For Women in Construction Week (March 1-7, 2020), and Women’s History Month (March), NAWIC Philadelphia Chapter 145 and GBCA are spotlighting several women in our industry. Scroll down to learn more about some of the women from All Trades Distribution, Geppert Bros., INTECH Construction, LF Driscoll, Mid-Atlantic Steel, Old Philadelphia Associates, and Shoemaker Construction Co.
Melissa R. Boulden, P.E., LEED AP BD+C
V.P. of Project Development / Director of Engineering
Mid-Atlantic Steel, LLC
13+ years in construction/engineering
How and why did you pursue a career in construction?
I have always excelled in math and science and have been fascinated with bridges and buildings since I was a young kid, which is what primarily led me to a career in engineering/construction. However, I believe my love for steel construction stems from growing up around a family owned business and seeing the pride my father had in Mid-Atlantic Steel/East Coast Erector’s work. I grew up driving by job sites and inspecting every building they fabricated and erected, which I always thought was really neat. As I got older, I realized I loved math and science and enjoyed puzzles and solving problems, which further reinforced my decision to pursue civil engineering and eventually structural steel.
What is one of your favorite past or current projects?
STAR Tower at the STAR Campus, University of Delaware. I was fortunate enough to get to work on the design of this 10-story tower during my career in the engineering industry and then get to build it upon my transition into the steel construction industry! Being associated with both the design team and, subsequently, the steel fabrication/erection allowed me the unique opportunity to interact extensively with the construction manager and owner during preconstruction planning/inception through the project completion. It was incredibly rewarding to see the design come to life and really be part of this process.
How are you helping to attract or recruit women to the industry?
I have participated in women in engineering events and ACE mentoring to help inform and mentor young women. I have had a few young women shadow me, which I always enjoy. I also make an effort to network with other female professionals to build strong relationships and awareness for our company and industry.
Vicki W. Lee
President
Old Philadelphia Associates, Inc.
32 years in construction
How and why did you pursue a career in construction?
I graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and received my Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Cabrini University. I always had interests in architecture and painting. Later, I was able to translate those artistic talents and business skills into construction.
What is one of your favorite past or current projects?
My favorite project was the Granite Frieze Relocation and Preservation that we completed in 2001 in partnership with the US Army Corps of Engineers. The frieze depicts U.S. soldiers marching towards the front lines in World War I. We removed the 2-ton historic granite frieze from the façade of the former headquarters of the Defense Supply Center and moved it to its new home at the Naval Activity Support Command in Philadelphia. The process involved strategic planning, demolition, removal of existing frieze, packaging, protection, transportation, reconstruction of the void on the existing building, and erecting an architectural concrete wall to commemorate the frieze. Upon completion of the project, our team was honored at the opening ceremony.
How are you helping to attract or recruit women to the industry?
Whenever I meet talented and driven women in the construction industry, I always encourage them to start their own business. In my field there are a lot of successful woman owned companies. However, recruiting women workers in the field is still lacking behind in the masonry restoration business, but I hope to see those numbers increase in the future.
Iliana Limon, Project Manager
Shoemaker Construction Co.
19 years in construction
How and why did you pursue a career in construction?
Since I can remember, I wanted to be around construction. I loved drawing, math, buildings, and bridges, so I thought about pursuing a career in architecture or civil engineering. While at Drexel University, I had a part-time job as a Field Engineer and being on a project site made me decide that I definitely wanted to be in construction I the field. So here I am almost 20 years later.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your career?
Working with different types of teams, bringing them together for a common goal; and having a tangible product you can see as you drive by and say, “I built that”. Nowadays, it’s, “Hey kids, look, Mommy built that!”
How are you helping to attract or recruit women to the industry?
Being part of a few non-profit organizations and getting involved in pre-college programs allows me to introduce students, young women, to what I do and my background. In being excited about what we do and passionate about our work, I hope to show more women to be encouraged to study Architecture, Engineering and Construction Management.
Brenda Matias-Falco
Founder-Owner
All Trades Distribution
6 years in construction
How and why did you pursue a career in construction?
After reaching my goal of obtaining my MBA in Business Management, I always knew I wanted to own a business. With my background working with the Philadelphia Housing Authority and my husband’s field construction experience, I learned a lot about the Construction Industry. I knew that I would be able to provide value and service in the construction industry that would also be rewarding. In 2014, I made the discussion to begin the process of establishing my company.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your career?
As a natural introvert, I tend to do my best work alone. However, due to the many challenges and ever-changing process in construction, along with the strong personalities in the field, I find myself embracing an extrovert side of me that never existed before.
What is one of your favorite past or current projects?
Penn Medicine’s The Pavilion: Penn Medicine Hospital holds a special place in my heart. To have an opportunity to be a part of constructing a building that will change so many peoples lives in the future is very rewarding. Penn has changed my fathers life for the better after a kidney transplant a few years back and I hope to have the same opportunity at Penn as well in the near future.
Colleen Mills, LEED GA
Senior Project Manager
INTECH Construction, LLC
20 years in construction, after 4 years in architecture
How and why did you pursue a career in construction?
My career began in architecture during and immediately following college, mostly due to my love for art and the satisfaction of pulling numerous puzzle pieces together to create a single structure/building from those pieces while adding my own flavor to the design. I wanted to follow this passion and have a hand in the construction of these structures as they went from paper to an actual building that serves the people within it. It’s hard to put into words the joy one gets from taking that piece of paper and making it come alive. Consistently being out on a jobsite and witnessing buildings being built is awe-inspiring.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your career?
To see all of the hard work put forth from the team come together to deliver a functional and meaningful project to a satisfied client. Once complete, we have something to be proud of. Sometimes these projects change the landscape over time and give us a story to tell about what it took to make that happen. This often reminds me of the quote from Walt Disney, when he stated, “You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.”
How are you helping to attract or recruit women to the industry?
As a personal promise to myself to help recruit, I make various efforts to spread the word to the upcoming generations. Some ways in which I make this happen are attending career fairs at high schools and colleges to relay the message to these students of how viable this career choice is and what it takes to be successful. I am also an adjunct college professor in construction management at Jefferson University where I have the privilege of teaching young women (and men) about the behind the scenes/real-world experiences in construction before they set off in a lifelong career; the more realistically prepared they are, the better they will be for the entire industry. Lastly, I have been invited to sit on multiple diversity panels to present and answer questions to women who have expressed interest in this industry. It is rewarding to discuss with others the satisfaction that this career brings.
Kristin Pelusi
Safety Officer
Geppert Bros. Inc.
6 years in construction
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your career?
Everyone coming together and working as a team. I’m rewarded when at the end of the day everyone leaves the way they came in to go home to their respective families, and return the next day to do it all over again.
I also facilitate, schedule, and run our weekly “5 Guys Lunch” at our ongoing projects at the Merck West Point Facility. During these lunches with our employees, safety officers, and general contractors. I’m able to interact with the individuals directly involved with the project and internally review with them any potential safety concerns/risks as we formulate and continue to evolve our plan of approach. Due to a smaller setting than a traditional standard safety stand-down meeting, it allows for a much more open and organic flow of dialogue between all parties involved.
What is one of your favorite past or current projects?
Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Queen Lane Apartment Implosion. It was the first large scale project I had been to, let alone worked on. It was amazing to witness the meticulous coordination that goes on behind the scenes in order to safely implode a structure in Philadelphia PA. The public only ever really witnesses those final 10 seconds or less when it comes to an implosion, when in reality it was months of planning/prep work/and the eventual cleanup work that followed.
How are you helping to attract or recruit women to the industry?
I’ve had women approach me on numerous occasions in the field or while I was driving trucks simply because they wanted to ask questions on how or why a woman is sitting behind the wheel or in a hardhat. Many start off by saying they’d be scared to do construction work but have always wanted to try it. I always take a moment to remind them that you can do whatever you set your mind to and that it’s about time that women pursue whatever our dreams may be career wise. The only thing holding us back anymore is us.
Saege Steele
PennFIRST Economic Opportunity Plan & Controls Manager
LF Driscoll
15 years in construction with LF Driscoll
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your career?
All of it! The people, the projects, and the opportunities to get involved. I love every minute of it! There are so many aspects to building. Every day is an education.
What is one of your favorite past or current projects?
I’ve enjoyed working on every project, but Penn Medicine’s Pavilion is special. Why? It’s huge! But the job never takes over the people. The talent is incredible. Leadership on so many levels. It is a lot of work, but you love to do it. Enjoying working with your co-workers really helps!
How are you helping to attract or recruit women to the industry?
As EOP manager, I’ve worked on or organized a pre-apprenticeship program, Women in Construction tours, PIDC workshops, and other events designed to attract women. I do my best to take opportunities to get out in the community to get more women involved.
