of ambitious young construction profes- sionals within AGC of California known as the Emerging Leaders. At the time, he could not have imagined that two decades later, he would become the first among them to be elected President of the association. What he did know was that he had found an unexpected passion for an industry he had never once considered growing up—one perfectly suited to his competitive drive, love of learning, desire to be challenged, and an outgo- ing personality rooted in collaboration, relationship-building, and teamwork. Today, at just 48 years old and serving


T


as President of Griffith Company since 2024, Aukerman ranks among the young- est construction executives ever tapped to lead AGC of California. He does so while standing on the shoulders of giants from his legendary 124-year-old firm—one that helped found AGC of California, AGC of America, and the Beavers. Griffith leaders George Griffith, Tom


Foss, and Jaimie Angus similarly served as Past Presidents of AGC of California, and Jim Waltz served as President with AGC of America. Each helped shape not only the direction of the state’s largest construction trade association, but also the future of the industry itself. It is a role Aukerman says he is hum- bled, honored, and ready to embrace in the year ahead. “To follow in the footsteps of people


like Jaimie Angus, Tom Foss, Jim Waltz, and George Griffith is an incredible hon- or,” he shared. “Tey set the example and served as mentors. I’m excited to see what AGC of California can accomplish for our members and for the industry as a whole in 2026.”


wenty years ago, as Ryan Aukerman was just begin- ning his career at Griffith Company, he joined a group


Griffith Company worked in joint venture with The Dutra Group to deliver the Pier G Wharf Improvements project at the Port of Long Beach.


Circuitous Path Into Construction Industry Growing up in Chino Hills, California, Aukerman said a career in construction was never on his radar—and the road that brought him there was anything but straightforward. Becoming a young father at just 18, he balanced raising children, learning a new profession, and pursuing college as the first in his family to do so, all while working full-time. It is a journey he has never regretted.


He has long lived by a personal mantra: “Live life to the fullest, take advantage of every moment and every opportunity, because you never know if you’ll get an- other chance.”


Aukerman was an avid athlete who


excelled at baseball and other sports and always had an affinity for math and busi- ness. He worked a variety of jobs, including as a Teamster and later at an accounting firm, while supporting his young family and attending school part-time. When that firm closed its California


branch, a friend introduced him to Jaimie Angus, then a Griffith Company district manager and now Chairman and CEO. Te connection was immediate. Auker- man joined Griffith in 2004, beginning as a project engineer on the Long Beach Airport project before moving into project management and estimating roles. After briefly stepping away from school,


CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR MARCH/APRIL 2026


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