After interning with PCL and serving as an active-duty U.S. Marine, Tyler Kautz joined PCL full-time in 2006. He began his career as a project engineer with ambitions to stay in the field and follow a superintendent track. However, he found his skills better suited for operations and commercial roles, progressing to project manager, construction manager, operations manager and eventually district manager, all within PCL's Seattle office. 

Each project team that Kautz helps to oversee brings the benefits and expertise that come with being backed by one of the largest general contractors in North America while maintaining a strong local connection in Seattle.  
 
“We’ve been in the region for over 32 years,” says Kautz. “Our projects are being run by people who not only have expertise in every kind of construction project, but also have deep local roots.” 

For Kautz, the most memorable projects he’s been on are defined by the teams involved, and he says he cherishes the collaborative efforts of complex projects.

A particularly special project was the Father Andrew P. Kashevaroff Library, Archives, and Museum in Juneau, Alaska. This project held personal significance due to his family’s history in the area. Kautz’s great-grandparents moved to Alaska before it became a state to help establish various social service departments. His great-grandmother worked at the original museum that the new facility replaced, and the Director of Libraries, Archives and Museums for the State of Alaska that Kautz worked with had interned under his great-grandmother. “It was a really neat, full circle moment for me,” says Kautz.

Besides the memorable projects, what sets PCL apart the most for Kautz is the people who create its culture. “My fondest memories of any of the construction projects I’ve been a part of have been the people,” says Kautz. "The employee ownership model that PCL has breeds a family-feel culture. It’s hard to find that elsewhere.”

Today, Kautz serves as a key partner to the Pacific Northwest community, ensuring strong relationships with clients and consultants and maintaining a positive market presence. He focuses on having the right leaders in place that will meet PCL’s high standard of excellence.

“I take pride in helping to ensure our long-term vision comes true with a capable team and a steady pipeline of qualified leaders,” says Kautz. “My purpose is not just to build successful projects, but to build people who build successful projects.”

Outside of PCL, Kautz serves on the board for the University of Washington’s Construction Management department and is involved with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a wildlife conservation group. His dedication to both his profession and his community is a testament to his commitment to building a strong future for the Pacific Northwest.