I AM A WOMAN IN CONSTRUCTION
Rachel Lee, Marketing Manager / Document Control Specialist
How long have you been in the construction industry, and how did you get started?
I had previously been in a contracts and marketing role in the manufacturing industry for eight years on the U.S. side of a Taiwan-based manufacturer. When that business closed state-side, I saw the opportunity to pursue something exciting. With the same mindset of aiding the product/project development process, I joined the Cricket Valley Energy project as the Office Manager and Document Controller for the owners. I have been in construction for about 6 years, 3 of those years with O&G.
Tell us about your role.
Currently, I wear a few hats! I assist with everything in Document Control and Office Support for the I-84 West Hartford project slated for completion this Spring (2023). I also support the Road Division as the Marketing Manager for Design-Build pursuits as well as overall historical and marketing support to maintain detailed records. Finally, I assisted Paul Balavender (retired General Counsel for O&G) for the past few years to aid in legal responses for every division’s bidding process. I now help Michael Lynch (Paul’s replacement), with support on the litigation side, to help get some O&G cases cleared up – which is very interesting!
What’s most exciting/fulfilling about your role?
The most exciting aspect of my role is the joy of winning a victory for O&G. That may be in hitting a project milestone early, realizing we are owed more for a job well done, winning in the bidding process, or helping to close out a legal case. I take great pride and satisfaction in taking a win for O&G; it feels like a win for myself!
How does the company support you in your role?
In general, I feel that O&G supports the spirit of growth. All my ideas have been reacted to with a “take it and run” mentality throughout the company.
What’s your advice for other women looking to enter the construction industry?
My advice would be the same! Take it and run! Don’t always follow. Go ahead and lead, and see that your role leads to the company’s victories. It’s very empowering! I get a lot of self-satisfaction from my work here at O&G.
Feel free to add anything additional that you would like to share.
I always believe in family first. I have a very tight-knit family, and my husband is the icing on the cake for me. O&G values family first as well. If I can offer any advice, it would be to find good people to work with and for and to run with it.
