The local operation has been here 14 years. We're a general contractor, and Springfield is one of five divisions. We're the oldest division, other than Kansas City, where our corporate office is. We're also ... the smallest. Our projects (in Springfield) aren't nearly as large as the ones in the big cities like Kansas City, St. Louis or New Orleans.
What does your job entail?
My main job is to administer the owner contracts, make sure they're signed and executed for the projects and (to handle) subcontracts. My job is to type them, get them out to the sub(contractors) and make sure they're back and executed in the system. I handle the subcontracts for all of our projects. We don't self-perform anything; we subcontract it all.
How is the current economy affecting Walton Construction?
We have noticed a change. A lot of our work is with negotiated previous clients, and it seems like that is starting to slow down a little bit as far as privately owned companies wanting to continue to build. As far as the public work, it seems like there's still a lot of work going on out there. Springfield still seems to be booming pretty big, I think.
What brought you to the construction industry?
When I graduated from college, I was looking for an administrative-type position. I was looking through want ads in the paper and I saw an ad for an administrative assistant, and it said to contact Penmac. One of the interviews they sent me on was here at Walton Construction. (It was) exactly what I was looking for. I had no idea how much paperwork, contracts and correspondence goes back and forth ... to build a building. I was always under the impression that you go out on the job site and build. I had no idea the amount of contracts, change orders, payroll reports and insurance certificates that go into building. Everything I know about construction is what I've learned on the job.
What is Salute to Construction?
The Salute to Construction Council is made up of a number of professional organizations and associations within the construction industry - for example, the Springfield Contractors Association, The Builders Association and the Home Builders Association (of Greater Springfield). We have a number of trades represented, and representatives of Missouri State University and Ozarks Technical Community College. I sit on the council as a representative of the National Association of Women in Construction. Our goal is to promote communities, careers and lives. We go out and speak at area schools, and talk to kids about careers in construction (and the annual event culminates with an industry awards banquet to be held Nov. 6).
When you talk at schools, do you find that a lot of younger girls have misperceptions about construction careers?
Yes. Something I try to emphasize ... is that you don't have to work in the office like I do. I talk about the other women I've met who are also project managers, or own their own construction companies or are actually working a trade. I know one woman who owns a concrete company and does the work, and one who owns a roofing company and does the work. I try to bring all aspects of it out and show that this isn't just a man's field.
Tell us about your family and hobbies.
Two of my sisters live here in Springfield ... and another sister lives in Cassville. My father lives here and is the president of Springfield Catholic Credit Union. Jazzercise seems to occupy most of my free time. I'm actually training to be a Jazzercise instructor. I really enjoy it, and it's good exercise. I also sing in a church group at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Interview by Features Editor Maria Hoover.[[In-content Ad]]
