom of a Seattle apartment to build software for construction companies. The company developed Spectrum Construction Software, a suite of tools for managing accounting, project management, and operations. For over 30 years, the company grew organically, serving more than 1,000 contractors across the United States. Their focus was on creating a comprehensive, integrated system that would be the only software their clients would ever need. A significant chapter for the company began in 2014 when it received its first external investment from Pamlico Capital. This partnership fueled further growth and strategic initiatives. Then, in 2017, Dexter & Chaney was acquired by Viewpoint Construction Software, a larger player in the construction tech space backed by Bain Capital. This event marked the end of an era for the independently-owned company, integrating its Spectrum software into Viewpoint's broader portfolio of construction management solutions.