“The industry has come a long way from being a male dominated department. There are now more women who are out in the field.”

How long have you worked at Cell-Crete?

I first joined in 1987, then left in 1991 to raise my kids. I came back to work in 1998 and have been back working full time since.

How did you get started in this industry?

I was actually brought in to work for Cell-Crete by my mom, she used to work here. I started off as a Sales Assistant, my role helped with bid proposals and sending literature to architects. My mom was in payroll, dispatching and billing, the Hayward office was small back then, so she took on various roles.

What has your career looked like up until now?

I was a Sales Assistant, then worked my way up through payroll and accounts payable. I was asked to step into the position of dispatcher/production scheduler when the role opened up. At first, I was extremely nervous when asked to move from payroll to scheduling. I didn’t have a construction background and I hadn’t even been to a project site yet, there was a lot I didn’t know. Since then, I have learned so much and I continue to learn every day. I really like my job, the role keeps me busy and on my toes. 

What has surprised you the most about being a woman in construction?

The volume of women that are now in this field. There are so many more women out there managing projects from beginning to end than in the past.

Are there any common myths or misconceptions about women working in construction that you’d like to address?

I think women can do anything men can do. Women tend to multitask really well and are capable of doing the roles that are traditionally male dominated.

How has the industry changed since you joined?
When I stepped into the industry, I used to deal with women in payroll and who were vendors. Now I work with women who are project managers and superintendents. The construction industry has come a long way from being a male dominated department. There are now more women who are out in the field.

What is a typical day like for you on the job?

A typical day for me includes talking with contractors to schedule their jobs and helping crews deal with any issues they may experience on the job site. I work with superintendents all day; they are all great people and make my job enjoyable. In addition, I oversee the office, answering any and all questions. Everyone always comes to me with their questions since I’ve been here for so long. Currently, I am also assisting in training a new superintendent. At this point work is like second nature for me. 

What do you enjoy most about working at Cell-Crete?

In this job there is always something different every day and I love learning about new things, such as techniques or products. The interaction I have with the crew and superintendents is also an enjoyable part of my job, I have established great rapport with them.

Do you have a favorite project that you’ve worked on here at Cell-Crete?

I can’t name one because there have been so many great projects. Whether a project is enjoyable to work on comes down to the superintendent, when they are fantastic the job just flows like a piece of cake.

Do you have any advice or tips for other women in this industry?

I would say to really apply yourself in the position you are in. It’s important to learn as much as you can in your role to be successful. I would also tell other women to not be afraid to stand up for themselves and be assertive.

What kinds of things do you like to do in your free time outside of work?

Outside of work you can find me hanging out with my husband and our two dogs. My husband and I love to take trips to Disneyland, Disneyworld and to State Parks (we have a State Parks bucket list!).