French-Reneker Associates was founded in 1952 by Donald E. French in Kahoka, Missouri with the original name of French Engineering.

In the early days of Don's practice, he did a great deal of work for counties in Iowa, which were upgrading their farm-to-market roads. As Don's practice became more and more Iowa-oriented, he moved the practice to Fairfield, Iowa in 1961. As small communities began to modernize with water and wastewater systems and paved streets, more and more of the work became municipal in nature.

In 1965, Don was joined by W. Daniel Reneker, a bridge designer for the Iowa Highway Commission. Dan became president of the firm upon Don's death in 1982.

Ken Bucklin became a member of the firm in 1983 after a 21-year career with the Iowa State Highway Commission and as county engineer in Appanoose and Keokuk counties. Ken assumed the role of president when Dan Reneker retired in 1994.

John Meyer joined the firm in 1995.  He previously held positions in municipal engineering and public works.  This included work in Davenport, Oskaloosa, Newton, and Waterloo.  John assumed the role of president of the firm in December of 2004 upon the retirement of Ken Bucklin.