WIC Week Spotlight—Kelli Struett
- J.Anthony Tedpahogo
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 1 minute ago
Recently named “Project Manager of the Year” by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Washington, Manson Project Manager Kelli Struett attributes the achievement to her strong work ethic and the invaluable support of her colleagues.
“Something I learned as a project manager is that success is only possible through the support and collaboration of those around you,” Kelli says. “The wealth of knowledge I’ve gained working alongside Manson personnel over the years has been essential to getting the job done.”
Kelli’s career path began at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ, in 2009, where her passion for mathematics led her to pursue a degree in civil engineering. Noting her brother’s interest in mechanical engineering, Kelli opted for a different route, aiming to pave her own lane as a structural engineer. After graduating in 2013, she landed a position at Hubbard Merrell Engineering, designing and analyzing structures for the firm.
While Kelli enjoyed her early work in structural engineering, she soon realized that further advancement in her career required more education. Competing with peers holding master’s degrees made her rethink her path, and a pivotal conversation with her manager sparked a fresh perspective.
“My manager, who had spent more than a decade in construction before returning to structural engineering, reviewed my design work for connections and explained to me that, ‘The engineering works, but it’s not buildable,’” Kelli recalls.
Determined to sharpen her engineering skills and gain hands-on field experience, Kelli made the decision to pursue opportunities in construction.
A short time later, Kelli joined Manson’s Seattle office as a field engineer in late 2013. She spent the first few months in the Estimating Department before she was assigned to her first project—the SR520 Evergreen Point Floating Bridge and Landings—as an engineer-superintendent. Her role as ballasting superintendent put her in charge of a crew, teaching her firsthand how marine construction projects operate and how to lead effectively.
After the SR520 Bridge project, she joined the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal Improvements and the Port of Juneau Cruise Ship Berths projects in Juneau, AK, in 2015. On these projects, Kelli continued to gain exposure to a wide range of marine infrastructure work including demolition, welding, and piledriving.
Kelli’s experience at Manson spans an impressive variety of projects, from large joint ventures to smaller million-dollar efforts, involving everything from pontoons and piledriving to drilling, steel, and concrete structures. Her earliest Manson assignments brought unique challenges and learning opportunities.
“The SR520 Bridge project was my introduction to running a crew, while the Juneau Cruise Ship Berths taught me about piledriving, welding, and the realities of Manson’s typical work—complex challenges, reliance on teamwork, which leads to tremendous professional growth,” Kelli says.
One of Kelli’s favorite aspects of Manson is the people she works with. She values the collective knowledge and camaraderie—learning from project managers, superintendents, foremen, operators, tugboat captains, and craft personnel. Kelli says she has never had just one mentor; instead, she’s shaped her approach as an engineer and manager by learning from everyone she’s met.
“After the Juneau project, Aldo, who was the general foreman on the job, explained to me that ‘time’ is what I needed most,” Kelli says. “That is something that I still think about today. Marine construction isn’t learned in school, but it’s all about intuition, imagination, and building on experience.”
After years of drawing from intuition, imagination, and practical experience, Kelli faced the most ambitious project of her career in 2023: the Lake Washington Ship Canal Large Lock Center Miter Gate Replacement in Seattle, WA.
As Project Manager, she led her team through the challenging task of retiring a century-old set of miter gate leaves—two massive components forming the center lock gate—at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks (also known as the Ballard Locks). The team replaced the old leaves with two newly fabricated leaves—each measuring an impressive 53 ft by 46 ft and weighing 165 tons—and installed critical components. This project was vital not only for U.S. commerce but also for the region’s vessel traffic, as the Ballard Locks facilitate the passage of more than 50,000 boats annually and play a key role in maintaining water levels for both Lake Washington and Lake Union.
After the project’s successful completion and delivery in early 2025, it garnered significant regional acclaim for its innovation, execution, safety, and commitment to preserving historic structures. The project has already received (and continues to receive) numerous accolades, including top honors at the AGC of Washington’s Build Washington Awards—earning the prestigious Grand Award for Construction Excellence as well as winning in the Heavy/Industrial: $5M-$20M category. In addition, Kelli was individually recognized for her exemplary leadership as project manager, further highlighting the collective achievement and contributions to the project’s success.
Winning the AGC of Washington’s Project Manager of the Year Award is more than a personal milestone for Kelli; it’s a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. She hopes the recognition inspires others—especially women in the industry—to see what’s possible. Kelli believes that success comes from embracing your own strengths and not trying to imitate others.
"I encourage others to be themselves, take on new challenges, and never stop learning,” Kelli advises. “Don’t let unfamiliar tasks intimidate you, but dive in and figure things out together. Every project is a chance to grow, and teamwork is at the heart of everything Manson achieves. Few professions offer the chance to build something unique, surrounded by supportive colleagues, and see your hard work come to life.”