Ann Dallas Project Coordinator |Hatzel & Buehler
How many years have you worked in the industry? | 28 of the last 40 years….My first job in construction was on the Tower City Bridge Rehabilitation Project for the GC, Kiewit Eastern (Kiewit Corporation) back in 1985. I went on to work for the contractor that was awarded the asbestos removal contract for the next phase of the tower rehab project, N.E. Walsh Construction Co. I worked for them until I was 3 weeks late with my eldest son, Sam, in late June of 1988. At which point, I chose to be a stay-at-home mom for the next 12 years. |
Who or what has been the most influential in your career journey? | Probably the woman that told me I was not well suited for the vocational class I wanted to take in my junior year of high school. She told me I should go to college. The course was designed for students that were not “college material”. Despite my argument that I couldn’t afford to go to college, my application was denied. As a result, I decided rather than taking a half credit in health over the summer & graduating a year early, I would take a 1-year vocational course in Office Administration. Thank God I did because the skills I honed as a result of that class are what sustained my employment for the bulk of my career. |
What was your first job in construction and how did it shape your career path? | As I said, my first job in construction was with Kiewit at Tower City in downtown Cleveland. Kiewit was the General Contractor and in town specifically for that project. They started me off pricing and tracking Change Orders. In time, they offered me a permanent position as a field office manager which included travelling the country from job to job. I had already accepted the position… and then I met my husband who convinced me to stay in Cleveland. We went on to get married and had 3 children. |
What is a misconception that you think people still have about women in construction? | A lot of folks tend to equate construction careers with the physically demanding roles of many skilled tradespeople. It’s obvious that women have a disadvantage when it comes to the physical strength and power of their male counterparts in the field. However, there are so many different roles that comprise a construction project that are not as physically demanding where women make huge contributions in addition to roles in the skilled trades. Like any business, there are a lot of cogs in the wheel to ensure a project runs successfully including team members from the Operations, Estimating, Drafting/BIM, Accounting, Safety, Business Development Departments, etc. More and more of those roles are being filled by women every day in this industry. |
What strengths do you think women bring to the construction industry? | Women bring a unique perspective to what has primarily been a male dominant industry. I think that’s mainly because of our innate inclination to nurture. I think that when issues on a project (or in life) arise, the cerebral contrasts between men and women offer brainstorming opportunities and ideas that might not have previously been considered. |
What advice would you give other women that are considering or new to the construction industry? | • You don’t need a college degree to be successful in this industry. Some positions do require college degrees. However, with the right amount of determination, hard work, and a positive attitude, you can move your way up the ladder without one and it might take you less time if you apply yourself. |
What do you like to do when you're not on the job? | Spending time with my children, grandchildren, family, and friends. In the summer, I enjoy spending time outside and tinkering in my garden. I enjoy travelling but haven’t had much opportunity to do that for pleasure in a while. |