Inaugural Executive Seminar Builds Women’s Careers
BY Sandy Lender
Leadership seminar at Astec headquarters benefits women in asphalt careers
With seven presenters in addition to an opening welcome from Astec, Inc., CEO Jaco van de Merwe, the Women of Asphalt Executive Seminar sponsored by Astec offered a variety of education and inspiration for attendees in Chattanooga Nov. 7-8, 2024. Registration was free to up to 50 women in the asphalt industry and provided an opportunity for networking and career growth.
James M. “Jay” Winford Jr., PhD, PE, CEO of Prairie Contractors LLC was the keynote speaker. Renegar said, “One could not listen to his story without wanting to be a part of this industry.”
“Several of the presentations were women telling their story about their career path in the asphalt industry,” said Greg Renegar, vice president of customer success for Astec. He presented “Legacy of Asphalt Innovation” on the second day of the seminar. “It was informative in that it exposed the attendees to roles that they might not have been aware of, and the stories were inspiring. And by inspiring, I don’t mean it made everyone feel good; they told about when they ‘paid their dues’ in the industry, when their job was hard, but they persevered. There are opportunities for women in the construction industry, but there are no free rides. One still must work hard to advance. I think this is true in most industries. Folks need to hear what it takes and to also hear what rewards await those who persevere.”
Renegar’s presentation began with the fact women make up 47% of the workforce, but only 11% of the construction industry. “Everyone in the construction industry struggles with finding good employees. The solution is sitting in front of us.”
Among the attendees and presenters was WofA 2024 President Sheila Barkevich, the Northeast division performance manager for CRH Americas Materials. She also spoke of the value the women’s stories brought to the seminar. “I found it incredibly inspiring to hear the career stories of others in the industry,” Barkevich shared. “Listening to their experiences and achievements has given me a renewed sense of confidence in my own career path. It’s always uplifting to see how others have navigated their journeys and to learn from their successes and challenges.”
Between presentations of the inaugural Women of Asphalt Executive Seminar, attendees had ample opportunity to network with presenters, each other and Astec personnel. CRH’s Sheila Barkevich shared, “Overall, the seminar stood out for its unique combination of elements and the exceptional effort of the Astec team. I’m confident that the knowledge and inspiration gained from this event will have a lasting positive impact on everyone who attended.”
Key Learning Points, Outcomes
Alicia Brooks, the construction manager, KCI Technologies, Inc., shared one of the key takeaways from the event for her was the message of being authentic. “All of the presentations had an underlying if not blatant capacity of bringing your true self to your work space,” Brooks shared. “It is okay to show yourself in your work and successes. You can be successful being an individual in the workplace not fronting as a successful male persona.”
Barkevich shared, “As long as I have been in the industry, I had never read about the full history of asphalt. Richard Schreck’s presentation [History of the Asphalt Industry] was interesting and a great learning experience for me.”
Mandy Neese, the vice president of Atlanta Paving and Concrete Construction Inc., said, “[c]onnecting with other women in the industry who shared similar struggles and successes was a boost to my confidence. Building a network of women who truly understand and relate to one another has been incredibly empowering.”
Catherine Sutton-Choate, director of product documentation and environmental compliance for Astec, presented “WOA Oceans to Asphalt Plants.”
Network of Peers
The event offered inspiration in another way—it gave the women in attendance a chance to network among their peers.
“I was among the majority instead of the minority,” Brooks shared. “I felt like I was part of a group not just trying to fit in. It’s amazing how much more you can get from an event’s purpose when you’re not trying to balance the periphery of having to also ‘be one of the guys.’”
Atlanta Paving’s Mandy Neese found the presentation from Mary Robbins, PhD, PE, director of technical services for the Pennsylvania Asphalt Pavement Association (pictured above) to have great impact. “Her presentation was the one I enjoyed the most; She is mind-blowing intelligent,” Neese said.
“The event was a perfect blend of learning, motivational stories and unwavering support,” Barkevich shared. “The environment was not only educational but also uplifting, creating a strong sense of community among attendees. The Astec employees played a significant role in enhancing our experience. They couldn’t have been more helpful! Despite this not being their typical audience for training or factory tours, they tailored their presentations to us with great finesse. They managed to convey their insights without ever talking down to the group, which made the sessions feel both respectful and engaging.”