Women in Construction Week

What led you to a career in construction?

• Diane Howe, Senior Project Accountant: “I originally started my career in nursing, but a great opportunity in construction presented itself to me, and I decided to take the leap.”
• Taylor Tighe, Project Manager: “I’m a 5th generation in the construction industry. I always said I would never go into the industry growing up, but I ended up working for a Mechanical Contractor after college and have never looked back.”
• Annette Devore, Estimator: “I started as a receptionist for a General Contractor. The CEO asked me what I wanted to do in the company, and I told him I wanted to be an Estimator. I was promoted, given my first project to bid on, and learned as I went. I didn’t go to school for construction, but I’ve now been in the industry for 20 years.”
• Connie Barzangi, Project Manager: “Construction fell into my lap. My background was in science and research, but after buying a house and going through the renovation process, I realized how much I loved it. A friend encouraged me to sit in on some construction management classes, and the rest is history!”
• Kristen Casselberry, Safety Director: “A passion to help people and make a difference.”

How long have you been with Thomas, and what is your role?

• Diane Howe, Senior Project Accountant: “I’ve been with Thomas for almost three years, with a total of 25 years in Construction Management Accounting.”
• Taylor Tighe, Project Manager: “I’ve been with Thomas for almost two years as a Project Manager in the Healthcare group.”
• Annette Devore, Estimator: “Three years, and I work as an Estimator.”
• Connie Barzangi, Project Manager: “I have been with Thomas for 2.5 years and I am a Project Manager.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “One year, Safety Director.”

What do you love most about working in construction?

• Diane Howe: “Seeing the end use of projects I was remotely involved in and watching the growth of myself and my coworkers as we work on these projects.”
• Taylor Tighe: “Every day is different. There are so many unique challenges on each project, and I love problem-solving. I also love being in the field and seeing visual progress as a result of our hard work every day.”
• Annette Devore: “I love that I have a tangible result that I can see and touch at the end of each awarded project.”
• Connie Barzangi: “The constant change. Each day is different, and the ending is magical. The moment you hand over the keys to the building and witness what hundreds of people have been working toward for years is beyond rewarding.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “The ability to help people and come up with solutions that could save a life.”

Have you seen the industry evolve in terms of women’s representation? If so, how?

• Diane Howe: “The evolution of women being in the field and part of the building process has greatly changed. When I started over 25 years ago, women primarily worked in the office, not on job sites.”
• Taylor Tighe: “Yes! In my eight years in construction, I have seen so many more women in leadership and operational roles across the industry.”
• Annette Devore: “Absolutely. There are more women in roles like mine—Estimator, Project Manager, Preconstruction Director, and even in the field as Directors of Safety.”
• Connie Barzangi: “At both General Contractors I’ve worked for, women represented close to 50% of the Project Managers. It’s been great to learn from different backgrounds and styles.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “There are SO many more women in construction now than when I graduated. Especially at Thomas—we have the most women in construction that I have ever seen at one company!” 

What makes Thomas a great place for women in construction?

• Diane Howe: “At Thomas, there is a great deal of respect and inclusion. We are all given an opportunity to be heard and work through processes together.”
• Taylor Tighe: “There is so much room for growth and an excellent support system. I recently had a baby and have felt incredibly supported while learning to balance work and family life.”
• Annette Devore: “The culture. Thomas fosters an environment of one team, always supporting those who want to develop their skills and grow into leadership roles.”
• Connie Barzangi: “The culture is why I love working at Thomas. During my interview process, I felt welcomed in a way I hadn’t experienced elsewhere. That same welcoming culture is why I’m still here today.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “Thomas has one of the best cultures I have ever seen. We are supported by our executives and each other.”

How do you support or uplift other women in the industry?

• Diane Howe: “Sharing knowledge and experience—explaining the ‘whys’ instead of gatekeeping information so we can all grow together.”
• Taylor Tighe: “Every woman faces unique challenges in this industry, so just being a listening ear and offering advice when asked is the most important thing.”
• Annette Devore: “I try to be a positive influence by encouraging women to work hard for what they want and to be confident in their value to the company.”
• Connie Barzangi: “I love talking with young women about their questions or concerns. Transparency is so important, and we need to talk more about the good, the bad, and the ugly of this career.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “All of the women within Thomas support each other. I could call any of them at any time and know they would do anything to help.”

What advice would you give to young women considering a career in construction?

• Diane Howe: “Find your passion, find a good mentor (which may change as you grow), and always be willing to learn.”
• Taylor Tighe: “Don’t be intimidated! There is so much support for women in construction, and I’ve built lifelong connections. Build a support system early and lean on them as you learn.”
• Annette Devore: “If you want it, work for it. Don’t let the old stereotype that ‘it’s a man’s world’ hold you back from growing in this industry.”
• Connie Barzangi: “You don’t have to grow up in construction to succeed in it. Watch, listen, and get as much exposure as possible. Just because you weren’t introduced to construction as a kid doesn’t mean it’s not an option now.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “Go for it! It’s an incredible career where you get to see and learn so much. If you love to travel, there are many opportunities available. No two days are ever the same, and you can help people along the way.” 

How do you see the role of women in construction changing over the next 10 years?

• Diane Howe: “With companies like Thomas empowering the growth of female employees, we’ll see more leadership roles held by women.”
• Taylor Tighe: “I hope to see more women in the trades. Women are just as important in field positions as they are in the office.”
• Annette Devore: “More women will be in leadership roles—both in the office and in the field.”
• Connie Barzangi: “I hope to see more women in higher roles across construction sectors, bringing fresh perspectives to the same challenges our industry faces.”
• Kristen Casselberry: “I think it has continued to grow yearly. More and more women are seeing the value of a career in construction, and I expect that to continue.”

As we celebrate Women in Construction Week, we are Always Building the future and remain committed to providing opportunities for women to grow, lead, and continue to shape this industry.

Looking for a career in construction? Explore opportunities to work with us: https://thomasconstructiongroup.com/work-with-us/