As area manager for PCL Construction in Orange County, Jeyre Lewis oversees operations across the region’s entertainment, education, hospitality and commercial projects, and grows the company’s market presence by focusing on strong client relationships.
Lewis’s journey with PCL began as an intern in 2007 while he was pursuing his undergraduate degree at Florida A&M University. After completing his Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the same institution, he joined the company full-time in 2010.
His interest in construction began at a young age, stemming from a childhood fascination with Legos and a deep interest in how buildings come together. Lewis also often helped his father with DIY projects around the house, further fueling his interest in construction. This early curiosity, combined with a love for math and drawing, set the foundation for his career. Lewis recalls that his parents recognized his talents early on and enrolled him in engineering-focused middle and high schools. By the time he graduated, he was confident that civil engineering was the ideal path to pursue his passion for construction.
Now over 15 years into his career, seeing the impact projects have on the community gives Lewis a purpose in his career.
One of the standout projects in Lewis’s career is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ at Universal Studios Hollywood®. As his first project in California, it left a lasting impact thanks to the collaboration within the team and across the different PCL offices. The project highlighted PCL’s strong, consistent company culture and the importance of growing human connections.
Lewis attributes his long tenure with PCL to an alignment of values and the supportive, employee-owned team. He shares that his motivation for coming to work each day is the people. It's the quality of the team and the mutual support they provide that keeps him committed. In addition to the strong team dynamic, Lewis highlights PCL’s dedication to tackling complex projects as a major source of inspiration. The company embraces challenging work, often under tight deadlines, and thrives on delivering results in demanding environments.
Outside of PCL, Lewis is actively involved in several organizations, including the Associated General Contractor, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Progressive Black Men, a non-profit service organization whose purpose is to promote positive images of African American men through education, community service, and “the development of high standards of personal integrity and moral character.”
Lewis’s contributions to the industry have also been recognized through prestigious awards, including the ENR’s National Top 20 Under 40 and ENR California & Northwest’s Top 25 Under 40. With a passion for construction and an unwavering commitment to teamwork and innovation, Lewis continues to be a driving force behind PCL’s success in Orange County and beyond.