My career journey at PCL has been both dynamic and rewarding. I joined the company in 2008 after graduating from college, starting out as a field engineer. Over the years, I progressed into the role of project engineer to project manager, where I had the opportunity to work on some of the most complex projects within PCL’s California Buildings office, including the development of over 3,500 beds for student housing projects across three campuses, multiple renovations to Dodger Stadium and the ConRAC project at Los Angeles International Airport.

Today, I serve as a preconstruction manager, where I oversee the execution of alternative delivery projects from their earliest stages through to the start of construction. One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role has been collaborating with clients and teams to bring innovative ideas to life – guiding projects from concept to reality.

In addition to project work, I had the opportunity to contribute to the development of our internal training resources. I helped develop our preconstruction training manual and created a course to guide teams on how to effectively execute this phase of work, along with the development of our corporate manual on the successful execution of design-build projects. Now I oversee the implementation of this process across all our California projects.

I've always been drawn to building. I attended college at Humboldt State University (HSU) – now called California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt – where I initially double majored in Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Resources Engineering. I funded my education through handyman work – skills I picked up helping my dad with home projects. That experience, combined with the hands-on curriculum offered at HSU revealed that construction came naturally to me. A professor encouraged me to explore that further, so I connected with the Industrial Technology Department, where I found a strong sense of belonging as part of their Construction Management department.

I eventually landed an internship with the school’s construction management department, where I gained real-world experience helping deliver two new buildings for the campus. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with an emphasis in Construction Management. During this time, HSU participated for the first time in the annual Associated Schools of Construction competition. I captained the team competing in the first national-level competition for LEED. It was there that I was first introduced to PCL, and I began my career with the company not long after graduating.

It’s hard to pick just one favorite project, there have been so many memorable ones. From work at UCLA to Dodgers Stadium and Disney, each project has held a special place in my journey.

If I had to choose one, though, it would be a renovation and restoration project we completed for Disney. That project was packed with unique challenges that pushed our team to grow. We transformed a small space into something remarkable, reviving an important piece of history.

What made this project meaningful – and others, for that matter – was the support I received throughout. I had incredible mentors at PCL and subcontractors who generously shared their knowledge. I also faced some tough personal challenges during that time, and the team truly rallied around me, not just to get the job done, but to help me take care of myself, too. That experience reminded me that with the right mindset and support, even the hardest days can feel like a vacation.

The investment in our employees is unmatched. The company goes above and beyond to create meaningful opportunities for growth, and that care is reflected in the long tenure of our employees and the strong relationships we build with clients, many of whom return to work with us again and again.

On a personal level, I truly value the sense of ownership that comes with being part of PCL. It’s not just about doing the work; it’s about being part of something bigger and seeing the direct impact of your contributions. That ownership mindset is deeply embedded in our culture and shows up in how our teams approach safety, quality, scheduling and client relationships. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a team that takes such pride in what we do.

One cause that’s especially close to my heart is our work with United Way. I served as a member of the Emerging Leaders Council for United Way of Greater Los Angeles and continue to support and advocate for their mission.

I’m also proud to be an ACE Mentor Team Leader, helping to guide high school students who are interested in careers in architecture, construction and engineering. I even launched a new ACE program at a school in San Marcos, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to see how engaged and motivated the students are.

In recognition of my work, I was honored to receive the Project Manager of the Year award in 2017 from the American Subcontractors Association, along with several mentorship and leadership accolades through PCL. These experiences have been both humbling and inspiring, and they continue to fuel my commitment to giving back and helping others grow.