Craig Koehler’s interests in business and information systems has merged nicely with his affinity for finances in his job as chief financial officer for Roel Construction Co. Inc. With degrees in both from San Diego State University, Koehler (pronounced Kaylor) joined Roel Jan. 1, 1996, when contacted by his friend of many years, Roel CEO Kevin J. Elliott.

Koehler, 39, says the move was a good one, putting to use his years of experience at Rohr Industries, and before that at Computer Sciences Corp. As Roel’s CFO, he oversees accounting, financial planning and reporting, asset control and risk management. He serves on the company’s executive committee and is involved in its strategic planning. Since taking the job, Roel’s revenues have doubled, and Koehler has implemented a new accounting system for the company.

His professional memberships include the CFO Roundtable, a group of financial officers and controllers; the Associated General Contractors; and the Construction Financial Managers Association.

When he isn’t coaching a youth soccer or ball team for one of his three children, Koehler is busy with community activities. One of those is Day for Change, which he describes as “a play on words” for a project of the CFO Roundtable organization to raise funds for abused and neglected children.

“The organization was started about a year and a half ago by the founder of the CFO Roundtable, who was retiring,” Koehler says. The idea was to raise funds that would be given to various community organizations that aided such children. One project was to set aside a day for people to drop their pocket change into a jar at work or at other strategic locations. “So far, we’ve raised about $20,000,” Koehler says, through the change collection and a golf tournament. Day for Change got a somewhat sluggish start, Koehler says, because it was planned for October, just after the Sept. 11 events.

Koehler also participates in fund-raising and volunteer activities for the Salvation Army, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Cerebral Palsy Association and Christmas in April.

Koehler earned his bachelor’s degree magna cum laude at San Diego State University in 1985 and his master’s in finance a few years later. He and his wife, Yvonne, live in the Carmel Valley area with Chelsea, 10; Courtney, 8; and Ryan, 5.

— Sandy Pasqua