Celebrating Women in Construction Week

Alex Golitz

Project Manager, Northern Pacific Region

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction?

It is a uniquely satisfying occupation where you are able to see the physical manifestation of your hard work realized. I love learning how things work and how all the pieces come together for each project.

What aspect of your role do you love the most?

I love the opportunity to solve new challenges. Every day is different than the last. I doubt I have worked a day in construction where I haven’t learned something new. I ask questions as often as I can.

What’s one construction myth you would like to bust?

Construction is for an unskilled or unmotivated labor force. In every project, it is astounding to see the ingenuity, drive and passion that goes into completing work to the McCarthy standard.

Name a woman in your life (past or present) who inspires you and why?

My first exposure to the construction industry was my next-door neighbor, Kris. She owns one of the premier construction management firms in Seattle, where I spent my first summer internship. I had a front row seat watching her build a successful business, raise a wonderful family and pursue her many passions. She has a quiet sense of confidence and never questions whether she can overcome a challenge. Instead, she asks how she can overcome a challenge in a way that will improve the lives of those who follow in her footsteps.

Randi Fronczek

Project Director, Southern Region

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? 

I’ve always been drawn to history, legacy and the idea of building things that outlast us. When you look at ancient monuments or great civic structures, you feel a connection to the people who imagined them and made them real. Construction is one of the few careers where your work can become part of a community’s story for generations. I wanted to be part of creating places that matter — places that become landmarks and serve people long after we’re gone. 

What’s one thing you actively do to ensure you are growing your skills and your career? 

I try to stay in a constant learning mindset. I’m always looking for new tools, better approaches and lessons I can pick up from the people around me, whether that’s a trade partner, a young engineer or a seasoned superintendent. Construction is a team sport and there’s always something to learn if you’re willing to listen. 

What’s one construction myth you would like to bust? 

That women don’t have the temperament to work in construction or handle conflict. In reality, women often bring a different — and incredibly effective — approach to problem-solving and conflict resolution. We tend to de-escalate, listen first and find solutions that bring people together. That doesn’t make us less effective. It often leads to better outcomes for the team and the project. 

What is a secret talent you have that your colleagues at work don’t know about yet? 

I’m pretty much an open book, so there aren’t many secrets. Outside of work, I’m an avid gardener and love adventure travel. And while it may not be obvious, I’ve learned that parenting and project management use many of the same skills — patience, communication and adaptability — and they seem to work in just about any high-stress environment. 

Kelli Manegre

Marketing Manager, Central Region

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? 

Honestly, construction was the last place I thought I’d end up, but I’m so glad I stumbled into the AEC industry. Seeing the opportunities in marketing and the chance to build a community with other industry professionals truly inspired me. 

What aspect of your role do you love the most? 

I love my team and the chance to collaborate with so many people across the company. In pursuits, I get to work with a variety of teams — from business development to operations —  and I’m surrounded by incredibly talented peers who constantly inspire me to grow. 

What’s one thing you actively do to ensure you are growing your skills and your career? 

I never stop learning! Whether it’s mastering a new Adobe skill or understanding more about a project, I try to absorb as much knowledge as possible from everyone around me. 

What’s one construction myth you would like to bust? 

That marketing isn’t essential in construction. It’s not just hard hats and cranes. Effective marketing, from social media to proposals, is critical to winning work and shaping the industry. 

Krista Reel

Executive Assistant, Southern Pacific Region

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? 

My dad. He was a superintendent for a paving subcontractor for most of my childhood, and he used to take me to check on some of his projects on nights and weekends when they were pouring concrete. I thought it was so cool that he had a walkie-talkie in his truck and that he got to be around heavy equipment. Mostly, I just loved feeling like we were bonding and that I could understand his work “lingo.” 

I really didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up, so when I was searching for my first full-time job, I applied to and was hired at a residential framing company, which eventually led to me working at McCarthy. The environment felt instantly familiar to me and the pace was exciting. I was hooked from the jump.

What’s one construction myth you would like to bust? 

That for women to garner success and advancement in this industry, it has to be “all or nothing,” and that balance is only achieved by giving up a portion of who you are or surrendering autonomy over the timing of your life plans. You can build a meaningful career in construction without sacrificing your identity, your balance or the milestones that matter to you outside of work. 

Name a woman in your life (past or present) who inspires you and why? 

Virginia Brown, an executive at one of the largest mechanical contractors in SoCal. From the first interaction I had with her on a project we both worked on, she had a presence that immediately garnered respect from everyone on the jobsite, and that respect was never called into question. Seeing her on the jobsite inspired how I wanted to operate and how I wanted to be received by my peers and partners. To this day, I think about how she navigated the challenges of our work environment and I still draw from her example. 

Teagan Crabb

Self-Perform Product Owner, Southwest Region

What inspired you to pursue a career in construction? 

My father owned a construction company when I was growing up and I thought when I grew up, I would take over the family business someday. However, the business didn't survive the recession.  Still, the love of construction didn't fade with that.  I always wanted to be on the other side of the fence when I passed by construction projects and I wanted to know how all the pieces went together to go from a plot of land to something grand.  It has been an extremely rewarding career path.  

What aspect of your role do you love the most? 

I love solving problems and helping others find more efficient ways to complete tasks. The best feeling comes from helping someone move from feeling stuck and frustrated to confident and energized once the roadblock is removed, and they realize they can overcome the challenge. 

What’s one construction myth you would like to bust? 

That construction is not a "career," it is just a job.  In particular, the idea that working in the trades are not a feasible long-term career.  There are countless examples of highly successful individuals whose career started as a laborer or apprentice.  

Name a woman in your life (past or present) who inspires you and why? 

My late grandmother.  She was the monarch of our family and a force to be reconned with.  She chose career paths that had virtually no women in technical roles and then excelled at them. From being the only female chemist at a steel company to operating her own business to running for office, she demonstrated you can do anything you set your mind to do. Regardless of how much the odds are stacked against you. 

Jen Daeumler

Quality Operations Senior Analyst, McCarthy Holdings, Inc.

What’s one thing you actively do to ensure you are growing your skills and your career? 

I’m constantly asking my Ops partners questions and making time to walk our jobs. Because I don’t have a construction background, I’m very intentional about learning as much as I can. Our regional quality directors, managers and superintendents are a huge source of knowledge. Any chance I get to learn from them is exciting.  

What’s one construction myth you would like to bust? 

That choosing a career in the skilled trades is somehow a “second-best” option compared to the traditional college route. For craft professionals, stepping into an apprenticeship right after high school is a powerful, forward-thinking choice. Here in Missouri, we’re fortunate to have excellent apprenticeship programs that help people build rewarding, stable careers early in life. 

Name a woman in your life (past or present) who inspires you and why? 

My grandma was a member of Local 688 here in St. Louis and the first female shop steward at her factory in the 1970s. She later joined the National Organization for Women and inspired my mom — and then me — to be strong, independent and willing to speak up. She passed away before I joined McCarthy, but when my mom sees photos from a jobsite, she always says, “Grandma would be so proud.” 

What is a secret talent you have that your colleagues at work don’t know about yet? 

I’ve been doing lifestyle photography for a few years and love capturing authentic, emotion-filled moments. It’s an artistic outlet for me outside of my very data-driven career.