T.J. Meyerholz

Director of preconstruction, Ryan Cos. US Inc.

Age: 39

Wife: Megan Meyerholz 

Children: Josiah (11), Luke (11), James (7) and Timothy (20 months)

Reasons he is a Forty: As the director of preconstruction at Ryan Cos., T.J. has played a significant role in the construction of Central Iowa’s most notable projects, such as Amazon, the Des Moines federal courthouse, John Deere, Outlets of Des Moines, Principal Financial, Vets Auditorium renovation, Wells Fargo West Campus and Wellmark. Along the way, T.J. has served on the board of directors for the ACE mentor program, the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, Master Builders of Iowa’s board of directors, and served with the Pillars of Promise leadership team. He also completed the Ryan Cos. Emerging Leadership program. T.J. is known as a consummate professional who loves a challenge, and he has built a reputation for being a go-to resource in the construction community.

What are your goals in your role at your company? Ryan Cos. is a real estate development company that serves a variety of clients across the nation. As a leader within Ryan’s Midwest region, I look for opportunities to help team members to sharpen their technical skills, discover their leadership style, develop a business acumen and learn how to best meet the needs of our clients.

What are your goals for your community involvement? I want more than anything to be a good husband and dad to my four boys. I strive to honor God and be a good steward of the gifts I’ve been blessed with to serve others. 

What's your biggest passion, and why? My passion is to invest in people, especially the next generation. I enjoy helping young people to be successful in a variety of ways, and I take great pride in the opportunities I’ve had to be a mentor to students, small group leader at my church and coach to my young boys.

What is it that drives you? Early in my career, two older gentlemen took me under their wing to teach me the ropes of the construction industry. I saw firsthand their dedication to doing the job well and serving clients with excellence. Their investment in me had a significant impact on my success, and I strive to follow their example to make a lasting impact in the lives of others.

What are your future aspirations? A few years ago I became involved with a tremendous group of Des Moines leaders who started a nonprofit organization called Pillars of Promise on a mission to fight intergenerational poverty in Des Moines. I aspire to be like these leaders who have banded together, with different backgrounds, to use their networks to instill positive change in our community.

Three hobbies: Coach kids’ sports, cheer on the Hawkeyes, and woodworking and home improvement projects. 

Fun fact: T.J. likes to tell people, with a chuckle, he has won two Grammy Awards. Officially, he was part of the performing arts at Iowa City High School when it was named a Signature School by the Grammy Foundation both in 2000 and 2001.

One word to describe you: Driven.

What is your wish for the Central Iowa business community? I would like to see the successful model of the ACE (architecture, construction and engineering) mentorship program used to foster mentorships across different disciplines in our community. This would engage high school students to interact with mentors on a weekly basis with the hope that they would join the profession to help solve Iowa’s workforce challenges.

What's one piece of advice that you would give to a young professional? I encourage you to be involved in personal and professional organizations early and often. Once you do get involved, be all in. Don’t simply show up. Volunteer for committees, get involved in messy challenges and build great relationships along the way. Use these platforms to surround yourself with great people and mentors who will teach you how to become a continuous learner.

What is one issue you would like to see Central Iowa leaders address? I would like to see the successful model of the ACE mentorship program used to foster mentorships across different disciplines in our community.