When you think about construction workers, one often envisions men swinging hammers and pouring concrete. But, although those roles have traditionally been filled by men, an increasing number of construction jobs are being occupied by women. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the percentage of women working in the construction industry overall has hovered somewhere around 10% since 1996.

At Friede & Associates, we see tremendous value in women working in construction—in particular on the project management side of the business. Attention to detail, a high level of communication and the ability to multi-task are qualities women possess that make them ideal for contract administration, accounting, project management, and business development tasks.

In celebration of National Women in Construction Week, we asked five women at Friede & Associates to tell us about their roles at Friede & Associates:

Morgan Tribbey, CAP, OM, CDT, Project Manager

“I like to say that construction chose me,” says Morgan. “My family had always been in construction. My grandfather was a steel erector in Madison and I have uncles who work in landscaping and tile work.” 

Shortly after graduating from college, Morgan applied for numerous positions and was fortunate to be chosen by Friede & Associates to start as an office administrator and assistant to company President Roger Friede. Since she joined the firm in 2008, Morgan found herself more and more involved in the construction side of the business with Friede’s project managers, general superintendent, and contract administrators. Eventually, Roger and Executive Vice President and Partner Scott Truehl saw a need for Morgan to move into a project management role. 

“I started the journey to become a project manager as a contract administrator, assisting project managers with contracts, change orders, and venturing into the field for progress meetings and site visits—which are my favorite part,” she notes. “When a project manager was preparing to retire, I took on more responsibility and really started to understand the link between the PM and the subcontractors.”

Morgan holds several certifications, including a Certified Administration Professional (CAP) certificate, an Organizational Management (OM) certification and a Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) certification. “I started researching project manager courses in order to gain experience and skills,” Morgan explains. “I pitched my idea to Roger and Scott and they were incredibly supportive. I spent the next few years learning from people in the field, taking even more courses, and managing small projects.” 

But nothing prepared Morgan better than working in the field. “My most rewarding learning experience came from spending over a year in the field at the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center addition. This was the largest project that our company had undertaken! I came out of that experience more prepared than ever.”

As a project manager, Morgan’s daily and weekly tasks can range from visiting job sites, meeting with owners, subcontractors, architects, and suppliers to approving invoices and pay requests. She typically attends weekly progress meetings, which she runs for the projects she manages. Morgan also reviews subcontracts and submittals, and supports the superintendents on her projects with whatever they need to be successful, including essential tasks such as monitoring the schedule to ensure the project is completed on time. 

The nature of the job suits Morgan just fine. “Every day brings new experiences and learning opportunities. I enjoy spending time in the field, learning from the people who are passionate about construction and want to go above and beyond for the client.”

It’s difficult for Morgan to pinpoint one project as her favorite. “I have multiple favorites for different reasons. The Teen Center Addition at the Boys & Girls Club is a favorite, as is the Otter Enclosure at the Baraboo Zoo. But the 112,000-square-foot conference center addition at Kalahari Resorts in The Dells ranks right up there too, given the size, scope, and complexity of the project.”

Morgan has advice for women who are interested in choosing a career path in construction. “Select an area that interests you–whether it is electrical, welding, or general contracting—and research local companies. They may have a mentorship program or will allow you to observe their work in the field. That’s a great way to find a path that interests you.”

Linda Gibson, Contract Administrator

“I’ve been with Friede & Associates for 19 years, so I’ve learned almost every position here in the office except for the role of project manager. I was hired as an office assistant which included front office duties and accounts payable. I then worked my way into the contract administrator role where I prepared contracts and purchase orders and kept the paperwork in order throughout the project. I also assisted with projects that were sent out for bids from start-to-finish.”  

Later, Linda moved into a role where she assisted upper management with different tasks and also began doing the field payroll. Since then, she has found her way back to being a contract administrator, which is her current role. 

One of the things that Linda enjoys most about her position is working together as “one big happy Friede family.” Linda also enjoys the variety of different projects that Friede has performed. “I’ve worked on projects ranging from small remodels to very large, new construction projects. I enjoy getting to work with the owners as well as the subcontractors working on each job.”

When asked what her favorite project has been to work on, she replied, “If I had to choose one, it would probably be the Kalahari Convention Center. Every day was a new adventure. The end result was a beautiful new convention center and something I can be proud to say I was a part of.”

Linda credits Ron Kellen, CFO, and Jeff Behnke, Senior Estimator, with mentoring her and guiding her through the office and accounting tasks. “Jeff has taught me about construction and some of the processes. I had no knowledge of construction prior to starting at Friede, and now I can say I know a lot more than I did when I started.”

As far as encouraging other women to consider positions in the construction industry, Linda says, “Construction is exciting and rewarding, and doesn’t have to be just for men anymore!”

Shell Lee Hainz, Contract Administrator

“I was looking for a career change and had heard good things about Friede & Associates so I decided I would apply,” says Shell Lee. “Although I didn’t have knowledge in the construction industry, my management skills qualified me for the position I currently hold.”

Shell Lee’s primary function as a Contract Administrator is to assist two project managers with contract documents and owner/subcontractor invoicing. She regularly attends progress meetings and visits job sites to take progress photos of Friede’s construction projects. She also coordinates submittal documents with the architects and for the owners when their projects are complete. In essence, Shell Lee helps to keep paperwork flowing between the project managers, superintendents, owners, architects, and subcontractors.

Construction is inherently challenging and Shell Lee’s part in a project is no different. “Every job has obstacles,” she says. “I think the key to any challenge is trying to remain calm and focus on what the experience is trying to teach you. I just try to break down the issue into what I can address, coordinate with others on the things I can’t resolve independently, and then reassess how to do things differently the next time around to try to avoid the same issue from presenting in future situations.”

Shell Lee didn’t have far to look to find a mentor. “I’ve looked to Morgan Tribbey as my mentor. I was hired to fill her role as a contract administrator when she was promoted within the company. She helped me learn how to do my job and was excellent in teaching me how to be as efficient as possible and how to be as helpful as I can be to the people I support,” says Shell Lee. “She has a lot of knowledge and history with Friede and is a respected woman in the construction industry. I value her influence and the support she has provided to me in my career at Friede & Associates.”

Shell Lee would definitely encourage other women to consider a career in construction. “There are a lot of roles and contributions women can make throughout the construction process. I personally see construction as a career that offers a lot of opportunities in being part of a developing project,” she adds. “It’s refreshing to see other women on the job sites and to know our knowledge, skills and strengths are needed in this growing industry. The opportunities are out there, and this field offers a lot of variety to continue to learn and to challenge ourselves to develop new skills. 

Tabatha Tiffany, Office Manager & Assistant to the CFO

When Tabatha relocated a few years ago, she had never thought about going into construction because she had 14 years of experience in the hospitality management industry. “When Friede posted the Office Manager/CFO Assistant position I knew it was what I wanted to do,” explains Tabatha. “My husband, who has worked in construction his entire life, told me Friede & Associates is a great company, so I went for it. I was ready for the challenge to try something new.”

In her role at Friede & Associates, Tabatha handles payroll, accounts receivable, and accounts payable. She also assists Ron Kellen, the company’s Chief Financial Officer, with anything that he may need help with. When asked what she enjoys most about her position on the Friede Team, Tabatha admits she likes it all. “Roger, Scott and Ron are amazing individuals to work with. They care for each of us like family,” she says. “We are not just another number working for them. That sounds like it might not be a big deal but after working for an international company in the past, I can tell you it makes a big difference.”

Despite loving everything about her job, there have been challenges. “Of course, just changing careers was a large obstacle. When I relocated, I thought I would find employment at a local resort. I had to reevaluate what I really wanted to do in life and where I wanted my career to take me,” admits Tabatha. “But working for Friede & Associates has not only been a great career move for me, it’s also been amazing for my family.” 

In terms of mentorship, Tabatha credits Ron Kellen with taking her under his wing. “If I had questions or didn’t understand something, he was right there to help me. He has definitely made me a better office manager and assistant,” she adds. “I was taught there are Three Cs of mentorship: consultant, counselor and cheerleader. Ron has consistently done all three to help me continually improve.”

As the mother of four daughters, the subject of women in construction hits home. “To quote Amelia Earhart, ‘The most effective way to do it, is to do it,’” says Tabatha. “Any woman considering a career in construction should absolutely go for it. Don’t be afraid to shatter the glass ceiling.”

Carole Schaeffer, Vice President of Business Development

For years, Carole worked with real estate developers as an advocate, and for more than a decade served as an executive director for a trade association. “I was close to the construction industry in my previous roles,” says Carole. “It turns out I really love the industry, so here I am!”

In her role as Vice President of Business Development, Carole identifies opportunities and connects the Friede Team with those individuals who are looking to develop a project. “It is very much about building relationships. You do business with people you know, you like, and you trust, and that takes time and authenticity,” explains Carole.

Carole believes the best part of the job is that she gets to interact with lots of people. “I have grown a rich and interesting network and I am fortunate to get to work with and for great people. I also really enjoy that every day is something a little different.”

Carole joined the Friede Team in 2020 and is fortunate to work in Friede’s Downtown Madison office. “I haven’t had the chance to check out all our work in The Dells, due to the pandemic, but I’m looking forward to seeing our handiwork in person when we can safely hit the water parks and restaurants in that area,” says Carole. “In Madison, I definitely spend the most time in the Vintage Brewing Company on E. Washington. It’s such an inviting space and I love taking our clients there.”

Carole knows that people tend to think about field work when they think about construction, but she knows there are lots of opportunities in design, engineering, project management, sustainability, and technology—all skills in which women excel. “Construction is a great industry to work in, and young women should know how many opportunities there are for them,” she says. “I think there are many great careers for a woman to consider in the construction industry and encourage young women to explore those options.”