After a decade in the architecture industry, Alyse Frederick joined PCL in 2022 and quickly made her mark on high-profile projects across Southern California before moving to Oregon. Today, she plays a pivotal role in expanding PCL’s presence throughout the Northwest Region. Recognized as a Woman of Vision by the Daily Journal of Commerce in Oregon, Frederick continues to shape the built environment through her leadership and active community engagement.

I joined PCL in 2022 as a project engineer in PCL’s California Buildings office, where I worked for the Special Projects Division. During my time in L.A., I worked across diverse market sectors, including aviation, themed entertainment and adaptive reuse. One of the most meaningful projects I worked on was the transformation of a former roller-skating rink into a transitional housing facility that provides shelter, support services and job training for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Today, I serve as a project manager in Oregon, helping drive PCL’s growth throughout the Northwest region. Most recently, I led the interior scope for the Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse, an award-winning project located just south of Portland.

I actually started my career as an architect. I was always fascinated by the intricacies of the built environment and the way spaces come together. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture at the University of Kentucky, followed by a Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institue of Architecture. I loved that architecture brought together art, history, design and construction.

Over time, I discovered that my passion didn’t lie in the design process itself, but rather in the problem-solving and technical details involved in the construction drawing and administrative phases. After taking a step back to reflect on my career path, I made the decision to transition into construction, where I’ve found a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose.

One of my favorite experiences was working on several concession projects simultaneously at Los Angeles International Airport. The pace was fast and the timeline was tight, but the team was incredibly supportive. Managing multiple projects that wrapped up within just a few months gave me a hands-on look at the full project life cycle. It was a fun, energizing way to dive in.

The Clackamas County Circuit Courthouse also holds a special place for me. It was my first major project with PCL and my first opportunity to manage my own scope. Leading a portion of such a large-scale project helped me grow into my role, expand my understanding of scopes I hadn’t worked with before, and build confidence as a team leader.

The best part of PCL is the people. I have had the honor of working with some of the most intelligent, honest and caring people I’ve ever met. I have been so lucky to be surrounded by people who uplift and support each other and who want to see their team succeed.

I'm actively involved in several industry organizations, including 7x24 Exchange International, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education in the mission critical sector, the Urban Land Institute, and the Professional Business Development Group, a Portland-based organization that champions equity and inclusion in the construction industry through ongoing education, training and networking opportunities.

I'm also involved with the Portland chapter of CREW Network, an organization focused on empowering women in commercial real estate and related fields. CREW provides a welcoming space for women across architecture, engineering, and construction to connect, share insights and stay informed. It's been a meaningful way for me to stay connected to the local community and build relationships with other like-minded professionals.