October 1, 2025

By Lane Kimble

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned.

Taylor Tauer’s Plan A was to be the next great quarterback of the Green Bay Packers.

Plan B was to follow in his father’s footsteps and join the Marine Corps as a fighter pilot.  Then, the military discovered he had Loeys-Dietz syndrome, a genetic disorder that put him at great risk for a ruptured aorta.

“That changed it, right?  Oh, now I have to get a real job.  And also I have to have open heart surgery,” Tauer said.

Plan C?  Put his civil engineering degree from Michigan Tech to good use.

“I was lucky enough to have an opportunity at Northeast Asphalt,” Tauer said.  “After a couple interviews–because they weren’t sure, right–I was hired and I’ve been here ever since.”

We’d say that’s worked out pretty well for Tauer, the construction industry, and WTBA as a whole.

Tauer is the latest guest on the “Road Trippin’ with WTBA” podcast.  During our 20-minute conversation, we learn more about one of the industry’s young leaders and Tauer’s critical role in helping launch WTBA’s new work zone safety billboard campaign in the Fox Valley.

Check out Episode 7: “When Life Gives You Lemons“, available on Apple Podcasts or wherever you download your shows.  Just search “WTBA”.