This story part of a series highlighting local community members as part of GSI’s IN Schools campaign. Watch each week for the next edition!
Standing amidst a sprawling yard stacked with massive concrete blocks, manholes, and various precast concrete structures in north Spokane, TJ Houk, CEO of Wilbert Precast, describes the business: “We make really big things that people rarely see,” he says with a smile. But these large concrete pieces play critical roles in the everyday workings of communities, from underground utilities to retaining walls.
Houk carries a unique legacy into his role as the fifth-generation family leader at Wilbert Precast, a company founded in 1906 by his great-great-grandfather and his brother. Initially making burial vaults—his ancestor even patented a design still used today—the company has steadily grown and diversified, now producing a wide array of precast concrete products that help build and protect communities across the Northwest.
His journey to CEO was shaped by a passion for learning and workplace experience that began long before he assumed leadership. After a kindergarten through 12th-grade education in the Mead School District and graduating from Mt. Spokane High School, Houk pursued higher education in math, accounting, and finance at Northwestern University and Gonzaga University. Alongside his studies, he was fortunate to secure three distinct internships through connections made in high school and community programs. One of the most formative experiences was thanks to his involvement in the Teen Advisory Council of the Chase Youth Commission, a group of dedicated Spokane teens who worked to address real community issues and engage local government leaders. “That a group of smart, passionate teenagers accomplishing real things made a lasting impression on me,” Houk recalls.
This early experience fueled an interest in connecting young people to business environments where skills are learned through hands-on work. Houk strongly believes in workplace learning and actively supports programs that expose students to careers they might not otherwise consider. He remembers his exposure to Wilbert Precast as a student on a plant tour when his father was CEO, calling it a “fortunate experience” he hopes to replicate for other youth.
Before returning to the family business in 2021, Houk spent a decade at Trupanion, a Seattle-based pet health insurance company. There, he climbed the ladder from intern to Chief Data Officer, managing data analytics, actuarial science, and business intelligence teams dedicated to medical insurance for cats and dogs. This corporate experience in a highly technical and customer-focused environment prepared him well for his current role. “The challenge of leading Wilbert Precast is unique because it requires responsibility across many functions,” Houk explains. His leadership style reflects lessons learned through the Chase Youth Commission: identify barriers to employees and remove them so everyone can excel in their areas of expertise.
Education was a cornerstone in Houk’s development, particularly his focus on math, which he pursued rigorously throughout middle and high school. Accelerated in math courses and supported by dedicated teachers who challenged him, he was part of a small group tackling advanced concepts that even the teachers didn’t formally teach. Programs like Math is Cool, which emphasize problem-solving beyond arithmetic, added valuable skills relevant to his career. He credits these experiences for learning lessons in teamwork, logic, and perseverance. “You never really know which lesson will become relevant in your work life, but problem-solving and working on teams have been key,” Houk reflects.
When asked about the most essential advice for high school students today, he emphasizes practical skills and relationships. “Teachers provide lessons in data analytics, coaching, educating, and helping others that are invaluable,” he says. His own path—from high school youth council, through thoughtful internships, to corporate leadership and now running a 100-plus-year-old family business—illustrates the impact of seizing opportunities early and embracing both formal and practical education.
As CEO of Wilbert Precast, Houk balances tradition and innovation, guiding a company that produces the unsung building blocks of community infrastructure while fostering a culture of mentorship and learning. From the classrooms of Spokane’s schools to the concrete casting floor of his family business, he remains dedicated to connecting education with real-world skills and opportunities, inspiring the next generation to build something big—even if it’s rarely seen.
Learn more about how you can support GSI’s IN School’s campaign to foster stronger connections between our schools and the communities they serve.