Cork Peterson

Peterson Contractors Inc.

Laureate 2023

Cork Peterson is vice president of Peterson Contractors, Inc. (PCI), a nationally regarded, Iowa-based company that has innovated ground improvement installation and heavy-highway construction since the 1960s. As a child, Cork always knew he would be in the construction industry and is a third-generation contractor. Moving dirt and bridges is Corks favorite thing to talk about. Anything about construction makes him happy. He is engaged in his business; its his love and passion, said friend, Mike Dubes.

As an Iowa State University (ISU) engineering student, Cork became the first to choose a heavy-highway option. He received an Army ROTC commission as second lieutenant upon graduation in 1966 and served in the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as a port construction company officer in Vietnam. After discharge from his USACE service, Cork returned to Reinbeck, Iowa, and worked with colleague Cordell Peterson to build and grow PCI. What started with one used bulldozer has grown to a large fleet of heavy construction equipment and trucks.

Over the years, PCI moved on from farm ponds and ag terracing. PCI began to tackle larger and more difficult urban projects and performed work as an active Prime Contractor. PCI expanded into mining and quarry excavation, as well as mass earth-moving projects, and soon developed a specialization in on-road trucking of materials, crushing and material recycling.

In the 1990s, PCI committed to fortifying its capabilities in its structures sector and began to build bridges, box culverts and other heavy structures. This created interest and unique skills in specialty work like shoring, deep cofferdams and other challenging excavations. PCI has also been a pioneer in using new technologies, such as Geopier® foundation systems. Randy Wheeler, friend, said, Cork is a local guy building the workforce in Reinbeck, Iowa. He is helping the community and is able to impact employees by providing them with anything they need. He knows you cant achieve a high level of success without good people. PCI now performs work across the United States and has offices in Council Bluffs, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City and Des Moines.

Cork has been an inspiration, innovator and a leader in his field. Widely respected for his humility, integrity and upstanding treatment of others, his legacy includes an emphasis on acknowledging the impact and contributions of those around him, including his entire team at PCI. Tom Olson, attorney and friend, said, Cork changed my career. As a young attorney, I didnt know anyone in Iowa until I met Cork. Cork gave me the opportunity to assist PCI on a project, and I learned that if you have a good relationship with Cork, you have a good relationship with contractors throughout Iowa. Cork truly embodies the ISU Cyclone spirit, including a couple of years serving as Cy the mascot as a student. He was awarded the Cardinal Key in 1966, and today, his license plate says CY65.

Cork has held a number of statewide and national leadership roles, including president and board member for the Associated General Contractors of Iowa, Chair of the National AGC Highway Division and Chair of the Construction Engineering Industry Advisory Council at Iowa State University. He is a member of the AGCI inaugural Hall of Fame and has received Lifetime Achievement Honors. In 2021, Cork generously established the Peterson Endowment for Geo-Construction Innovation, inspiring academic advancement and research that will impact the field for many years to come. Cork is a straight shooter, but polite and gentle. He has so much influence, but is not boastful. He is just passionate about his business and how it can help people, said friend, Dave Guetterman.

Cork plans to have one party for his retirement and funeral, continuing to work and spend time doing what he loves. He also enjoys golfing, spending time with his partner Pat, and attending ISU sporting events. Cork has one son, Todd, wife Sandra, and two grandchildren, Vanessa and Caleb.