Lance Wilhelm, an executive with Kiewit Building Group Inc., has been selected as a trustee of Kamehameha Schools.

Wilhelm, 46, is senior vice president and Hawaii area manager for Kiewit Building Group Inc. and has spent 23 years with the company, according to Kamehameha Schools’ announcement.

As Kiewit’s top executive in Hawaii, Wilhelm is overseeing construction of the first segment of the city’s planned 20-mile commuter rail line. In 2009 Kiewit was awarded a $482.9 million contract to build the first 6.5 miles of the project from Kapolei to Pearl Highlands near Leeward Community College.

Wilhelm is a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications, and a 1983 graduate of Kamehameha Schools.

"I am humbled and honored to be asked to serve Kamehameha in this capacity," Wilhelm said in an announcement on the schools’ website.

"While the work ahead is sure to be challenging, I am excited, energized and eager to work with everyone throughout our Kamehameha ohana."

He will start his tenure on the board Jan. 1, replacing Diane Plotts, whose term expired in June. Wilhelm’s term is five years with eligibility for renewal for an additional five years.

Wilhelm, who was chosen by a state Probate Court judge, will join board members Corbett Kalama, chairman; J. Douglas Ing; Micah Kane; and Janeen-Ann Ahulani Olds. Trustees are paid $122,000 a year; the chairman receives $158,000.

Wilhelm has served as chairman for the 2011 March of Dimes’ March for Babies campaign and is a board member for Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America, the YMCA of Honolulu and the University of Hawaii Foundation.

Wilhelm was born in Honolulu. He was hired by Kiewit as a business manager trainee.

Wilhelm is a board member of the General Contractors Association of Hawaii and the West Oahu Economic Development Association. He is also on the boards of the Aloha Council, Boy Scouts of America, Enterprise Honolulu, University of Hawaii Foundation and YMCA of Honolulu.