California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Brian Jaramillo, chief operating officer of Tilden-Coil Constructors, was studying construction engineering technology at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona when a chance meeting with a company executive led to a decades-long career. Mr. Jaramillo had applied for a scholarship sponsored by a general contracting foundation, which led to a lunch meeting with an executive from Tilden-Coil, which in turn resulted in a scholarship and a summer internship. After graduating from Cal Poly Pomona in 1987, he began his career at Tilden-Coil, overseeing and guiding operations and managing hundreds of millions of dollars in construction projects.

Mr. Jaramillo has taken every opportunity to give back to his alma mater. He is the 2014 Engineering Hall of Fame inductee and a former chair of the College of Engineering Dean’s Leadership Board. He has spearheaded several student success initiatives, including virtual tours to give students a glimpse into the construction industry. Mr. Jaramillo also has served as a mentor and a coach for students, given lectures for clubs, sponsored competition teams and supported the Maximizing Engineering Potential and Women in Science and Engineering (MEP-WISE) program. Along with his wife, Vesta, he also provided funds for COVID-19 emergency relief for students, department needs, lab equipment and capital upgrades, as well as vital scholarship and recruiting support.

In recognition of his exceptional career in construction management and his ongoing support of success initiatives for the students of Cal Poly Pomona, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona are proud to confer upon Brian Jaramillo the honorary degree of Doctor of Science.