Profiles of Women in Tilt-Up
Do you want to learn more about the women who have chosen to build a career in the Tilt-Up industry? Read on to find out more about these women who are helping to shape our industry.
KIMBERLY CORWIN
Business Development Manager AH Harris & Sons Inc.
As Business Development Manager for the Connecticut-based Construction Distribution Company of AH Harris & Sons Inc., Kim works with 70+ Account Managers daily bringing in new concepts, products and technologies, including the promotion of Tilt-Up construction.
Kim began her career at Composite Technologies Corporation introducing and promoting insulated concrete sandwich wall designs to architects and engineers and Tilt-Up contractors. Managing two branches for Hughes Supply Corporation in Florida brought experience in distribution and fine-tuned her people management skills. With more than 20 years in the construction industry, Kim has a wealth of resources upon which to draw.
JEANNE FISCHER
Business Manager Woodland Construction Corp.
As a founding member of the Woodland Construction team, Jeanne Fischer has been an integral part of the company’s growth since its inception in 1987. Recognizing the need for Tilt-Up subcontractors and their role in the overall construction process, Clay and Jeanne Fischer established Woodland Construction to fill a void in the industry. Today, Woodland Construction ranks as one of the Top 100 concrete contractors by Concrete Construction as well as one of the Top 600 specialty contractors by Engineering News-Record.
Jeanne’s responsibilities include managing the business vision, strategy and direction for Woodland Construction with regard to sales and marketing, operations, and technology. Actively involved in the industry, Jeanne represents Woodland Construction in the following organizations: Tilt-Up Concrete Association, Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), American Subcontractors Association-Florida Chapter, Construction Association of South Florida and the Environmental Council of Concrete Organizations (ECCO). One of her key responsibilities is integrating lessons learned through such industry involvement into the Woodland Construction culture and business practice.
Before Jeanne entered the construction industry, she worked at a nursing home for 11 years – the last four as the administrator. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in child and family services.
KAREN S. HAND, P.E.
Senior Project Engineer and Project Manager Needham and Associates Inc.
Before employment at Needham & Associates in 1998, Karen gained four years of experience in the pre-engineered building industry and one year of various experience at a local consulting engineering firm. Karen began working with Tilt-Up construction upon joining Needham & Associates in 1998. Karen has experience with design and detailing of Tilt-Up panels, including special applications. Further, Karen understands construction methods as a result of hands-on experience and the close relationships she develops with her clients.
Karen has worked on several award-winning projects such as the EPA Region VII Science and Technology Center and Best Buy at The Shoppes at Shoal. She has designed and detailed Tilt-Up for retail shopping centers, theatres, call centers, office buildings and warehouses, as well as wainscot panels for aircraft hangars. A leader in the engineering community, Karen is a charter member of the Structural Engineers Association of Kansas & Missouri, serving as Member Services Chairperson in 2001-03, Secretary of the Kansas City Chapter in 2003-05 and President of the Kansas City Chapter in 2005-06. She is also a member of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association and Concrete Promotional Group.
Karen received a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla in May 1993. She is a licensed professional engineer in Iowa, Maine, Missouri and Nebraska.
KIMBERLY KAYLER, CPSM, CSI
Founder and President Constructive Communication Inc.
With a journalism degree and a decade of high-level experience serving engineering, architecture and construction firms as a corporate marketing executive, as well as experience working for a full-service advertising/ marketing communications agency, Kayler founded Constructive Communication Inc. in 2001 to serve the needs of technical and professional service firms. The author of more than 750 published articles on a variety of technical subjects, Kayler also is the co-author of the monthly column – Marketing Concrete – found in Concrete Monthly magazine. The first to earn the Certified Professional Services Marketer designation in the state of Ohio, Kayler is a frequent speaker at Society for Marketing Professional Services and Construction Specifications Institute meetings and was recently selected as one of the 40 Under 40 Leaders by Business First. Constructive Communication Inc. is a Certified Women’s Business Enterprise and currently works with the Tilt- Up Concrete Association, Concrete Foundations Association, American Concrete Institute, American Plastics Council and the Portland Cement Association, as well as variety of architects, engineers and contractors throughout the United States.
LINDA LINDQUIST
Chief Estimator Seretta Construction, Inc.
As Chief Estimator for Orlando-based Seretta Construction, Linda directs the day-to-day operations of the firm’s estimating department. She is responsible for assigning new work to the estimators, training and back checking their work, deciding which work to bid, and hiring and training estimating assistants. Linda also personally handles some of Seretta’s oldest and most loyal clients.
Linda has worked in the construction industry since 1978 and has been with Seretta since 1991. Her extensive experience includes detailing reinforcing steel, pricing jobs for a masonry contractor and currently as Chief Estimator for Seretta Construction. Linda was the estimator on all four phases of the Rooms to Go distribution center located in Lakeland, Florida, which made the No. 1 spot on Tilt-Up Concrete Association’s “Tilt-Up Top Ten” list, a ranking of the top ten Tilt-Up projects according to building footprint size.
In addition, Linda has dedicated several years of service to the American Society of Professional Estimators Gulf Coast Chapter where she has held the positions of President, Vice-President and Director.
Linda earned an associate degree from St. Petersburg College, and she holds a State of Florida General Contractors license. Linda also has a Florida Real Estate Associates License.
KIM MESSER
Sales/Marketing Coordinator CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems
As director of marketing for CON/STEEL Tilt-Up Systems, Kim directs the marketing functions of the company and assists members in CON/STEEL’s network of Tilt-Up contractors with their sales and marketing activities. Kim directs strategic marketing and sales initiatives and works on the planning and authoring of media and marketing communications. Her experience includes advertising, press releases, newsletters, award submittals and Web site content. She has been a frequent speaker on the subject of Tilt-Up construction and serves as a member of TCA’s marketing committee.
Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, with a concentration in journalism, from the University of Dayton.
TINA NEYER
Vice President of Administration Neyer Construction Inc.
As Vice President of Administration at Neyer Construction Inc, Tina directs the day-to-day operations within this fast-growing construction firm. She manages the financial, human resources and marketing aspects of the company.
Tina has worked in the construction industry for three years, coming to Neyer Construction as a partner in the company. She has vast experience in running a small business, having owned a child care company for 10 years. Her expertise in the business world in corporate finance, marketing and human resources is extensive, spanning 25 years.
She holds certification in mediation and provides services in Greater Cincinnati. Tina has a master’s degree in education from Xavier University.
ANGELA PERRY
Field Engineer Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
A May 2005 graduate from Kansas State University, Angela earned her Bachelor of Science degree in construction science and management and her ACI Tilt-Up Technician Certification. After graduation, she began working for Hensel Phelps Construction Co. and is currently a Field Engineer on a design- build project at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center Replacement Hospital. As a field engineer, she works directly for the Project Superintendent and is responsible for all project layout and dimensional accuracy, interpretation of plans and specifications, communicating and establishing control lines for craft and subcontractors, job-wide safety, and producing detailed concrete form drawings for field use. She also is tasked with managing all the structural steel erection activities and helping resolve design issues as they arise.
JO ELLA SCHROEDER
Vice President of Construction Tilt-Con Corporation
As Vice President of Construction for Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based Tilt-Con Corporation, Jo Ella directs the day-to-day operations of the firm’s construction division. She is responsible for safety, employee hiring and training, workplace quality, customer relations, and pre-construction planning and scheduling.
Jo Ella has held various management positions with construction industry leaders such as Chesterton Blumenauer Binswanger (CBB), an international real estate and project management service provider, Tishman Realty and Construction, a construction management firm and general contractor, and Universal Studios, an owner-developer.
Her extensive experience includes project engineering and project management for large hotel developments and representing such well-known owners as Comcast Cablevision and United States Cellular in their facilities programming, design, permitting and construction. In addition, Jo Ella has handled design development for extraordinary projects such as the entertainment venues of Universal CityWalk.
Through her experiences with Tilt-Con as an estimator, contract administrator and project manager, Jo Ella has developed a thorough understanding of the company’s operations and objectives, as well as the market it serves.
Jo Ella earned both a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s degree in building construction from the University of Florida, Gainesville. She holds a State of Florida General Contractor license.
DANA SCOTT
Marketing Director Scott System Inc.
Dana Scott serves as Marketing Director and Corporate Officer for Scott System Inc. Her responsibilities include business development and promotion efforts such as planning, forecasting, research, public relations, and the design and development of print and electronic collateral. As Scott System is an intimate family business, management often “wears many hats” and collaborate in other areas of business operation. Dana, who thrives on variety, often handles sales and service duties, visiting job sites, architects and builders as needed. She also has lent her artistic hand to the sculpture and production of formliner molds in Scott’s plant as well as consulted on color and coatings for concrete finishes.
Although she has grown up in the family business, Dana served in the areas of construction and hospitality business development prior to joining Scott System in 1993. Her cumulative experience has brought her to a satisfying role in Scott System and has been instrumental in helping her family business grow tenfold since she began her career with Scott. Dana has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in international relations and Spanish.
CAROLYN SUSS
Administrative Assistance Citadel Contractors
Carolyn moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, from upstate New York in 2004 and began work as an administrative assistant to a general contractor in North Raleigh. It was there that she realized her interest in the fast-paced, competitive arena of the construction world. In late 2004, she joined Citadel Contractors Inc. where she began as the administrative assistant and quickly moved up to the company’s executive assistant. Carolyn provides support to the company’s president, engineer and project managers.
Carolyn graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Arts in International relations from Hobart & William Smith College, Geneva, New York. She plans to continue her education in construction management.
REBECCA WALDO
Field Engineer Hensel Phelps Construction Co.
Rebecca graduated from Kansas State University in May of 2005 with a degree in Construction Science and Management. She received her certification as an ACI Tilt-Up Technician in February of 2005. Upon graduation, she began work as a field engineer for Hensel Phelps Construction. As a field engineer, her tasks include layout and control, interpreting the plans and system specifications, generating lift drawings for specific locations within the project, and working with subcontractors to efficiently construct the finished design. She currently lives and works in San Diego, building a 30-story hotel next to San Diego Harbor.
ALECIA WILMETH
Project Manager Panattoni Construction Inc.
As a project manager for Panattoni Construction, Alecia has experience in all aspects of commercial construction. Since coming to Panattoni eight years ago, she has participated in the planning, design and overall development of multiple building projects and business centers. Alecia excels personally working with business owners to assist them in the design and build process to produce facilities that meet their specific needs.
Alecia’s construction management career began as a superintendent for a large residential developer where she supervised several large housing tract developments in New England. Her hands-on management experience in construction and operations, combined with her financial management background offer owners versatility and confidence.
Alecia earned an associate degree in business before pursuing her interest in the field of psychology. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in business management.
KIMBERLY WAGGLE KRAMER, PE
Director of Graduate Studies Assistant Professor Architectural Engineering and Construction Science Kansas State University
As the Director of Graduate Studies for the Architectural Engineering and Construction Science Department at Kansas State University, Kimberly Kramer directs the Master of Science program and teaches structural engineering courses for construction science and engineering students.
Prior to beginning her teaching career three years ago, Kimberly served as the Director of Structural Engineering for GideonToal Inc. in Fort Worth, Texas. She has worked for Carter & Burgess Inc., HTB Inc., and Leo A. Daly, Company on a large variety of projects in the United States, Egypt and Puerto Rico. Several of the projects she has worked on have won design awards, including one of her Tilt-Up projects, Valeo Electronics Facility, which was a recipient of a Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) North America 2002 Design Award.
Through her extensive experience as a structural engineer and department head, Kramer brings valuable real-world experience into the classroom. Kramer has developed a Tilt-Up concrete class with the encouragement of two students and the resources of TCA. In three years, more than 100 students have taken her Tilt-Up concrete course, and approximately 50 students have become certified as Tilt-Up Technicians.
Kimberly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in architectural engineering in 1989 from Kansas State University and a Master of Engineering in civil engineering in 1999 from the University of Texas in Arlington. She is currently licensed in fourteen states as a professional engineer.