Meet A Woman of Asphalt: Triple A Milling’s Amanda Harrington
BY Sandy Lender
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Promote from within! After an early career driving trucks, this woman of asphalt seized the opportunity to run heavy equipment.
Since 2021, Amanda Harrington has worked as a float driver, skid steer operator and milling machine operator for Triple A Milling, headquartered in Concord, Ontario. She joined the construction industry in 2019 after a decade driving trucks, so her skills translated perfectly into the role of transporting machines from site to site. But Harrington had her eye on doing more and increasing her responsibilities. In 2023, when Triple A was short on operators—as most contractors can sympathize with—Owner Andrew Alfano gave her the opportunity to try her hand at learning to operate the mill. She enjoyed that and jumped at the chance to learn new skills. Triple A has five sizes of cold planers from the Wirtgen Group and Harrington has a comfort level with the W 150 mid-size machine specifically. She recently took some time to share her story and encourage others as a woman of asphalt.
AsphaltPro: You shared that you were a truck driver for 10 years before moving into the asphalt industry. Could you share with the readers what attracted you away from truck driving and into the asphalt/construction industry?
Amanda Harrington: I started out my truck driving career as most drivers do—hauling freight in a dry van or a reefer van. I quickly discovered that sitting behind the wheel all day staring out the windshield was not mentally or physically stimulating enough for me. I have always enjoyed learning new skills/roles and welcome challenges that push me out of my comfort zone. So when the long-haul gig became a lesson in what not to do, and what I did not want to do, I started looking for something else. Through the years I have driven a variety of different types of trucks with many applications. A good portion of my career was in the solid waste industry, and when I felt I had learned and experienced all that I could in that industry, I got a job at a road construction company. After the first few weeks of driving water trucks and dump trucks, my boss gave me the opportunity to learn how to drive the lowbed truck to transport our equipment to and from job sites. I absolutely loved learning how to run and load and unload the equipment, how to chain the different pieces, and to drive with an oversize load. I felt like I was getting to “play” every day at work, and after my nerves settled, felt very much at home in the construction industry.
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Amanda Harrington shared one of her best practices for career advancement: “I made a point to be present on the job site, available to help in any way that I could when needed.” She asked questions and showed interest in the various roles available at Triple A Milling, Concord, Ontario; she turned a shortage of mill operators into an opportunity to learn and grow.
AsphaltPro: What physical and soft skills from the truck driving experience did you find yourself transferring to your role in the construction industry early on?
Amanda Harrington: You definitely have to have a certain amount of stamina to work in seasonal road construction. As anybody who works in it knows, the days are long and the summer heat can be unbearable, so it takes a lot, mentally and physically, to keep going and push through. My friends often ask me how I do it, and I reply, “I have no idea!”
Communication is crucial—it can make or break your day. Time management, work ethic, prioritization, multi-tasking, attention to detail, adaptability, problem solving, being able to work as part of a team—they all matter.
AsphaltPro: Could you tell the readers what you found most valuable about your first job as a lowbed driver in the asphalt industry?
Amanda Harrington: Being a lowbed driver gave me additional skills and showcased that I was capable of being a versatile and valuable employee. It also gave me a great confidence boost and proved to me that I am quite capable of doing this type of work and doing it well. It ultimately led me to where I am now and opened the door for me to become an operator.
AsphaltPro: Could you share with the readers what your different roles as a lowbed driver, skid steer operator, and milling machine operator generally require of you for the Triple A Milling team?
Amanda Harrington: It requires that I am consistent and reliable and to give my best effort to show up ready to complete the job—some days this is more challenging than others. I would also say that this is where those soft skills that I previously mentioned come into play.
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Whether night or day, Harrington takes operation of the mill seriously. The mid-size W 150 mill from Wirtgen Group is one with which she has the greatest comfort level due to its ease of visibility. She shared that filling the grindings into the truck comes more easily with this machine than the larger W 220 for her thanks to its conveyor width and operator controls.
AsphaltPro: Then what are some of your daily responsibilities when it comes to operating the milling machine specifically?
Amanda Harrington: The majority of the time I am responsible for transporting our mill to the jobsite. While on the jobsite my role is to operate, which entails completing a daily inspection and report, moving and steering the machine, controlling the conveyor belt to load the dump trucks, signaling and directing the dump truck driver, controlling the speed of the machine’s travel, staying in constant communication (verbal, eye contact, hand signals) with my gradesman, assisting with checking/replacing teeth in the drum, watching for/marking manholes, catchbasins or any other items we need to avoid in the asphalt or concrete, washing the machine down at the end of the day, and refilling the water tank and other fluids when necessary. Also, communicating with the mechanics regarding any necessary repairs and maintenance.
AsphaltPro: You mentioned the opportunity to run the mill came about due to the shortage of workers at your company. Could you share with the readers a little more about how that opportunity presented itself and how you approached Andrew Alfano to volunteer for the job?
Amanda Harrington: In my second season working at Triple A Milling, I learned how to load and unload our larger milling machines by myself, and once I was comfortable doing that, I voiced my desire to learn how to operate. I was told I had to learn how to operate the skid steer and sweep behind the machine first to understand what the finished outcome was supposed to look like. So I spent the better part of my second season in a skid steer as well as transporting our equipment. At the beginning of my third season, unfortunately (but fortunately for me) we were short a handful of mill operators, so my boss took me under his wing and gave me the opportunity to start learning how to operate.
AsphaltPro: What training/experience did you have prior to taking on operating the mill?
Amanda Harrington: The only prior experience with the mills was from loading/unloading them on and off my trailer and moving them around in the yard or at the jobsite. Also, my experience driving various trucks and machines from my 14 years as a truck driver.
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AsphaltPro: What training did Triple A offer once you showed interest?
Amanda Harrington: It has all been on the job training. There are different techniques and approaches for different types of jobs, for example, a parking lot with a lot of curbs and islands versus mainline work on highways. So, I would watch the operators to see how they did things when I was on site with them as a driver or while in the skid steer, paying attention to things they did and when they did them. I made a point to be present on the job site, available to help in any way that I could when needed, asked questions, showed interest.
AsphaltPro: What about operating the milling machine is “most cool” to you?
Amanda Harrington: So many things come to mind! Being able to maneuver a large machine safely and accurately, when you get into a zone and everything is going as it is supposed to, milling a next to perfectly straight pass (not easy to do!), when you look back at the pattern left behind and it’s clean and consistent, when you and your gradesman become in tune and you can pull off some pretty technical and complicated maneuvers without stopping and with minimal discussion. The machine itself is incredibly impressive. And this is pure ego, but I think being one of only four women (that I know of) in North America that operate a milling machine is pretty cool.
AsphaltPro: You mentioned the W 150 is the machine you had the chance to operate most often. Could you share with readers what is most comfortable about that equipment for you compared to other models that Triple A has in its fleet?
Amanda Harrington: The W 150 is what I have had the most time on, which is why I feel most comfortable on it. There is far more visibility around the W 150 compared to the larger models like the W 220. The conveyor is narrower, which allows you to easily see into the back of the dump truck, whereas the conveyor on the W 220 is much wider and obstructs most of your view. The conveyors have cameras, which helps, but I definitely still find it challenging to load a dump truck “nicely” with a W 220.
My approach to learning is to hold my breath and just do it. I try different techniques and see what works the best for me, take my time until I get the hang of something new, watch what other operators do and ask questions.
AsphaltPro: As a subcontractor with a variety of mill sizes, Triple A gets to work on a variety of projects. You mentioned government jobs for the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO), bridge decks, parking lots, as a few. What is your favorite type of project to work on and what makes that intriguing to you?
Amanda Harrington: I do enjoy the jobs that are not so straight forward, that require more thought and more attention. For me, these jobs are usually gas stations, which are a great type of job to learn on, but they can also be frustrating. There are a few of us that I would say have a love/hate sentiment for gas stations!
But so far my favorite job was when we worked on the Canadian side of the Blue Water Bridge between Sarnia, Ontario and Port Huron, Michigan. Besides having a beautiful view all day, we managed to mill 7,800 square meters (84,000 square feet) in one day. It was also a memorable job for me because it was on this bridge where I felt my confidence grew substantially.
AsphaltPro: What do you think is the most important skill you’ve brought to your position as an equipment operator in the asphalt industry? And how would you encourage other women entering the industry to hone a similar skill?
Amanda Harrington: My attention to detail and ability to learn and take direction. You have to learn what the machine is supposed to sound like, feel like, look like and sometimes even smell (or not smell) like in whatever function it is performing. These are large, complicated and expensive toys, so the more in tune with it you are, the better it is for everyone, and I believe that is one of my strong suits. If anyone is interested in becoming an operator, you just have to have the drive and interest to learn. It comes naturally to some people, others need a little extra practice, but that does not mean it cannot be achieved. There are courses you can take for many types of equipment. If it’s specifically related to road construction, just get your foot in the door with a paving company as a laborer and work your way up. Be vocal from the beginning about your goals (the squeaky wheel gets the grease). I got my foot in the door as a truck driver. If you are always trying to better yourself and learn new skills, you will be successful and get noticed by the right people. It may take some time, but you have to be willing to prove yourself and to put in the work. This is not an industry for anyone who is not willing to break a sweat and get dirty.
AsphaltPro: What would you say was the most challenging “obstacle” you, as a female on a subcontractor’s crew, had to overcome in the past, and how DID you overcome that obstacle?
Amanda Harrington: “Imposter Syndrome” has been my biggest obstacle. I am harder on myself than anyone else is. Having to convince myself that when I excel at my job, it is because I have put the effort in, I have learned from my mistakes, I have developed the skills—it is not a fluke or a coincidence. I will honestly say that I have not overcome this—it is an ongoing struggle. The way I deal with it is to remind myself that I work hard, I try my best, I believe I am good at my job and that I am valued in my workplace. I have a wonderful support system within my friends and community of other women that work in the trades to lean on.
The other obstacle is finding a clean washroom close to the job site when we are working out in the middle of nowhere!
The best advice I can give is to find a community of other women who can relate to the challenges we as women face in a male-dominated field. If possible, find a mentor or an ally at your workplace or in the same industry as you to encourage you and to be a witness to your achievements.
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AsphaltPro: You mentioned the regional community “Women On Site” as a positive and encouraging group you’re a part of. Tell our readers about the group.
Amanda Harrington: Women On Site has grown into a national community, and has already crossed the border into the United States. It was started by four women that work in male dominated fields as they identified a need for a community like this. It can be very lonely and isolating as the only woman on a jobsite or crew. Even the most empathetic man cannot truly understand what that is like. I have been fortunate that I have felt welcomed and comfortable in the majority of companies I have worked for, but not all women are as fortunate and have to face a lot of adversity and harassment. Having a community of like women to lean on and share stories with is so valuable.
Women On Site has chapters across Canada and one in the United States. They host a few large events throughout the year, as well as local monthly meetups. The group originated on Instagram (@women.on.site), they also have a website (www.womenonsite.ca), and I would highly recommend that women get involved with this organization. I have met some amazing, bad ass ladies through this community, and I am so grateful that I have.
AsphaltPro: How has Women On Site been a help to you in your career or in your day-to-day role as a woman in the construction industry?
Amanda Harrington: It may seem trivial, but just knowing how many women are actually out there working in the trades and construction makes a difference. It sounds cliché, but it really does show you that you are not alone.
AsphaltPro: How can other women, maybe those who aren’t in the Toronto area, be involved in Women On Site?
Amanda Harrington: Follow them on Instagram and go to one of the monthly meetups! The meetups are on the first Wednesday of every month in most major cities in Canada. The website will have a list of local chapters.
@women.on.site
www.womenonsite.ca
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AsphaltPro: Let’s talk about Teamwork. What is the most challenging project you’ve been a part of and how did you and the Triple A Milling crew overcome the challenge?
Amanda Harrington: One job does not really stand out more than any other to me as far as being more challenging – each job presents its own set of challenges. Overcoming any challenge as a crew of more than one person will always require communicating—discussing different approaches and techniques, possible outcomes, etc. You cannot accomplish anything without communicating with your crew on ANY job. You have to work together as a team to get the job done.
AsphaltPro: Let’s talk about Perceptions. What do you think is an incorrect perception that we, as an industry, can re-educate young people about to encourage more women to consider a career in the asphalt business?
Amanda Harrington: An incorrect perception of people in construction is that we are unintelligent, uneducated, unsavory dregs of society who barely pass for humans. I have met so many intelligent, caring, hilarious, decent people that are just trying to make a nice living for themselves and their family. Of course, there are always a few bad apples, but that is true of any industry. I follow a great account on Instagram that touches on this subject of misconceptions and perceptions of people in construction. I recommend checking it out. @humansideofconstruction
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AsphaltPro: What is something you would tell a young lady to encourage her in this industry?
Amanda Harrington: I would tell her that there is a place for her in this industry, and it is absolutely possible for her to have a successful career, that she can make a comfortable living for herself. I would also tell her that it will instill a sense of confidence and resiliency in her that she may not get from an industry that is female dominated.
AsphaltPro: What is the most rewarding aspect for you of being in the asphalt business?
Amanda Harrington: My sense of accomplishment, the confidence, strength and resiliency that I have gained over the years. The ability to financially take care of myself and not want for anything. Job security too—the roads will always need to be maintained.
AsphaltPro: Will you tell us about a person who served as a mentor for you? Is there a piece of advice from this person that you would share with other women in the industry/other operators?
Amanda Harrington: I would have to say my boss, Andrew Alfano. He encouraged me by giving me the opportunity to operate, by not limiting me and making assumptions about my abilities based on me being a woman. He is patient in his instruction, takes the time to explain to me what we are doing and why we are doing it, answers all of my questions, pushes me when I need to be pushed, and creates an environment that allows me to learn and grow.
This is more of a reminder/encouragement than advice: I was operating one of the bigger machines (W 220), having a rough day, feeling very overwhelmed with trying to operate faster, but also load the dump truck without “spilling” the grindings over the edge of the box, but also trying to keep the machine in a straight line, and trying to remember where all the controls are by feel (the control panel on a W 220 is much different than the one on the W 150) and I felt like a complete disaster. It must have been quite obvious to my boss that I was struggling, so he told me to come down off the machine. He said many encouraging things to me, but what he said that stuck with me the most was, “If this was easy, everyone would do it.” So, I took a deep breath and got back up on the machine and kept going. I try to remind myself of this when I am having a difficult day.