In recognition of Women in Construction (WIC) Week, Adolfson & Peterson Construction Gulf States brought together five women leaders for a round-table discussion to learn more about the role of women in the construction industry, how they landed in this field and why it is in their blood.
These women represent a vital role in shaping the construction industry’s future. The roundtable participants included:
Christina Paraliticci: I started as a pre-med major but realized in my sophomore year that it wasn’t for me. I called my mom and asked for her input, and she encouraged me to explore other degree plans. It took several months before I found myself on an introductory construction course where I heard from different subcontractors and GCs describing the construction industry. That’s when I felt God say, ‘this is what you are going to do.’
Courtney Lane: Upon graduating with a communications degree and thanks to connections, I took what was intended to be a temporary pre-construction position with a glazing subcontractor. It didn’t take long for me to decide I wanted to stay in this industry.
Stephanie Ragsdale: Similar to Courtney, I also have a communications degree. After working for 12 years in education, a connection brought me to AP, where I have discovered that being a part of projects that impact the community is extremely rewarding.
Melissa Montiel: My dad works in the field, and I always admired the hard work that goes into constructing buildings.
Sheryl Cadaret: With 25 years of restaurant experience, it was actually a colleague there who connected me with AP.
Sheryl Cadaret: I provide financial data/reports/analysis/recommendations to guide operations leadership in making strategic financial decisions to maximize profitability. On a day-to-day basis, my focus centers around labor/workforce, billing, fleet management, tax compliance, budgeting, insurance placement and warehousing.
Christina Paraliticci: I’m currently working on a mission critical project in which my primary role consists of managing change orders. These are cost impacts resulting from design changes or conditions discovered in the field which must be submitted to our owners/clients for review and approval. I start with a list of change orders submitted by our trade partners to the owner/client, who has a team of auditors reviewing them for accuracy and justification. I serve as an intermediary between the parties as they reach a final agreement for payment to be issued.
Courtney Lane: I’m currently wrapping up a healthcare project in downtown Dallas. My responsibilities on this project included helping to ensure the work being put in place complies with our contract documents and clarifying aspects of the design as necessary through submission of submittals, RFIs and the implementation of our QAQC processes. Additionally, I continue to work on any pricing generated by design or field-driven changes from conceptualization to execution. Other than that, I work with my team to facilitate meetings, manage schedule and anything else we need in order to ensure the successful completion of this project.
Melissa Montiel: My day-to-day role includes managing submittals, RFIs, budget, change orders and material tracking logs. I’m currently getting started on a new emergency room expansion project in San Antonio.
Stephanie Ragsdale: As part of AP Gulf States’ marketing team, I get to wear a lot of different hats day-to-day. Some of my responsibilities include supporting internal and external events like project milestone celebrations and our annual charity golf tournament, as well as creating content for our social media, website and public relations efforts. I also respond to RFQs and RFPs to support AP in winning new work.
Christina Paraliticci: I get to see the fruits of my labor, not just on paper, but in a tangible fashion. I get to walk around and see it grow. And it challenges me because I’m always learning something new. The fact that I get to wear jeans every day is pretty great too.
Courtney Lane: No two days are ever the same. Each project is unique in its challenges and goals, the personalities on the job, and each provides a multitude of different learning experiences. I also appreciate that AP involves us in the development of the company’s practices, processes and goals.
Melissa Montiel: For me, the best part is bonding with my team throughout a project.
Stephanie Ragsdale: It’s the same for me, I love the people I work with from our AP family to trade partners and clients. I also love the variety in my day-to-day job. Sometimes it’s a fine art of juggling priorities but I am never lacking new challenges.
Sheryl Cadaret: Supporting the Gulf States team and seeing my efforts positively impact the business brings me a great deal of satisfaction.
Sheryl Cadaret: A challenging project for me involved developing reports that analyze the Gulf States warehouse system. It’s been rewarding to support the effort and see the team reach its yearly profit targets. An unexpected benefit has been learning about the company’s big equipment operations utilized on project sites. What began as an intimidating unknown has turned into a very interesting, dynamic and energizing project.
Courtney Lane: An ongoing challenge for me is finding the balance between being effective and not being perceived as officious. It’s far too easy for a tough conversation to (inadvertently) lead to heightened emotions. Through experience, I’ve learned the best method to avoid escalation of a conversation by keeping it very matter of fact. It’s imperative to understand we can only control our conduct and reactions, not anyone else’s.
Melissa Montiel: I experienced a significant challenge with a superintendent who didn’t pull his weight on the job. It allowed me the opportunity to step out and manage the job site as a field engineer. After this assignment, I earned a promotion to assistant superintendent by ensuring our team stuck together, picked up the slack and successfully completed the job.
Stephanie Ragsdale: Last year was my first time managing the AP Charity Golf Classic, in which we sold out the tournament sponsorships for the first time, which was a big accomplishment. I’m proud of what I learned throughout the process and of the teamwork involved in making it such a success. It was heartwarming to play an integral role in helping AP much a substantial contribution to the community through our final donations.
Christina Paraliticci: It’s been my experience that women on job sites are assumed to be either the architect, the safety manager or a lower-ranking member of the operations team. We are seldom assumed to be the ones in charge or the ones with the answers. I wouldn’t say it is only men who make this assumption. I will catch myself being surprised when I meet a woman walking the job and she introduces herself as the superintendent or the foreman or the senior project manager. It isn’t always a malicious assumption, either. I would say it’s an unconscious bias that has deep roots in the industry; like a weed we have to keep pulling up. As more women join the industry, we will see less of those weeds pop up again.
Stephanie Ragsdale: I agree with Christina that there’s unintended bias about women in construction. We have many examples of women here at AP who are excelling, leading and contributing significantly to AP’s success in the office and in the field.
Courtney Lane: While it’s great to be recognized, I think most women in the field simply want to be seen as equals and not necessarily draw attention to the fact that they’re any different than men performing the same work.
Melissa Montiel: I would say a common misconception is that women aren’t physically strong enough to handle the work associated with the construction industry. But I have seen women in the field outworking men!
Sheryl Cadaret: A general misconception might be that women cannot learn construction, but I collaborate daily with intelligent women who are driven and more than capable of learning anything and performing very well.
Sheryl Cadaret: AP has always been focused on safety; however, I am excited that owners are requiring a commitment to safety specific to the project.
Courtney Lane: The industry’s openness to exploring different perspectives and leaving behind the mantra of ‘it’s always been done this way,’ providing more opportunities to discover or share new approaches to challenges.
Melissa Montiel: Labor shortages.
Stephanie Ragsdale: Melissa is spot on. Labor shortages can have a big impact on the bottom line. During my two years in construction, I’ve learned how valuable skilled trades are and how critical it is to encourage future generations to consider pursuing alternative career paths that don’t necessarily involve a four-year degree. Working in higher education, I’ve seen the value of college preparing young people for successful careers, but it is not the only way to prepare for a meaningful profession.
Sheryl Cadaret: I believe the most effective way to attract other women to construction is to see and meet women in the industry. Identifying with women in construction will help remove the barriers/misconceptions about the profession.
Christina Paraliticci: Construction is an industry with both job diversity and job security. From pouring concrete to plumbing or electrical, opportunities exist without requiring a degree. Demolition or ground-up construction, building a school or a baseball stadium; this field allows individuals to climb the ladder through hard work and learning skills on the job. It’s an industry that teaches you to approach problem-solving in many ways. There’s no other industry like it; it’s challenging but rewarding. It is also an industry where you can start anywhere and end up leading a team or an entire region.
Courtney Lane: Christina is right, I think those meant for the industry will find their way if they’re motivated. In recent years, we have seen more exposure and advocacy through early introduction into our education systems, which I feel is a great start.
Melissa Montiel: Demonstrating that it’s not always a dirty job; there are roles in BIM, estimating and more.
Stephanie Ragsdale: I don’t think there’s one magic solution, but I think it’s about little things like encouraging an interest in STEM among girls from a young age. Combine that with being more strategic in showing the different facets of a career in construction can offer. It’s not all cranes and bulldozers!
Sheryl Cadaret: I love the outdoors. I’ve hiked the Tuckerman Ravine Trail on Mount Washington and feel like my happiest place is kayaking. As a caregiver for my parents, I have less free time, but I still love to contribute to charities focused on animals and children. A recognition I treasure is the Gulf States Office MVP, which was awarded to me in December. It was an impactful moment to feel that kind of appreciation.
Courtney Lane: I have two rescue dogs, Blue and Lollipop, and am passionate about the need for adoptions rather than purchasing pets. Adopt don’t shop!
Melissa Montiel: I love to play in volleyball tournaments!
Stephanie Ragsdale: I dabble in calligraphy; I’ve always loved creating and crafting. Additional hats I wear outside of work include wife, stepmom and dog mom.
While it is only a week each year, AP honors these team members who contribute so much to the fabric of our company and realize that WIC is something we recognize year-round. WIC week allows us to celebrate their accomplishments and show our appreciation while spotlighting their efforts and achievements.
