Thai Nguyen began his journey with PCL as an intern in the company’s Hawaii office. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, he officially joined the company in 2008 as a field engineer based in Los Angeles. Over the years, Nguyen has climbed the ranks, taking on roles such as project manager and area manager. Today, he leads as PCL's Los Angeles district manager, overseeing business operations in the area and upholding the company’s commitment to excellence.

A native Angeleno, Nguyen’s interest in construction was sparked as a kid in the ‘90s while watching the STAPLES Center (now Crypto.com Arena ) come to life. "I wanted to know who was building the STAPLES Center, and I knew I wanted to be a part of something like that," says Nguyen. His interest was solidified through his involvement with the ACE Mentorship program, an after-school initiative focused on workforce development by connecting high school students with industry professionals in design and construction. “They came to my high school with the promise of free pizza, so I decided to attend a session to see what it was all about,” says Nguyen. "From that moment on, I knew construction was the path for me."

During his 16 years with PCL, Nguyen has been part of several iconic projects, including the UCLA Pauley Pavilion renovation and expansion project. As a fast-paced, high-profile project, this project was an opportunity for Nguyen to form some of the most influential relationships of his career. "I love construction and seeing a building come to life," says Nguyen, "but my favorite part of my job is the people I work with."

As an employee-owned company, Nguyen believes that PCL fosters a family-oriented and collaborative culture driven by a shared sense of purpose. This mentality extends beyond the company to its clients and the communities PCL serves. For Nguyen, working at PCL is about more than building structures, it’s about building relationships and legacies. “There’s a lot of care that goes into our work,” says Nguyen. “We care about each other, we care about our clients, and we care about the impact we have on the community.”

Nguyen remains actively involved in the ACE Mentorship Program. Over the years, he has served on the ACE Board of Directors and led a team at his high school alma mater, empowering the next generation of engineers and builders. "Giving back to the next generation is easy and sharing what we love is easy,” Nguyen says. "The kids I work with inspire me every day." He encourages others to join in mentorship, noting the profound impact it can have on both the mentor and the mentee.

Nguyen’s commitment to excellence has earned him numerous accolades, including the ENR/McGraw-Hill ACE National Exemplary Mentor Award and ACE Mentor Program’s Mentor of the Year in Los Angeles. Additionally, he has been recognized as one of ENR California’s Top 20 Under 40. Nguyen is also a LEED Accredited Professional and a Design-Build Institute of America Professional.