Black Construction Appoints Leonard Kaae as President Amid Strategic Indo-Pacific Expansion

Guam-based contractor Black Construction, a subsidiary of Tutor Perini, has appointed longtime executive Leonard Kaae as its new president, the company announced Tuesday. Kaae has served the firm for over four decades, most recently as senior vice president and general manager.

His promotion comes at a time when Black continues to play a critical role in Guam’s infrastructure and defense-related construction, especially amid increased U.S. military investments in the Indo-Pacific. Under Kaae’s leadership, Black has become Guam’s largest general contractor and now stands as the island’s second-largest employer, trailing only the federal government.

“Leonard exemplifies the type of high caliber leader that Tutor Perini is very fortunate to have leading our Indo-Pacific operations,” said Gary Smalley, CEO and president of Tutor Perini, in the release.

Tutor Perini highlighted that Black is one of its most successful business units, noting its record-setting project backlog and a robust slate of future bidding opportunities. The firm recently collaborated with Tutor Perini in a $74.4 million joint venture to construct a child development center at Andersen Air Force Base in Yigo, Guam — one of several strategic defense projects tied to growing federal commitments in the region.

With roughly 2,000 employees, Black Construction is a major economic force in Guam, a U.S. territory with a population of just over 153,000. Kaae has been a key figure in expanding the company’s presence not only in Guam, but across Hawaii, Micronesia, and the Philippines.

In addition to his executive duties, Kaae has overseen core operational functions such as estimating, staffing, and equipment management across the Indo-Pacific, according to his bio on Black Construction’s website.

His promotion aligns with broader geopolitical developments, including the Pacific Deterrence Initiative — a U.S. Department of Defense strategy aimed at strengthening regional deterrence capabilities. According to Real Clear Defense, funding for the initiative is expected to grow significantly over the next decade.

Black’s leadership transition underscores its critical role in supporting national security objectives and regional infrastructure needs. With Kaae at the helm, the company is well-positioned to secure additional federal contracts and expand its influence throughout the Pacific.

Originally reported by Joe Bousquin in Construction Dive.