At Elevated Construction Services (ECS), we take pride in recognizing the talented people who drive our success. Our Employee Spotlight series highlights the individuals whose experience, dedication, and leadership help deliver outstanding results for our clients, partners, and project teams. In this installment, we highlight AJ Casteel, Estimator. Having spent years with premier manufacturing and installation firms, AJ brings elite mass timber expertise to our team. He delivers seamless, insightful solutions for complex mass timber projects from early concept through final construction. Read on to learn more about the career path that led him into construction, and how he embraces collaboration with his peers to deliver projects he’s proud of.
This interview has been edited for length
After graduating from college in 2009, I worked as a wood framer for several years before joining a general contractor as a Project Engineer. Working in the field gave me a strong foundation and sparked my interest in the industry. As my career progressed, I became interested in the office side of construction and eventually transitioned into estimating, where I discovered a passion for preconstruction and helping shape projects from the very beginning.
A recent project I’m proud of is Family Health Centers of San Diego’s Main on Mollison. Our team did a great job educating the customer on mass timber and adding real value to the project. We’re excited to be working with Whiting-Turner’s San Diego office for the first time and to keep expanding our presence beyond Northern California.
My favorite part of construction is seeing a project come to life and knowing I played a role in making it happen. There’s a real sense of pride in being able to point to something tangible and say, “I helped build that.” One project that still stands out is a high-end equestrian estate I worked on during my wood framing days. Every time I pass by it, I’m reminded of the craftsmanship and teamwork that went into creating it.
I’ve also always been passionate about sustainability, which is what drew me to the mass timber industry. The ability of mass timber buildings to store carbon and support lower-carbon construction aligns closely with my personal values, making the work especially meaningful to me.
I’m an avid runner. I was a Division I track athlete at the University of Oregon, where I ran middle-distance events, and I still race periodically and compete in endurance events. I’m also a husband and a dad to a 4-year-old and a 5-month-old, and I put a lot of effort into those areas of my life. When I’m not focused on family or work, I’m usually training for events or competing in them. It’s a lot of fun for me.
Scott is a seasoned cost management and industry expert, and leader of the preconstruction team. He is responsible for the department, project procurement, and business development efforts including contract negotiations and client satisfaction.
Paul is a seasoned executive in the mass timber industry with extensive experience across North America’s engineered wood sector. He has played a key role in expanding market presence in the United States and fostering collaborations with high-profile clients, bringing a strategic and growth-oriented approach to advancing mass timber adoption.
As Director of Field Operations, Tym leads Elevated Construction Services’ field operations nationwide, supporting project execution while maintaining the high standards of quality, service, and partnership clients expect. Passionate about developing people and strengthening teams, he focuses on empowering others, removing obstacles, and delivering exceptional experiences for clients and partners.
Dalia is a seasoned construction professional with over 2 decades of experience; she has built and lead complex projects and teams throughout the USA and Mexico. Dalia currently oversees all Elevated Construction Services project operations and leads the project management team, driving successful project delivery and operational excellence.
Bobby is responsible for managing all rough carpentry and mass timber projects. He oversees field operations, including scheduling and coordination of manpower, and tracks and reports production results. He has 28 years of trade and carpentry experience.
TJ works with Elevated’s preconstruction experts through the bidding process and strategizes with project managers to ensure project success and client satisfaction. Additionally, he works with Elevated’s president on business planning to set and execute company goals and initiatives. TJ has 19 years of experience in the construction industry.
Lon has 40 years of expertise in coordinating and managing successful teams of various sizes and complexities. He oversees client relationships and all field operations, so projects are executed safely, efficiently, and within schedule and budget requirements.
As President, Neil is responsible for strategic oversight and implementation of the company’s vision plan to achieve organizational success. He provides guidance to senior leaders regarding management of their teams and resources to achieve project success and high client satisfaction. Neil has more than 24 years of experience in the construction industry.