I Build America – Ohio is dedicated to celebrating the women of construction. Women are a vital part of our industry, and there are female leaders at all levels of construction work. From foreman to company owners and executives, construction wouldn’t be the industry it is without its female employees. Join us and our partners in celebrating the success of women within your own company and across the nation during National Women in Construction Week 2023.
Name: Staci
Company: Ohio CAT
Title/Position: Service Coordinator
Years in Construction: I have been involved with construction since I met my husband 7 years ago in 2016 and I’ve now been with Ohio CAT since 2020.
What was your path to a career in construction?
I wasn’t looking to get involved with construction work but after meeting my husband, I started to help him with his excavation business. At first, I would just help with checking the grading on the job site and taking care of office details. As time went on, I started to help work on machines as a “mechanic” as well as fuel them up for him, which meant I had to learn how to operate them. I can now help on jobsites with pushing dirt, tracking with the sheep’s foot and fueling, maintenance, and the cleaning of machines. We started with one 955K loader and have grown to have a D7F dozer, a D6D dozer, three 955 loaders, a backhoe, and bobcat.
What do you like most about working in construction?
First for me, it’s being able to work with my husband and build our dreams together. Second, it’s seeing the project progress from start to finish and seeing the customers be happy with the final product!
What would you love to see for the future of women in construction?
If you have a dream to be in construction, no matter what age, it’s just not for men. I hope women will follow their passion if it involves construction and find ways to get started in the industry.
If you were to give young women (high schoolers) advice about beginning a career in construction, what would you say?
Don’t let anyone stop you from chasing your dream in the construction business. It’s a field that can include everyone and there are countless ways to get involved. Find a job that best fits your skills and interests. Learn and take in everything that you can from the mechanics of the machines all the way to the operation of them. Be a sponge and soak up all the knowledge there is to learn on the jobsite and ask questions. You could own your own business one day!
