Taylor Construction, based in New Vienna, Iowa, has emerged as a key player in the state’s road and bridge infrastructure development. Under the leadership of Krista Thier, president of Taylor Construction, the company has grown steadily through strategic partnerships and a deep commitment to community and collaboration.
Thier, who holds a background in business, joined the family-owned firm founded by her parents more than 30 years ago. While she is not an engineer or builder by trade, Thier has been instrumental in driving the company’s growth and long-term success. Her instincts for networking and building relationships have helped position Taylor Construction as a trusted name in the industry.
As a small company, Taylor Construction recognizes that competing for government contracts and managing complex infrastructure projects requires thoughtful collaboration. The company has established a strong, ongoing relationship with CIRAS and the APEX Accelerator program, leveraging its resources to navigate the competitive government contracting landscape. Through their work with Julie Fagle, a CIRAS APEX Accelerator government contracting specialist, Taylor Construction has secured projects with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, focusing on road and bridge construction across the region.
Beyond contract acquisition, Taylor Construction champions the role of small businesses in the construction industry. Thier and her team advocate for unbundling large contracts into smaller, more accessible segments—making it easier for small and mid-sized firms to compete. This effort has helped open doors for other Iowa-based companies looking to grow their capacity in the government marketplace.
Thier believes in “strength in numbers” and actively seeks partnerships with construction and civil engineering firms that offer competitive pricing and high-quality service. CIRAS APEX has supported this approach by guiding Taylor Construction through the federal contracting system (SAM.gov) and introducing the company to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. These tools have allowed Taylor to gain valuable insights into awarded contracts, enabling smarter networking and subcontracting strategies.
Taylor Construction also benefits from CIRAS APEX’s bid-matching services, which provide customized notifications of relevant government bid opportunities based on the company’s capabilities and target geographic area.
Through its collaboration with CIRAS APEX, Taylor Construction has not only expanded its own operations but has also helped pave the way for other small businesses across Iowa. The company’s projects emphasize safety, durability, and historical preservation—improving the efficiency and connectivity of Iowa’s infrastructure.
By bridging both infrastructure and opportunity gaps—both literal and figurative—Taylor Construction continues to drive progress, one project at a time.
Contact Julie Fagle at jafagle@iastate.edu to learn more.
This APEX Accelerator is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense.