Ken Strosnider accepted the Contractor Achievement Award from Rich Nemmer, Lyles Construction.
Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain (center), accepted the Owner of the Year award from Kevin Jolin, Balfour Beatty.
Caltrain Receives Owner of the Year Award
CONTRACTOR ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Ken Strosnider, President/CEO, W.M. Lyles Co.
Ken Strosnider is a construction industry leader with more than three decades of experience in water, utilities, and environmental construction. He joined W. M. Lyles Co. in 1989 as a Field Engi- neer after earning a degree in Construction Management from California State University, Fresno, beginning a career defined by steady growth and deep commitment to the company. Over the years, Strosnider advanced through nearly every level of the organization, including Division Manager of Central California and Executive Vice President and Chief of Operations in 2017. In 2021, he was named President, and later President & CEO, leading the company through statewide expansion and continued growth across California. Strosnider’s leadership is grounded in integrity, safety, and quality, and he is widely respected for living the “Lyles way.” Known for his hands-on approach, he prioritizes personal connection—walking jobsites, knowing employees by name, and mentoring future leaders. As W. M. Lyles Co. marked its 80th anniversary in 2025, he remains focused on empowering people and preparing the next generation to lead.
Caltrain’s Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP) is a groundbreaking achievement in American rail modernization, earning it the prestigious Owner of the Year Award for 2026. Spanning 52 miles, this transformative project re- placed aging diesel trains with a fully electrified system, reducing emissions, improving air quality, and delivering safer, faster, and quieter service for generations to come. Caltrain’s visionary leadership and collaborative ap-
proach set a new standard for public ownership. Their innovative strategies, including shared risk allowances, the “Zipper Approach” for decision-making, and col- laborative verification processes, ensured efficiency, minimized delays, and fostered trust among contractors, stakeholders, and communities. Despite challenges like utility relocations, unforeseen conditions, and the pandemic, Caltrain’s decisive leadership and commit- ment to partnership kept the project on track, avoiding significant delays and costs. The project’s impact is profound: 33,000 jobs created, 65,000 daily riders served, a 40% increase in ridership, and 250,000 tons of annual greenhouse gas reductions. As the first major diesel-to-electric rail conversion west of the Mississippi, PCEP sets a national precedent for sustainable transit. Caltrain’s legacy of innovation, collaboration, and excellence exemplifies the spirit of the AGC of California Owner of the Year Award, driving America’s rail revolu- tion forward.
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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR MARCH/APRIL 2026
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