Paul Kristedja ('85, Construction Engineering Technology)

Founder & COO, KPRS Construction Services, Inc.

BS Construction Engineering Technology, Cal Poly Pomona, 1985

Paul Kristedja’s passion for construction started early. In his teens, he worked with his brother for an architectural firm where they’d be frequently visited by contractors. This first exposure to the construction industry was all Kristedja needed to commit to the discipline.

Cal Poly Pomona was the logical, self-evident choice. A strong engineering reputation and its affordability were the principle draws, and he made the most of the four years he was there. Kristedja joined the student chapter for the Associated General Contractors of America—held all leadership positions in all four years.

He worked throughout all four years of his time at Cal Poly Pomona beginning as a draftsman and then project engineer and estimator. This, combined with a seemingly endless appetite for construction books to further his knowledge in the subject matter, made him well-equipped to enter the industry.

Kristedja’s first jobs as a graduate were project management roles at Saffell & McAdam, McCarthy Construction and Kajima Construction. On top of this, he taught a few classes in Cal Poly Pomona in the evenings from 1987 until 1997.

By 1997, Kristedja took a leap and founded KPRS Construction Services, Inc. Under his leadership as COO, KPRS has grown into a respected name in the construction industry, known for delivering innovative and high-quality projects.  Kristedja also is owner of Dreyfuss Construction, Bergman Construction, KPRS Hawaii Construction and B&T Manufacturing.

Kristedja’s message to students today? Simple—keep busy and keep reading. “Don’t be afraid to be busy while going to school.  It forces you to manage your time efficiently,” Kristedja says. “Read as many books on the subjects you are learning in school. You gain knowledge quickly because you will see that all books will touch on the important matters, which allows you to focus on the issues and disregard the fluff.”