Forty Under 40: Keith Tencleve

Keith Tencleve has established a career at the intersection of two strengths: business and engineering. This symbiosis of skills has benefited his endeavors with aviation projects and now as an asphalt expert.

With a keen eye for design improvements, Tencleve analyzes the physical and functional aspects of a project, while his sharp business acumen keeps him focused on the financial and strategic objectives.

Tencleve is a native of Ozark and went to work for Garver in 2005 after earning a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Arkansas. For his graduate degree, he researched bridge construction. He later earned a managerial MBA, also from the UA.

By 2009, he led Garver’s local aviation team, designing airfield improvements for Northwest Arkansas National Airport, Rogers Municipal Airport, Joplin Regional Airport and others.

In 2015, Garver named him director of a new division, AssetMax, which focuses on pavement management. Tencleve has since overseen more than 40,000 acres of pavement projects throughout the nation — some public but primarily private.

He also serves on the firm’s Strategic Planning Group, on the Garver Finance Committee and as the company’s real estate manager overseeing lease management and projects for all 34 Garver offices in 13 states. He is a mentor internally and presents for the firm’s professional development program.

“I like to build things and see them built. And I’ve learned over time that’s not just physical things. It’s people development, too,” he said.

Tencleve is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas. He serves on the Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and helped spearhead the future Underwood Park project in west Fayetteville.