Top Women In Construction 2020: Outstanding Tradesperson

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Winner: Kelly Martin, Mortenson Construction

Kelly Martin can boast a career spanning more than three decades. After time as a factory worker, she moved into construction, where she worked on roads, bridges, curbs and gutters.

Martin got a job as a laborer for a road and bridge contractor at a time when women in construction were not common. She has made the most of the opportunity, working on such projects as formwork for a pier supporting the Lafayette Bridge in St. Paul and chipping away at a pier cap on the Highway 5 bridge in St. Paul.

Since joining Mortenson, Martin has worked on a renovation project at the University of Minnesota and at the Minnehaha Academy on an extremely fast-paced build-out for displaced students and staff after the 2017 explosion at their campus.

Most recently she has worked at Blake School in Hopkins working on multi-phased renovations and expansions while classes and other school activities are still in session.

While working on those jobs, Martin makes it a point to become a fixture on site. During the Blake project, she has been the contact person for teachers and staff wondering how the ongoing work will affect classes. Students pause to ask her for updates, and a few have even asked Martin to sign their yearbooks.

As a result, Martin and another craftworker were given the Pinnacle Award by Blake School, an honor that Mortensen’s customers may give to company team members who go above and beyond on the job.

Finalists

Crystal Felch, Greiner Construction

Crystal Felch has been with Greiner Construction for just over two years and has already established herself as a leader and a great worker. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering from Iowa State University, she arrived at Greiner lacking nothing but experience.

Felch began at Greiner as a field engineer intern and quickly established herself by working on a large apartment complex. Not long after, she was welcomed aboard as a full-time field engineer. In that role, you’ll find her working at job sites instead of in the office, providing services to the clients at their homes or business sites. The role requires versatility and the ability to learn quickly.

Greiner specializes in tenant interior workspaces, and has a reputation for providing fast, high-quality work. Much of that work is done in downtown Minneapolis’ building infrastructures, which means working efficiently in tight, eccentric spaces.

Felch fits well with Greiner’s approach to project delivery. She has shown eagerness to learn the overall business as well as such new skills as self-performing carpentry and the development of the leadership skills needed for a project superintendent.

Barb Pecks, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

Barb Pecks plays an important role in making sure that area carpenters stay skilled and safe. As a business representative with the North Central Regional Council of Carpenters — which represents 25,000 workers in five Midwestern states — Pecks is involved in an organization that provides safety training programs and training programs to increase carpentry skills.

The union and its representatives also play a key role by participating in trade shows and providing workshop programs for young people interested in the building trades.

Pecks also works to provide apprenticeship and work opportunities for women and minorities. To that end, she is involved in the ongoing development of the Sisters in the Brotherhood, a great organization that supports women in the construction industry.

By joining Sisters in the Brotherhood, women can learn more about their union, receive encouragement from colleagues, and find ways to participate at the local and regional council levels.

Jacki Roberge, Mortenson Construction

As a career laborer, Jacki Roberge is in a great position to lead by example and provide help wherever it’s needed. Whether you’re a newly hired laborer or a supervisor, she is on hand to help her team improve every day and on every job.

As a testament to Roberge’s personality and work ethic, she is often called on by her supervisor to be a part of a team that could benefit from experience and expertise.

Roberge supports small and women-owned business by taking the time to learn about partner and client companies she works with, as well as providing constructive feedback about their products.

Like many finalists, Roberge started out when a woman in the construction trades was a rarity. Her longevity and success, and the esteem she inspires from her colleagues, provides a great example for the ever-growing number of young women who want to pursue a career in the world of construction.

Laurie Walters, RJM Construction

In her four years at RJM, Laurie Walters has worked on multiple crews for a variety of projects, ranging from outside ground up to working around patients on hospital remodels.

Her colleagues and managers classify Walters as very dependable, always on time and often willing to take a shift on short notice. As one colleague put it, when you need something done fast, Walters can do it that way. And if you need something done clean, tidy and precise, she can slow it down and dial it right in.

As a single mom of a teenager, Walters has her hands full at home and at work. But she always handles her duties at RJM with precision and dedication, earning the respect of everyone she works with.

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