Pub. 3 2020-21 Issue 2

39 and when another foreman position opened, they gave me the opportunity to be the foreman. Tell us about becoming a part of Women of Asphalt leadership Team and how did you get there? I went to a small event where there were 13 of us. We all talked, and they asked for people who would like to volunteer to start mentoring and help create a future with more women in the industry. I talked to my management, and they said I should do it. I am afraid of speaking in public, though, so I had to think about it. I talked to my mom, who has worked for 25 years in the asphalt industry. After talking with her, I decided it would be a good opportunity, emailed them my decision, and went from there. What is your main goal in this leadership position? To reach out and let women know they are not alone in the industry. I also want to teach men we are a valuable asset. In the past, asphalt has been a male-dominant industry. More women are being hired now, though, and it needs to be that way. I have found that lots of men want the women who are hired to succeed, but many women find the asphalt industry intimidating. What would you say to other women who are thinking about the asphalt industry as a career? Do it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. The only one who can stop you is you. What direction do you see the industry going in the next 5-10 years? It’s going to go in a positive direction all the way around. The industry is improving in a lot of ways. It has become acceptable to hire more women, and the ideas in the industry are changing so much. In the past, if a woman said anything, it was ignored. Now, there’s more open communication. People in the industry are a lot nicer and more helpful. Do you have any interesting hobbies? I bow hunt when I have time, and I travel. I like to travel everywhere: Mazatlan, Tahoe and places in California. I’m currently planning a trip to Oregon. Tell us about your family. I am a single mom to an 11-year-old girl. My grandparents raised me because I was too out of control for my parents. I was a handful. Now I have a different close relationship with my dad and my stepmom, who I call my mom. I wouldn’t be where I am at in the industry if it wasn’t for my stepmom. She started out as a flagger for Valley Asphalt many years ago, then she became a flagger at Staker Parson, and now she is lead roller operator for a highway roller. Do you have any additional comments you would like to make about the asphalt industry and your career? The pay is amazing, and it has good career advancement. It is hot in the summer, but you have winters off, so you can help your children when they really need it. In the summer, they can go play with their friends. I can do this for the rest of my life. 3