ED KUTSCHKE
Executive Vice President, Corporate Business Development
"The most attractive thing about this business is the relationships. While a project eventually ends, your reputation is forever. At Aldridge, we focus on cultural synergy and making sure the relationship is always bigger than the project."
A Strategic Foundation Built on Relationships
With nearly four decades at Aldridge, Ed Kutschke’s career is a testament to the power of persistence and reputation. A Physics major with an engineering focus, Ed always knew he wanted to build, but he chose an analytical path to get there. Having worked in almost every operational group at the company, he possesses a rare, 360-degree view of the business. This deep institutional knowledge, combined with understanding the art of acquisitions and market diversification, allows Ed to lead Aldridge’s growth strategy with a unique blend of "big picture" vision and operational grit.
A Legacy of Leadership and Market Expansion
Ed’s leadership style is a reflection of two distinct and complementary perspectives he gained early in his career. He learned the importance of relentless persistence while also discovering the value of empathy and understanding the other side’s position. These lessons shaped Ed’s belief that success in construction is about understanding the person on the other side of the table. His time serving as the EVP of Helix Electric further sharpened his expertise in acquisitions and market strategy. For Ed, the Aldridge Way is defined by establishing cultural synergy with partners and maintaining a people-first approach to every contract.
Cultivating the Next Generation
Ed views his legacy through the people he has helped bring into the fold. Since the early 2000s, he has played a pivotal role in recruiting and mentoring many of the company’s strongest operational leaders today. He advises new employees to spend their early days building credibility and relational capital because a strong reputation is the industry’s most valuable currency. Outside of the office, Ed remains a hands-on leader in the industry. Whether he is navigating a high-stakes market expansion or skiing with his family, Ed remains focused on the same goal: building something that lasts.
Education
College of the Holy Cross - B.A., Physics
The University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Associations
American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) Board Member
National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Member
Personal Interests
Travel
The Great Outdoors: Hunting, Skiing, and Golfing
Spending time with family