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Tyler Unterbrink, Vice President of Operations at the Korte Company, is the recipient of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2024 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award.

The CLI Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community.

Unterbrink was a member of the CLI’s 2014 class. He knows about hard work, dedication, and what it means to get your hands dirty. The alumnus currently lends his expertise to the Department of Construction Advisory Board at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from SIUE in 2005, Unterbrink found his professional home at The Korte Company. In his time at Korte, Unterbrink has worn many hats with distinction from his early days in the field to project executive, from overseeing healthcare projects to raising the bar in distribution centers. Now as Vice President of Operations, he's the backbone of the team, ensuring smooth operations and providing crucial support.

Unterbrink's impact goes far beyond project successes and impressive resumes. He is a leader who makes himself available to new hire graduates and industry veterans alike.  He is known to lend a hand, explain a tricky concept, or bounce ideas around until a brighter light shines through. Unterbrink invests in the next generation of leaders, cultivating the spark of potential in every new face that walks through The Korte doors. He doesn't just build buildings and infrastructure; he builds relationships and people.

Unterbrink's passion for construction runs deep—growing up around his father's business, Unterbrink Builders, Inc., ignited a lifelong love for the field. In addition to his involvement at SIUE he serves on the Workforce Development Committee for the Leadership Council of Southwest Illinois. Unterbrink is dedicated to building a better future.

Residing in Moro, Illinois, Unterbrink and his wife Kari are busy raising two kids and working on the family farm. In his free time, you can find him making a difference at St. John’s UCC-Midway, where he's actively involved in the Church Youth Group, and was a past VP and President of the Church Council. He is also a proud supporter of Madison County 4H, and tirelessly fundraises for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Unterbrink's diverse interests and commitment to giving back make him a true asset to both construction and community circles.

“We are so pleased to present Tyler with the CLI Alumni Leadership Award,” said Chris Gordon, associate dean and professor in the Department of Construction and co-director of the Construction Leadership Institute. “Tyler’s sustained commitment to advancing the building industry and community during his career exemplifies CLI’s mission to produce accomplished leaders who will improve the processes and outcomes in the construction industry.”

CLI is an executive education program jointly developed by SIUE's School of Business and the School of Engineering's Department of Construction. It brings together professionals from many sectors of the building industry.

Since CLI’s creation, more than 500 emerging leaders and executives have benefitted from the nine-week program that strengthens leadership, strategic thinking, communications and key management skills.

For more information on the Construction Leadership Institute, visit siue.edu/cli or call 618-650-2668.

PHOTO:  Tyler Unterbrink, Vice President of Operations at the Korte Company, winner, SIUE's 2024 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award