this spring. Ryan and Kate truly enjoy being very involved in their community with their family. Aukerman credits his unconventional
path—working full-time since age 15, supporting a family while peers attended college, and completing his education through years of perseverance—as a de- fining driver of his success. “I worked through a lot of adversity early on, and it pushed me,” he said. “Al- though I kind of fell into this industry, I realized it fits my personality. I love building long-term relationships. I love the competitive nature of our business, but I also love helping people. If I’m going to invest my time and energy into something, I’m going to give it everything and do my best to make an impact.”
Taking the Lead at AGC of California Aukerman brings that same drive, en- thusiasm, and commitment to making a difference to his leadership of AGC of California in 2026. His nomination to President reflects years of dedicated service within the asso- ciation. He served on both the State Board of Directors and the Los Angeles District Board, including as Chair from 2020–2022, and has maintained long-standing involve- ment with the Construction Education Foundation and Emerging Leaders pro-
gram. Appointed Vice Chair of Highway & Transportation in 2023, he joined the Executive Committee in 2024 and became President-Elect in 2025. Beyond AGC, Aukerman has served
as a representative to LECET Southwest, participated on the Caltrans Construc- tion Partnering Steering Committee, and contributed to advisory committees at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Baptist University. For Aukerman, staying engaged and
maintaining a seat at the table where decisions are made is a key way to give back to the industry that has given him so much. “I have a strong belief in what we call
the ‘Griffith Way,’” he said. “Tis industry has done so much for me and for our company. I feel it’s part of my duty to give back and help make it better.”
Key Goals in the Year Ahead As outlined in his January/February 2026 California Constructor column, Auker- man’s priorities include: • Workforce Development. Accelerating the pipeline by aligning more closely with union partners and expanding training efforts utilizing programs such as the Emerging Leaders Academy, amongst others.
• One Unified Voice for Construction. Strengthening alignment across industry associations to tackle shared
challenges and legislative impacts. “Having one united voice on issues that affect us is key,” he said.
• Improved Owner Collaboration. Advocating for transparency, streamlined contracts, stronger partnering, faster dispute resolution, and quicker payments—especially for small businesses. “I truly know how hard it is to start and sustain a small business,” he said. “I’m very passionate about supporting that community.”
•
Innovation. Encouraging the industry to embrace technology and modernization. “Construction has been slow to adopt change,” he noted. “We have an opportunity to learn from other industries and truly catapult ourselves forward.”
Making a Difference Working closely with AGC of California staff, members, and executive leadership, Aukerman remains optimistic about the future of construction—and energized by the opportunity to lead. “I love learning something new every
day, and I love a challenge,” he conclud- ed. “I see the role of AGC of California President in 2026 as both a responsibility and an opportunity—one I’m ready for. I care deeply about this industry and am committed to leaving it stronger than I found it.”
CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR MARCH/APRIL 2026
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