Contents

Experiences in Public Works Voices from a Supportive Agency – Ann Daniels Dana Mackey, P.E. Tempe, Arizona Yazmin Arellano, P.E. Pamela J. Maloney, P.E. Jennifer L. Adams, LCSW Cindy Best Valerie McCaw, P.E. Jan Hort Patricia Biegler, P.E. Sherri McIntyre Shelly Seyler Rebecca Bilderback, P.E. Amy Murray Wendy L. Springborn-Pitman, MBA Shelly Billingsley, P.E. Michele Ohmes Christine Warren, P.E. Becky Caldwell Mary Orgega-Itsell Waynette A. Chan Kristina Ramiez, P.E. Perspectives on Issues in the Katherine Claeys Lisa Rapp Public Works Arena Rossana G. D’Antonio, P.E., GE Teresa Scott, P.E. Diane Linderman, P.E. Kelly Dinsmore Kate Soga Mary Meloy Tonya Elliott Amy J. Story, P.E. Farideh Faraji Megan Therialut Rebecca Foster Elizabeth Treadway Susan Hann, P.E., AICP, ICMA-CM Cathy Trexler Sherry Heim Elia Twigg, P.E. Brenda Herrman Colene Vogel Susan Howard Bobbi Wallace Debra Jacobs Jeri Ward Donna Shauback Jessup Tracy L. Warner, P.E. Mary Ellen Lea Judy Workman, C.E.M. Karen F. Leback Ruby Lofton

2 Ann Daniels • APWA Director of Technical Services • American Public Works Association

On Tool calendars! I was embarrassed and Do you remember the first time you saw a keep them happy. When they realize they immediately turned a deep shade of red. woman holding a survey flag or directing may get dirty or break a nail, they’ll stay And, surprisingly, even the guys there were traffic in a work zone area? Probably almost home in the kitchen where they belong. embarrassed. Of course, there had not been wrecked the car while you did a double a woman in that shed for years, so no one take. Those were some of the first jobs Surprisingly enough, it was an eye-opening had thought about what things looked like. other than engineering women entered and experience for many of the women. They found a level of acceptance. It still wasn’t realized they had technical skills and I’d already toured the police and fire easy for them. It was hot, dirty work and inclinations. They enjoyed working around departments, and they certainly had you can imagine the teasing they took from the machinery and equipment. It really nothing like this out in public view. What their male counterparts. Not only teasing, wasn’t rocket science like the guys wanted were these low-life guys thinking? And who but probably some disparaging remarks by them to believe. were they if they had such little respect for those who felt their male domain was being women? invaded. Gradually we began to see women entering the technical schools studying not only to Truth be told, they were nothing out of the These were good paying jobs for women. be nursing assistants or graphic artists, but ordinary for men in public works at that Many of them were supporting families and mechanics, electricians, and even heavy What a Difference! time. Notice—I said “men.” Women really knew what it meant to work hard, but they equipment operators. had not made inroads into the public works wanted to be rewarded for their efforts at My first visit to a public works facility came arena. In fact, we had not made much the same level rather rather than continue Surprisingly, contractors began recognizing in 1977 when I made a tour of city facilities impact on many “male dominated” areas at to work in “girl” jobs selling cosmetics, the abilities of the women, and we began to after being elected as the mayor of the that time. As one of only six female mayors working in retail shops, or being secretaries. see more women working on highway and Town of Carrollton. Here I was—young, in the State of Missouri, I knew what it was street jobs. The more common it became naïve, a preacher’s daughter, out to save the like to be the “token broad.” About this same time, we began to see the to see a woman in that role, the more world—or at least make a difference in my push for “how-to” classes at the community plausible it seemed to have women in the own community. Granted, we were beginning to see some education level, specifically designed for public works sector, too. women who had persevered and earned women. Nothing heavy, mind you, “How Imagine my surprise when I stepped their way into engineering departments. to change a tire,” “how to change your oil,” Gradually, women began working their into the street department shed and was But they were the exception rather than the or “how to wire a lamp.” If the little ladies way out of the public works department assaulted by wall after wall of pictures of the rule and usually not the city engineer. were going to begin acting like they wanted secretary position into purchasing and scantily clad women of the famous Snap- to enter “man world,” give them enough to inventory clerks for fleet departments. They

3 Ann Daniels • APWA

became mechanics and fleet managers. The truth of the matter is, they have worked The American Public Works Association They became project managers who could hard to achieve their own personal goals. currently has a membership of 3,112 monitor multiple projects at the same time. While they have overcome obstacles, I women. That may be somewhat misleading Nothing new, same as running a household. haven’t heard one woman say it was not as to the number of women working in They mastered the environmental sciences worth the effort. I also have never heard the field in our local agencies because and operated water and wastewater plants them say they wanted to have things made many of them work in positions that may and laboratories. They organized the easy for them. They don’t sit and whine not usually be included in an agency’s cleaning and maintenance of buildings and about the tough deal they got. membership roster. Regardless, the number became facility managers. They became of women is growing steadily. Their environmental managers designing landfills Instead, I hear them speak with pride of involvement in national, chapter and and creative uses for the methane they their accomplishments as part of the public branch leadership reflects the respect they generate as well as recycling collection and works team. They share information about have earned and their willingness to give marketing. They are city engineers and their many mentors throughout their back to the field. public works directors. They are owners careers and their willingness to be mentors and partners in engineering firms. to other newcomers to the field¬—both The essays that follow will give you a male and female. I see them interacting glimpse into the lives of several women Throughout my twenty-five year career in with their coworkers without either party who have achieved their goals. They have city government administration, I observed realizing there is a difference between their opened their lives to share insight and the growing role of women in public works. sexes. They are public works professionals encouragement. They have all strived to My positions led me to be a public works working on public works projects for the make a difference, and they continue to director in several instances. I love public benefit of their communities. demonstrate their commitment to public works and the people of public works. The service. I hope reading the essays will help profession is one of true public service. It you realize the similarities are greater than doesn’t matter whether you’re male or the differences. female.

4 Yazmin Arellano, P.E. Public Works Director/City Engineer • City of Brawley, California

At fourteen years old, my life took a drastic that actually had to work real hard for what By this time my Ensenada College dreams change by my parents deciding to relocate they had. I guess I was sheltered all my life turned into an engineering college in the to the United States. My family moved to and did not appreciate things, such as a United States. I wanted to study something Calexico, California, a border city adjacent mother constantly reminding you about a that could give me status and, since I was to Mexicali, México. My parents bought college education and how I automatically good at math, I chose engineering. I did a new house and they enrolled me in assumed that my parents had to pay for not know which type then, I just knew Calexico High School as a freshman. I everything. I became more humble and that I wanted to be called an engineer. By hated the change, new school, no friends, asked the upperclassmen in my Spanish the time I was a junior I had made up my a different culture. I always took English class about the education system in the mind, I wanted to be a chemical engineer. lessons while in Mexico and had very little United States and most important of all, I happened to tell my algebra II instructor trouble adjusting to the English language. how would I get to college. (Mr. Burgoyne) and I can still remember However, my counselor did not think his words… “I don’t see you as a chemical so and decided to enroll me into very And this is how my engineering/public engineer, I see you as a civil engineer, what elementary classes despite my enrollment works story begins. During my freshmen do you like Yazmin?” And I answered… “I test scores. year at Calexico High School, I found out like water, I like to sit down and look at the I had to get college prep classes and that irrigation canals, it relaxes me…” then my A Positive Attitude and Hard Work While my Mexican ex-classmates were I still had time to enroll in all the college teacher said… “Civil engineering is a broad studying trigonometry at a private school prep classes the following year and still major, you can design buildings or build I’ve been a star student my whole life. As I environment, I had to settle for the be able to get to the highest class levels dams or canals…” and I was set, I fell in got into my early teenage years while living leftover classes in the United States such available by my senior year, except for love with the picture that he planted in my in Mexicali, Mexico, I began thinking of as consumer math at old facilities. My math. I decided that if I doubled up in mind. what I really wanted to study. The only math teacher (Mr. Cervantes) automatically math classes my sophomore and junior desire at that time was just to eventually spotted me and tried to help me get a year; I could get to calculus on my senior Five years later, I graduated with a bachelor leave my house, and the only way out of higher level math class but was only year. C A L C U L U S… my ultimate goal. of science in civil engineering degree from my house was to study abroad by choosing successful in getting me into basic algebra, the California Polytechnic State University a major that was not offered in that city. I which was the next level up. However, my San Luis Obispo. During my college chose to study marine biology in Ensenada, Spanish teacher (Mr. Gaytán) moved me years I had the opportunity to work as a Mexico, but I never left because I was only into a high level Spanish literature class. summer intern with the Imperial Irrigation in what would be equivalent to Junior High That year I met lots of new people. I met District (IID) in the drainage, field and when I was dreaming about all this. students with no goals and I met students water engineering divisions. I had the

5 Yazmin Arellano, P.E.

opportunity to meet one of my mentors with the fast paced day-to-day activities As I look back 10 years into my professional Women are very powerful and excellent there, Paul Peschel. Paul was the head of in that department. Mr. Aceves was very experience (five as public works director), planners, key elements for a successful the water engineering department at IID professional and was known as a very picky I realize that I’m still in love with my position in public works. Our hard work and he was working on his master’s degree boss. Under his supervision, I had the profession and that all my professional and our positive attitude will help calibrate in public administration at that time. I opportunity of learning all the things that challenges have turned into successful the inequalities between male and females learned that it was possible for people to you don’t learn at school, such as contract events. The secret? A positive attitude and in our profession in the future. I will gladly balance work, family and graduate school. management, day-to-day construction hard work. Some of my peers may tell you tell my daughter over lunch, twenty years This automatically became my next goal. inspection, politics 101, nasty contract about how a woman has to work harder from now, the story about the good old boy change orders, and getting contractors on than a man to prove herself and that the system, and we’ll both laugh about how After college, I took a job with Lyon the good old boy system to respect you as same work doubles if you’re young. There things used to be. Engineers, a local land development firm a young female engineer. It felt like public is some truth to that, but I see it more as (now called development design and works boot camp, he made me strong by one of the many existing stereotypes that engineering) and went to graduate school always encouraging me and gradually you should know about, hide someplace at night. My mentor there (Carlos Corrales) increasing my responsibilities until the near you and concentrate on setting your helped me become an AutoCAD expert day he announced his retirement. During goals early in your profession. The positive and inspired me to pursue a professional those three years under his supervision I attitude helps you ignore stereotypes and land surveyor license after obtaining the grew up professionally, became a licensed all the things that could divert you from professional civil engineer license. civil engineer and climbed many steps in reaching your goals or working towards the City of Brawley Organization. After them. A positive attitude is essential Two and a half years later, I graduated from he retired, I applied for the Public Works in the public works environment since CETYS Universidad in Mexicali, Mexico, Director/City Engineer position and I got it. we’re always providing a service to the with a master of science degree in industrial I became the City of Brawley Public Works community. engineering/business administration, Director/City Engineer at 28 years old. and I landed a job at the City of Brawley public works/engineering department as an inspector under Manuel Aceves, the public works director and city engineer. My great desire to learn and the opportunity of having a great mentor opened the great doors of public works to me. I fell in love

6 Cindy Best Administrative Services Manager • Public Works Department • City of Palm Bay, Florida

I entered the public works arena several Just like the obstacles towards women I I’m comfortable in public works because we months after retiring from the United States encountered while in the service, I’ve seen are first responders, we do whatever it takes Air Force. Not only was I amazed at how a lot of the same in the public works arena. to get the job done and that’s what I’m used different working in the civilian world was, But I’ve also seen them slowly disappear. to, and that’s why I spent twenty years in but I certainly wasn’t used to being treated Women no longer are only the secretaries. the military. We are public servants first like a girl. They are the city engineers, engineering and foremost. I thrive on helping the weak, inspectors, and even the truck drivers. and I’m a big advocate of training, so I am It probably stems even further back in my I can attribute what I know from two public really encouraged to educate the public on development to when I was a young girl. works women I’ve encountered, Sue and issues that affect their everyday lives. What As the only girl with three brothers, I had Ann. I’m not going to tell you who they a rush! to stand my own ground. Of course, it are, because not only are they my mentors, didn’t help that my mother would rather they are my friends, and you don’t need For the rest of you, get your administrative go hunting than shopping. I never had a to drop names and titles when talking staff out there. Let them touch something chance to be a giwrly girl. about friends. These two have pushed me icky. They will thank you later for it and to learn as much as I can about the public you will create knowledgeable staff that But all kidding aside, I think all this set works field. I attend every training class, understands and does more than type your Who said….. me up to fall in love with the field of conference, and event I can. I’ve learned memos. I’m not allowed……? public works. I started out as a part-time to operate a roller and a fork lift. I’ve laid data entry clerk, and worked my way up asphalt and sod. I visit the project sites to My biggest obstacle working in the public through the ranks of the administrative understand what they are talking about works field for the last 10-plus years has field to my current position managing the when they ask for some more Ram-neck, been to convince the other women that Administrative Services Division. and like my mentors, I encourage my staff it’s okay to go into the men’s room to get to do the same. But, I can’t quite get them supplies. to go into the men’s room for supplies.

Where is it written that we have to have a separate society of women? Who said… you’re not allowed?

7 Patricia Biegler, P.E. Director of Public Works • Chesapeake, Virginia

certainly, I was the City of Chesapeake’s first educate the public and our elected officials. The first lesson came from a little poem female director of public works. Each day provides a new experience and a that was framed and hung in the convent’s Being the first has often placed me in new challenge to test myself against. It is hallway, “A little owl sat on an oak, the the limelight. Sometimes that has been always hectic and never, ever boring. more he heard, the less he spoke, the less positive and thrilling, but more often than he spoke, and the more he heard. Now not, it has created hard feelings, resistance Secondly, my career is one devoted to isn’t that a wise old bird.” Years later, I was and resentment. Reactions have ranged service. What I do each and every day is thrilled to hear Kate Hepburn recite the from supportive to condescending and, very real and makes a difference in people’s poem to John Wayne in the movie Rooster occasionally, to downright malignant. lives. People want to know that their tax Cogburn. It’s a very old fashioned idea, but While overall attitudes and general social dollars are being carefully spent. I know it has a great deal of merit. acceptance have improved since the 1970s, that I do that, even when they don’t when I first entered the field, there are recognize or understand the efforts being The second is a prayer attributed to still individuals who believe that women made on their behalf, and I find that aspect St. Francis starting “Lord, make me an don’t belong in engineering or public of the job immensely satisfying. instrument of Thy peace” and goes on to works. They firmly believe that women say “let me seek first to understand, then to can’t possibly do the job of director. Make On both a personal and professional level, be understood.” Really listening and then A Paradigm Shift! no mistake, retribution for daring to be the major challenge is, and always will be, seeking to understand why someone might what someone thinks you should not, still to maintain emotional balance. Everyone say or do hurtful things does not change My career has included a lot of “first” or happens. is subject to adversity of one kind or the action, but it can certainly reduce the “nearly first,” both locally and nationally. I another. My special challenge has been in hurt caused by the action. was the first female pre-engineering student Given that, why do I do what I do? Two overcoming the resistance that comes with at my community college. I was the first major reasons—first, I love the job. It is change and doing so with grace and dignity. When I was growing up in the 50s, the female Corps of Engineers construction the perfect career for me. It is diverse. world generally accepted that women inspector in the South. I was the only It provides constant challenges, both My first career choice was to be a nun. I married, had children and remained female student in many of my engineering technically and otherwise. I write. I do entered the convent of the Sisters of St. at home to raise those children. It was classes. Ultimately, I was the Army’s first PR. I do marketing. I manage, encourage Frances during high school. The two and a assumed that if they did work they would civilian female director of public works. I and inspire people. I give speeches. I use my half years I spent there taught me many of take jobs as teachers or nurses, jobs working was only the sixth female to be selected engineering education. I use my computer life’s lessons, but two stand out most clearly. with children or in support positions. I as one of APWA’s Top Ten public works skills. I constantly search for new and have to admit that I accepted that social officials in many years of such awards. And, better ways to work and better ways to paradigm without questioning it for many

8 Patricia Biegler, P.E.

years. I was not a confirmed women’s libber me to leave that firm, I was very seriously Second, changing paradigms is always Lastly, for those really hateful and and, frankly, the women’s lib movement considering a career as a draftsman or some uncomfortable and sometimes downright malignant personalities, remember that made me very uncomfortable, as we all are other support position in the engineering scary. I didn’t and don’t change my own hate only hurts the one who hates. A chip when our paradigms are challenged. field. But, on my last day, the engineer-in- perspective overnight, and I can’t expect on the shoulder usually results in that charge, whom I barely knew, took me aside others to adjust immediately either. person being a pain in the anatomy to the A man, an engineer, was the individual who and told me that I was darned good and rest of world. That’s a sure career killer and, made me look beyond career possibilities could be taking his place one day—running Third, even after a person’s basic perspective more importantly, robs your days of joie de that were support roles to choices of a an office, not just working there. It wasn’t changes, paradigms are habits, and vivre. professional and leadership nature. what I expected to hear and it still took habits can be hard to break. As a result, me some time, and a bit more experience, intentions don’t always match execution. In the early 70s, when I went in search of before I accepted that I could be—and As frustrating as it might be when someone my first real, full-time job, I went with my wanted to be—something beyond just a assumes I’m the secretary, I have to remind then-husband to the state employment draftsman or technician. myself that I’ve been guilty of the same office. Neither of us had any real job skills. kind of assumptions on occasion. At that time, they actually had separate This whole story leads back to the main entries and job listings for men and women. points I want to make. Fourth, humor is the best way to deal with I was sent off to interview for a receptionist apparent opposition. If you’re creative, you job at $65 a week and he went to interview Throughout my career, there has been can generally find a way to make your point for a surveyor’s assistant job at $100 a opposition. I handle it by reminding using humor, rather than having an angry week. He got the job. I did not. But I did myself of a few facts. The first is that the or hurtful confrontation. Fifth, it’s alright eventually interview with his engineering opposition I experience comes from just to feel sorry for yourself, but set a time limit firm and was hired. I have to admit that, a few individuals. The world is made up on the “pity party,” then put a smile back deep down inside, I felt as though I was mostly of good, right-minded people, on your face (metaphorically, anyway) and breaking some unwritten rule, but I needed and I can’t allow my relationships and wade back into the fray. the job and they seemed eager to have interactions with them be soured by those me. To make a long story short, they few. assigned me all sorts of tasks…surveying, field investigations, drafting, data input, writing, typing, layout, and I did well at all of them. By the time circumstances caused

9 Rebecca Bilderback, P.E. Civil Engineer II • Municipal Services • City of Olathe, Kansas

Like many public works elements such as My first introduction to engineering was My first experience in public works was an roads and trash collection, clean potable in the eighth grade. Several engineering 8-month co-op I worked in college with water and sewage collection are services students from the local university made the board of public service with the City that we use every day without a second a presentation to the class, showing us of St. Louis, Missouri. In St. Louis I had the thought even though they are vital to our pictures of bridges and space ships. My opportunity to see firsthand to construction lives. Safe, drinkable water allows us to interest was piqued, but I did not fully of public works infrastructure, primarily live healthy lives without fear of the many consider a career in engineering until high roads and pavement, are constructed. The water-borne diseases that water treatment school. As a junior in high school, I found inspection of infrastructure and observation eliminates or prevents. Solid waste and myself in the guidance councilor’s office of the interior of utility systems was very sewage collection mean that we no longer searching for an interesting and challenging valuable in allowing me to visualize water have to contend with waste in our streets, career that matched my skill strengths and sewer systems during design at my first while landfills and wastewater treatment in math and science. Civil engineering post-college position. The interaction with help keep our waterways pure. As in the was the perfect fit that for which I was residents, engineers, contractors and public Sim City game, roads can be built to your searching: multiple, interesting fields to officials and the insight into the process city, but no one will want to live in your choose from, all broad enough that I knew of expanding infrastructure, from funds city if it does not provide drinkable water I would never be bored. Plus, engineering allocation to project design to job bidding My Experience in Public Works and sanitary sewer services. had ample scholarship funding for a college to actual construction, gave me a full education and good job prospects after picture of public works. Flushing toilets and drinkable water from Public works make modern society as we college. the tap are results of the services I provide know it possible. Public works professionals For the past four years, I have worked in as a public works professional. While come from many different backgrounds: the field of civil engineering, specifically in public works includes the full spectrum of public works administration, science, the areas of water distribution and sanitary infrastructure and services that build a city, and engineering, to name a few. My sewer collection systems. Directly after such as transportation systems, stormwater background and current position is in college, I went to work for Bucher, Willis, collection systems, water storage and engineering. & Ratliff Corporation in the Kansas City, distribution, sanitary sewer collection, Missouri, area designing and analyzing water and wastewater treatment, solid water distribution and storage systems waste collection and landfills, I am mostly and sanitary sewer collection systems for involved in the water distribution and cities and public works divisions across the sanitary sewer collection systems in Olathe, United States. Kansas. 10 Rebecca Bilderback, P.E.

On the design side, I enjoyed learning the Part of determining whether a new My work experience in engineering and different parts of a system and figuring development will have adequate water and public works has exceeded my expectations. out how to piece them together to create sanitary sewer services is utilizing modeling Looking back at the internships and co-ops a working system: from selecting pipe programs to analyze an additional demand that I worked in college and the experience materials and joints, sizing pipes, selecting to the existing systems. Modeling is an that I have gained since entering the and placing valves, determining required aspect of my job that truly interests me. workforce post graduation, I am amazed water pressures and water storage required, Not only do I get to see how an entire at the amount of opportunities that have to describing the components required in system works, I get to see how it works been made available and at the knowledge the specifications. On the analysis side, dynamically with changes due to real-world I have gained. From learning about the I enjoyed delving into different systems, demands. Plus, the systems I am analyzing public works elements that make a city, to learning how they work and searching for are the ones that provide service to me at teaching family members and friends how solutions when they do not work. work and at home every day. It is great to to recognize the different styles of elevated be “in the know” about the systems that I water storage by sight, engineering is always Recently, I joined the municipal services use personally. interesting. group with the City of Olathe, Kansas, the city I have called home since college My position with the City provides me Not only are the work opportunities varied graduation. I meet with developers and view of the full spectrum of public works and interesting, working in public works their design engineers to ensure that new and allows me to participate in many of is great because I know that the services I developments have adequate water and the production stages. For one entire city, provide are making a difference in people’s sanitary sewer services available. In areas I get to see where funding comes from to lives and sustaining their high quality of without existing water and sanitary sewer maintain existing systems and support life. While most people do not realize the services, I provide guidance for extending growing infrastructure and gaze into the impact that flushing toilets and drinkable the existing water and sewer systems to future to see where growth is occurring and water from the tap have on their quality provide service to the area. Once the where services will be required next. Every of life, public works professionals do, engineers submit utility and building plans, day, I provide input on new utility systems and I thoroughly enjoy my active role in I review their systems to check that they to ensure that they are well designed. providing a valuable service. will work and are designed to the city’s Occasionally, a resident will inform me of a specifications and codes. problem with an existing system, and I then get to work on determining a solution.

11 Shelly Billingsley, P.E. Staff Engineer, City of Kenosha, Wisconsin

professions that I saw as a young child. and is. This realization did not dampen my in public works. Engineering is a profession Even though I would draw roads, parking determination to become a great engineer, dedicated to solving problems. That lots, and buildings on rolls of paper to nor did I allow it to impact the way that I presents a constant challenge, but when provide my younger brother a place to went on to complete the tasks that I was you add the reactions of my profession to a drive his Matchbox cars, I had no idea that assigned. I would have to give a lot of society, which does not see women in this people dedicated their lives to incorporate credit of my engineering practices and part role often, I feel that it makes me a stronger these “imaginary towns” into real life of my determination, to a mentor who person and more determined to have a infrastructure that people use on a daily spent a lot of time showing me “the ropes.” positive impact on the community. I have basis. He helped me appreciate what makes a to admit that society is more accepting than professional engineer be someone who most people give it credit, at least in the Then one day my father introduced me not only jumps at the chance to take on instances in which I have been involved. to the profession that he loves. He is a and conquer a challenge, but also realizes I will not say that you do not experience mechanical engineer; and though I chose that solutions can also have an impact on some instances where you hear the a somewhat different path, he was my a community. I cannot think of a better occasional “You are an engineer?” or have inspiration in finding a profession that I way to have a positive affect on the lives of the feeling that even though you are giving believe makes me who I am today. people than to change the community in them an answer, on some level they may Women in Public Works Engineering which they live. doubt your ability. I may be optimistic, but I will be the first to admit that it has not I believe that the more public works evolves “What do you want to be when you grow been an easy road to travel, working in a I took this to heart and thought what in diversity, the more accepted women will up?” is a question that is asked of everyone predominantly male profession. But the better way to impact a community than become in this role. at some point in his or her life. It may not reward and pride I feel after completing a to work in public works. I was fortunate be at the most inspiring moments, but it project outweighs any of the difficult steps to find a position in the department of In the four years that I have spent working is a question that inspires young minds to along the way. Immediately following public works for the municipality where I for public works, I now find myself one think of the future. It is not often that a graduation from college, I spent three live. Working on a staff of six engineers, of two women engineers working for the young girl will answer that question with years in the private sector. I worked for a I was not only one of the younger staff department. In addition, within the last “I want to be an engineer,” however, in my consulting firm, and I was the only woman engineers but also the only woman in year we have also two women engineering case this was an answer I gave after the age engineer in what the company referred the engineering department. Being a technicians. This led me to believe that of about ten. In my early years I typically to as the “civil” division. This is where I female in a male dominated field has its there are other women engineers out there answered, “I want to be a veterinarian… realized what the ratio of men to women challenges and rewards, and this is only who may be experiencing the same things a doctor… a dentist…” as these were the in the engineering profession actually was exaggerated in being a professional woman that I have in my short career. In the

12 Shelly Billingsley, P.E.

future, maybe the ratio between men and women in engineering and public works as a whole will become closer to equal.

Public works has a lot to offer, and if you can turn the few negative opinions into positive experiences, I would have to say that it is a gratifying field to work in. I can only speak for the division to which I am assigned, but being an engineer in public works allows me the option to do just about anything from roadway design to maintenance work on a park shelter. I definitely never run out of stimulating projects that give me pride in my work and, ultimately, in my life.

13 Becky Caldwell Assistant Solid Waste Director • City of Franklin, Tennessee

working in fields where men are expected, I am a certified professional secretary Leadership, effective communication on but some men choose to work in areas (CPS); I have completed the transfer station various levels, intuition, political savvy and traditionally filled by women, as well. safety and collection safety programs people skills are non-technical skills that While my daily activities vary, most include offered through SWANA, and appreciated lead to success in the 2007 business arena. budgeting, routing, departmental planning, the opportunity to be trained in National Work hard, stay focused and be prepared. operations and safety of employees, Incident Management System – Incident Life is learning and continuing to gather hiring new staff, purchasing, accounting, Command Systems (NIMS) by local fire information from trade organizations, equipment specifications, inventory control personnel. headline news, local networks and those and public education. people with which you choose to spend To those women interested in becoming time. Current projects include implementation part of the public works world, I say, of citywide fleet maintenance service, always be true to yourself. Maintain your I was born and raised in the small eastern an organized public education program, self-respect and confidence, all along Kentucky town of Paintsville. I have a research for possible introduction of a remembering who you are and where you bachelor’s degree in business administration curbside recycling program, standard came from. from Eastern Kentucky University, and a operating procedures for our Solid Waste master’s degree in business administration, Meeting the Challenge to Make a department and service plans with routing Primary to gaining respect as a woman from from the University of Phoenix. When I am Difference for newly annexed areas. those around you is learning that you do not wearing my “garbage girl” hat, I enjoy not have to measure up in the same ways reading, quilting and gardening. I have served as assistant solid waste As a member of the Solid Waste Association men do. If you work hard and do your job director for the City of Franklin, Tennessee, of North America (SWANA), I possess to the best of your ability, regardless of what since 2004. I accepted this position as a certification in solid waste collection career you choose, success is within your challenge with the belief I could make a systems, municipal solid waste (MSW) reach. Accept those opportunities no one difference in a specialty I grew to appreciate. management and solid waste transfer else is interested in, sign-up for committees systems. Of these areas, I have had the to gain valuable insight from fellow team One of the daily challenges is overcoming pleasure of teaching collection systems and members within your organization, choose gender bias in areas classified as public MSW management to individuals from to attend meetings others believe are a works. Just as other industries experienced around the country. waste of time and maintain membership in an influx of women, in non-traditional industry trade organizations to network and female roles, public works divisions, too, are learn from those around you. affected. This trend is not limited to women 14 Waynette A. Chan Deputy Assistant Director • Public Works/Engineering • City of Houston, Texas

As I reflect on my career it’s clear that being Career Path Experience and Role Models Advice to Young Women in public service has been a major part of As a Portland, Oregon, police officer My career growth continued when I was The one thought I would offer to all women my life. Being an Asian female working I worked in various capacities from afforded the opportunity to move back is to always remember the many battles in usually male dominated jobs has never undercover to public information and later to Houston and work for then Mayor fought on their behalf. The successes were affected my desire to be a public servant. as an assistant to then Chief of Police Bruce Kathy Whitmire. Later I transitioned hard fought and should not be taken for Early in my career I knew that I wanted to Baker. It was at that time that I learned a into the department of public works and granted. I encourage everyone, especially use my skills and talents to make my piece great deal about how to serve as a public engineering. To be honest, I had little women seeking opportunities in any area, of the world better. administrator. I developed organizational experience in this area, but I saw this as to examine what you can uniquely bring skills that eventually led to my managing one more piece of the puzzle that had to the table. I believe working smarter is the district attorney’s office. While it led me to public service. One of the most more productive than working harder. It’s appeared that I was on a law enforcement challenging experiences was working in quite rewarding to measure your career career path, I felt something was missing. the internal audit and contract compliance knowing that you have accomplished In 1983 I got the opportunity to move to section and having to learn how to focus your goals by using all the knowledge Houston and serve as the chief of staff for on extremely minute details and follow accumulated through the years. I would then-Chief of Police Lee P. Brown. That stringent guidelines. One of the most encourage those seeking careers in public experience allowed me to look beyond the rewarding experiences was establishing the works to stay in school. We are always law enforcement track for my future. Some protocol to sell street milling material from looking for educational expertise in public years later I moved to Austin, Texas, to overlay projects back to recyclers realizing administration. Also, however, spend time become the assistant to the city manager, a substantial financial return to the city. developing other hobbies and interests. The offering me a chance to embrace change I currently serve as chief of staff for the education we get outside of the classroom and take on the challenge of moving from director of Houston’s department of public is equally important to a formal classroom. law enforcement into public administration. works, which still fulfills my desire to serve Learn at every juncture in life. Persons the public. Throughout my career I have with a variety of educational and personal been fortunate to work for male role models experiences best meet the diverse challenges who had a global vision of fairness and in the public sector. Experience life to its equality and who focused on the good of fullest. It makes you a better person and a the organization. That’s one of the things better professional. many women managers need to keep in focus.

Recommended Reading: Art of War for Women: Sun Tzu’s Ancient Strategies and Wisdom for Winning at Work, by Chin-Ning Chu

15 Katherine M. Claeys Light Rail Project Engineer, SDOT • City of Seattle, Washington

really think it’s the people I’ve met over the one. All the people, the technical sessions, I guess being an engineer was in my genes. years and the friendships I’ve made. It’s that the vendor exhibits ….I didn’t realize how I went to Holy Names Academy, an “all simple. There are many times at conferences big an organization APWA really was! girls” Catholic high school, and had a great that networking with other public works By going to Congress, there are so many math and science education, but they didn’t professionals has been invaluable to my opportunities to network, mentor, and really talk much about careers for women career and given me insight in other areas share information with other public works in engineering. In fact, when I started of my field that I wouldn’t get from work. professionals across the nation and other college, I was going to be a nurse and didn’t APWA has helped broaden my interest in countries. I highly recommend going to know anything about civil engineering. public works; otherwise, I may have ended Congress if you’ve never been. But my love for math and science kept me up being very focused in my career. For going, and one day I stumbled into a statics example, when I graduated from college, At Congress there was one particular event, class… then I was hooked. I feel lucky for I thought I was going to be a structural which I found extremely valuable and hope discovering a career path that is my passion engineer for my entire career. Then one day to continue getting more involved in at a because it hasn’t always been easy being I was asked to join the APWA transportation national level. In 2005, it was the first time a wife, mother, and engineer. It’s been a committee, and look where it has taken they’ve held a “Women in Public Works constant struggle over the years to balance me. I thought I was going in one direction, Forum,” and the room was full with over Two Things That Made a all the demands in my life and work full and APWA has taken me in another! I think 60 public works professionals who shared Difference for Me time—especially when my two boys were being a member of APWA has enriched my not only their challenges but also how young. experience as a civil engineer, and I hope we need to keep encouraging networking In writing this article, and reflecting there are others out there that feel the same and education opportunities especially on the last 25 years of my public works I’ve been involved in APWA for so many way. for young girls. Everyone agreed that we career working for the Washington State years with the goal of being the Washington need to keep reaching out to students in Department of Transportation and the State Chapter president, and last year in There’s another huge benefit of being an both grade school and high school and get City of Seattle, I’ve realized that having a 2006 I succeeded—I can’t believe it! I APWA member that I didn’t even realize them interested in pursuing a career in civil mentor and getting involved in professional recently thought about why I’ve been so until 2005. Every year, our Washington engineering. Even our guest speaker, Dr. organizations are the two things which involved and what motivates me to put chapter sends the vice-president and Bonnie Dunbar (former NASA astronaut), at have really made a difference in my “work in all these volunteer hours for APWA. I president to the National APWA Congress. our Yakima, Washington, conference, said life.” It may sound crazy to some of you, honestly have very little spare time in my September 2005 was my first year attending that there has been a decline in engineering but I’ve always enjoyed what I do, and it’s day; however, there’s something about congress in Minneapolis. First, I was degrees since the peak in 1987. She said we never bothered me to go to work (okay, this organization that has kept me actively overwhelmed by the entire experience need to focus on inspiring young people to maybe a few times!). involved for over 16 years now. For me, I and, second, I never want to miss another pursue interests in math and science and 16 Katherine M. Claeys

keep advocating education. I really believe APWA can help get that message out along with other efforts being made.

As I was saying, having a mentor for the last 20 years and getting involved in APWA has enriched my career and given me the confidence to take on goals like being APWA Washington State president. At times, I think I’m crazy for taking on so much along with everything else going on in my life, but the rewards and personal satisfaction have meant a lot me. Plus, I’ve made life long friendships through APWA. This has been invaluable.

17 Rossana G. D’Antonio, P.E., GE Civil & Geotechnical Engineer • County of Los Angeles, Dept. of Public Works • Los Angeles, California

program along with thirteen other women More importantly, we must have self- managers. I was initially perplexed as to awareness of our strengths and learn how the need for this council. After all, how to maximize them. This is a skill men could we as women expect equality if we do all too well. We must be confident in were getting special treatment? Is it really speaking out at meetings, volunteering the responsibility of the organization to for challenging opportunities, and create channels for women to succeed, or proudly informing our supervisors of our does the burden fall on the individual, male accomplishments. In other words, we must or female, to find opportunities to shine? stand out. I quickly learned that in today’s world of diversity, success is measured in the perfect Ironically, I learned these skills from fit of both pieces of the puzzle. observing and mimicking the men I respect and admire. I have taken these skills and The council has made great strides since made them my own and incorporated my its formation. We developed a mission own personal, softer side. There is no single statement; refined our goals; established right or wrong way to go about making our An Individual Woman’s Perspective committees that focus on outreach in presence known. Trust your instincts and the areas of membership, mentoring, speak out. During my 17 years of service as a civil and communications, and field staff; designed geotechnical engineer at the County of Los a mentoring program; and have become a I am now in a position in my organization Angeles Department of Public Works, I have presence in our organization. But we have where my voice can be heard, and my seen few women in leadership roles. Was so much more work to do. opinions and recommendations are this because of the infamous glass ceiling held in high regard. I do not take this theory or the small pool of qualified women We as women also carry a responsibility responsibility lightly. My goal is to use to choose from? to ourselves and to the organization we this voice for the good of the organization, work for. We must be accountable for our remain true to my convictions and be a In 2004, the department created the Public qualifications. Self-awareness is perhaps worthy example to the new generation Works Women’s Council in order to address the most crucial element in leadership. of young women who will be looking to women’s issues in the workplace. I was We must improve our skills, enhance our women like me for leadership. We must be appointed to the council to help launch the education, and overcome our shortcomings. ready to welcome the challenge.

18 Kelly Dinsmore Stormwater Program Coordinator • City of Newark, Delaware

system) cities, but I will provide more detail while still earning credits toward your In the beginning, the major challenge for on that fateful decision later. degree? And yes, I still remain a Nittany me was to successfully apply and receive Lion fan to this day. NPDES permit coverage for the City of My affinity for water and the outdoors Newark, Delaware, while up against a started early, as I could be found water I was recruited just before graduation by the rapidly approaching deadline. A large part skiing or fishing on the Bohemia River New Jersey Department of Environmental of my job in the early stages was trying almost every weekend. My hobbies have Protection as an Environmental Specialist. to figure out what the requirements were, followed suit, as I have enjoyed maintaining After a couple of years, I moved to take trying to align what the City was already a freshwater fish aquarium for as long as a position with the Virginia Department doing and could take credit for, plus figure I can remember. So, even when I am not of Health as an Environmental Health out how to add new elements to enhance near the water, I can enjoy it at home with Specialist, Sr. This experience on the the program. my 75 gallon African cichlid aquarium. regulatory end of the business helped set the stage for my current position in Our program consists of the following six After high school graduation, I was accepted municipal government. MCM (Minimum Control Measures): at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvani. I remember sitting down So how does an affinity for water lead one • Public Education and Outreach Making a Splash in Public Works with my academic advisor trying to pick to the public works field? Well, the City of • Public Participation and Involvement a major. He asked what I enjoy doing, Newark, Delaware, happened to be close to • Illicit Discharge Detection and Little did I know that while I was splashing so I told him about my love of water and home, and was looking for someone with Elimination around in the White Clay Creek in the outdoors. He said he had a great fit in a background like mine to satisfy an EPA • Construction Site Runoff Controls Pennsylvania as a little girl, I was literally the environmental resource management requirement for small MS4 cities called • Post Construction Controls getting my feet wet in the field of water program. I could even specialize in water the NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge • Pollution Prevention and Good quality. resources. Behold a major was born! After Elimination System) Phase II Stormwater Housekeeping for Municipal Operations. entering the program, I managed to land Regulations. As I stated above, I was hired I am currently the stormwater program two summertime internships close to home by the public works director midway Each MCM has specific activities and coordinator for the City of Newark, at the Stroud Water Research Center. No through 2002, as the March 2003 EPA measurable goals associated with it. Delaware. I was hired by the public works matter what major you pick, I think it is deadline was looming for small MS4 cities. director midway through 2002, as the important to try to get working knowledge March 2003 EPA deadline was looming for in that field. What better way to obtain small MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer that knowledge than working as an intern,

19 Kelly Dinsmore

My program has evolved over time, as It’s funny how life can lead you in a full stormwater knowledge has evolved. I circle. The same White Clay Creek I played consider the primary goal of the NPDES in as a child runs through the city I now stormwater program to improve the quality work for. What has changed is that now I of stormwater runoff reaching our creeks feel a personal commitment to do my part and tributaries, thereby improving water to keep it clean so other generations can get quality. I must now focus on fine-tuning their feet wet just as I did. the program to further accomplish that water quality goal.

Now that we are nearing the end of our first 5-year permit cycle, I look back on some of the challenges I encountered in setting up the program, and am proud of how most of them were conquered. Despite not having a background in public works or construction, I luckily have the support of coworkers who have been more than willing to share their knowledge with me. They even laugh at me (or with me?) on occasion when I ask a stupid question. I anticipate some of the future challenges to come in the form of meeting the TMDL (total maximum daily loads) requirements, funding, creating new ideas, and workload size. The stormwater field is constantly evolving, and I hope to meet new challenges with the same energy that I had in the beginning of this program.

20 Tonya Elliott Assistant Director of Public Works • Ocoee, Florida

Navigating the Path Less Traveled existent and job stress intense. But in 1999 and knowledge were invaluable to my gained knowledge about transportation that all changed for me. I knew I wanted to career path progression. But the most planning and construction. I prepared and My story is a very unique one. I have taken make a difference in life. I wanted to have influential impact on my life came when I made presentations to the Metro Planning a very unorthodox path to the position of a positive effect and impact on the lives developed a close working relationship with Organization for the area and was the assistant director of public works. However, of others. I wanted to be able to lay my Maitland’s public works director through communication liaison at all construction I do believe that many employers should be head down at night and say I had made a my efforts on the water conservation job sites for the Major Interstate running taking a look at alternative choices when difference. That opportunity came for me Initiative. Water and wastewater operations through the Metro Orlando area. it comes to public works management. at the City of Maitland in Central Florida. were divisions in the public works They may be pleasantly surprised by the Maitland was a well-to-do, small, family department so my conservation initiatives In 2004, I gained the position of results. Public works is much more than community, largely supported by a very were on their behalf. This important public community relations manager at the City engineering and technical field work. It is prosperous, high dollar premier business works mentor took the time to show me of Ocoee and was honored to be offered a multimillion dollar enterprise and usually park. It was the quintessential Mayberry. the ropes in public works. As the city the position of assistant director of public one of the largest, if not the largest piece I was fortunate enough to be hired as the spokesperson it was imperative that I be up works by the director of the department and of the government pie. A person with a community relations coordinator for the to speed on every project and process in with the approval and support of the city well rounded background, a common sense City. Although this was a public relations the city. My mentor took the responsibility manager. In Ocoee the valuable knowledge approach, and a good head for financial, position, perfect for my education, it came of showing me all of this very seriously I had gained through my mentor impressed personnel, and operational matters can with a high emphasis on working with the and, as a result, I learned a lot about the upper management enough to take a make a great asset to a public works team. St. Johns River Water Management District public works. I also took the initiative of public relations professional and make her in implementing a water conservation helping him in my spare time with some an assistant director of public works in just My story evolved and unfolded for me in initiative. This program would bring me of his administrative tasks as public works over a year and a half. the fall of 1999. I was a confident, brash, in contact with my life’s mentor and the director. I soaked up everything he would and upbeat young woman of 25 years old. I person who would change the course of my give me, and after four years with the City, Let me tell you it is tough being a young had a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from professional life forever. I had gained a broad understanding of City woman who has risen very quickly in a the University of Central Florida. Upon government from the administrative and field she was not educated to be a part graduation I had set out to conquer the I was fortunate in this position, as I operational side. of. And there are a lot of people who will world. I hit the cycle of cruel advertising worked for the manager of the office of be ready to knock you off your pedestal. and public relations agencies, whose success management and budget and helped put From there I expanded my horizons by But I have found that with hard work and and thus ones employment rose and fell on that document together annually. This becoming a consultant to the Florida dedication as well as applying yourself to the number of clients they possessed at any allowed me to learn about municipal Department of Transportation for Interstate listening and learning there is nothing that given time. This made job security non- finances and budgeting. This experience Program Management. In this position I can hold you down. I am proud to say my

21 Tonya Elliott

present position is just a stepping stone can leave you with, it is this….find a person to bigger and better things and by that I willing to share everything they can with mean I have proved I can excel at this job, you as a mentor. Someone who has your even if I come from the wrong side of the best interest at heart and wants you to tracks as they say, I can still advance. I am succeed…from them you will learn more gaining the knowledge I need to keep on than any textbook or lecturer could ever bettering myself each and every day. One give you. Take the path less traveled and day this female, non-engineer will be a enjoy every minute of it! director of public works in some progressive community in the future.

It is a terrific feeling to know that I make a difference in the world every day. In public works I make people’s lives better on a minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour basis and that is a wonderful feeling. I have grown to have such a love for the unsung heroes of the public works field and I make it my life’s goal to promote the wonderful staffs who serve the citizens of the communities of America.

In conclusion I encourage everyone to take the path less traveled, take a chance on doing something different than what you expected you would do with your life, you just may end up surprised…like an advertising/public relations major who became an assistant director of public works…and if there is one piece of advice I

22 Farideh Faraji Engineer III • Mountain House Community Services District • City of Mountain House, California

designed by a woman architect. Something School at Texas A & M University. I tried several soil companies, since my unexplainable moved my soul, and I wished In order to support myself, I wouldn’t Masters was in Geotechnical. I was hired to become an engineer and get involved say “NO” to any job I could find. From by Kleinfelder & Associates in San Ramon, with buildings. car washing, housekeeping , clothing California in 1986. I worked in a soil lab alterations, baby sitting, drafting or lab and was sent to the field as an inspector Time went by. I obtained my high school technician in Cyclotron Institute at Texas on a small job. It was enough to get a diploma and got a job in a consulting A & M , I have done it all to put myself little taste of field work and become not engineering company learning and working through college while living with American too happy to return to the office. Working as a draftsperson. Meanwhile, I was taking families and doing their house chores for for Kleinfelder & Assoc. was my first field an entrance exam in every university in Iran exchange of room and board. experience. Slowly I was getting to know to enter the engineering college. Out of that office work was not my cup of tea. I 300,000 applicants every year, only 10,000 I graduated with a master’s degree in civil desired to get out of the office. So I knew could go to the university. Apparently I was engineering from Texas A & M University that soil companies were the place to find a not one of them. Then I got a job with a in 1977 and began working with Brown & field job. steel mill company and met an engineer Root Inc. in Houston Texas. who was educated in the United States. Between 1986 and 1991, I worked for Love Is in the Air at Mountain House! Because of his encouragement that I should Even though I was with a large company several engineering companies in the Bay persue my dream in the United States, I and had a chance to work on many area. In each company I learned new things Four years ago I was excited to be employed decided to do so. I came to this land of different projects, expanding my experience and expanded my knowledge in different by Mountain House Community Services opportunity with no money, no knowledge in civil engineering, I always thought that aspects of Civil Engineering. District as a field engineer/public works of the English language and no one to pick I was not getting 100 percent satisfaction inspector. People have asked me what I had me up at the airport. from what I thought an Engineer should From off-shore platform design in the Gulf to do to get this interesting and wonderful be. I always wanted to be in charge of of Mexico, airstrip design in Saudi Arabia, job. Nothing matters when the dream is so high something bigger and better! The office job coal power plants in Utah, foundations, and you have nothing to lose! was not what I dreamed of, and I had no roads, pavements, to subdivision design It all began when I was 13 years of age, idea where I should look for that especial and plan checking, I have done it all. It was driving with my uncle in Tehran. We To make a very long story short, I began satisfaction. in 1995 that I learned of the Los Vaqueros passed a movie theater called Cinema to learn English and work on two or three Dam being built 15 miles from my home Atlantic. My uncle told me the building was jobs while attending the Civil Engineering in Antioch, California. I wrote a letter to

23 Farideh Faraji

the project manager and asked him for an At completion of the Los Vaqueros Dam, it Being involved with the Mountain House Four years ago when I was coming to work interview. Two weeks passed, and I called became the highest point of my career. By project from the beginning gives me in the morning, it was the poplar trees on and left a message; no one returned my call. then, I was sure that my passion was in the a special feeling. Mountain House has Mountain House Parkway that reminded field. become almost a second home to me. It me that I was close to work. Now when I get I was losing my passions! I stopped by to is so overwhelming to be part of such a close to Mountain House especially in the see the construction manager and asked Years passed and I refused to work in community and watching it grow day by winter, I see the lights on the horizon that him why he did not answer my letter or engineering offices until I heard about a day. Since four years ago, Mountain House remind me there is actually a town ahead of my calls. After 15 minutes of explaining new town being built 25 miles from my has grown from nothing to a town with me and this is the town that I have watched why he has to hire local people instead of home. I applied for a position at Mountain over 4,000-plus population and is still being built from the first day. hiring out of state, he arranged an interview House and was offered the job. growing. I wish I was younger to be able for me; the next day and I was hired by to live and work in Mountain House until The best part of this project is that work Raytheon Construction Company as an Since July 2, 2003, my life has changed! I the completion of the project, but I still feel is not predictable. Each day has its own inspector working on the Los Vaqueros have never been so contented. First of all, I lucky to be part of it anyway, even though excitement and challenge. For someone Dam. work entirely with men at the construction I became associated with this project late in like me that gets bored with routine so site. Everyone is extremely friendly and life. easily, this is the best job I ever had, and I The work was on a 24 hours operation cooperative. The sense of humor at the job have been blessed to be part of this project. schedule, 12 hour shifts and 6 days a week. site is what keeps me going all day. It’s My interaction with wonderful people Learning new things every day is another I worked from 5:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. an honor to be part of such a magnificent from construction managers, landscapers, advantage of working in Mountain House. During that time, I was sitting on top of project, something that was not happening concrete workers, laborers, residents and As they say, knowledge is power. No wonder the mountains grouting 1200 holes for the in the United States for the last 40 years, many others is keeping me going. I feel I wear these powerful boots on the job site earth dam foundation and working in a and now I am the first field engineer on site better and younger every day in spite of even though they are only size 5 ½. 1306 foot tunnel, or drilling stone columns dealing with so many interesting people the wrinkles that are appearing out of my at a pump station next to the levees. I saw from all over the world. Spanish is the control. Mountain House is surrounded I could go on by expounding about my job sunsets and sunrises. I saw the magnificent dominant language at our construction site, by beautiful mountains and many wind but I need to stop and just let you know moon at night. The temperature changed and I am working daily with compassionate turbines that some residents think are the that “Love Is in the Air in Mountain House” from 20 degrees with extreme wind in the and pleasant people. They all work hard, reason for it being windy in Mountain and I am a lucky one to be here! winter to 115 degrees in the summer. rain or shine, and never complain. I look House, and ask us to turn off the fans! forward to my morning travel to work!

24 Rebecca Foster Engineering Technician • City of Edina, Minnesota

Overall, I maintain the City’s major a map of the neighborhood showing the In the utility department, I’ve transformed shapefiles which are an address and survey results of the proposed sidewalks or their recordkeeping of sanitary sewer street name geodatabases, aerial photos, streetlights. blockages, water main breaks, and private centerline and parcels for other GIS end wells by plotting the incidents and wells on users. I’ve designed interactive maps on Transportation has been another important a city map. This allows our city engineer to Edina’s website for the public to use to mapping area with reproducing the old, better demonstrate to the city council the look up benchmarks, parks, and zoning, disintegrated highlighted maps showing problem areas and the need for immediate and soon I’ll be adding our comprehensive where stop signs are installed, the traffic replacement of the infrastructure rather water resources management Plan. functional classification, and traffic signals. than waiting to do so during the street I created an auto crash map to help our reconstruction phase. The private wells I’m the City’s liaison for the local traffic safety coordinator determine if an map came in handy when one of the City’s government information systems intersection needs a stop sign. I have most wells was contaminated. We needed to association and Hennepin County GIS user of our MSAS traffic counts combined on notify the residents that had wells within a groups. I participate in the Rowekamp Tech one map showing increased or decreased certain buffer area of our well to get theirs Forums and the MN GIS/LIS Consortium traffic patterns in a neighborhood instead of inspected too. to bring in new GIS technology to the City. trying to compare multiple maps. I’ve also A Leadership Role in Public Works This year, I am the conference chair for the made sidewalk and sign maps for a Safest Within the past two years, I’ve implemented MN GIS/LIS Consortium’s 17th annual fall Route to School grant. our Cityworks assest management software. My leadership role within the City of conference. I’m maintaining our sanitary sewers, storm Edina’s public works is the engineering Additionally, for the street department, sewers, water mains, streets, streetlights, technician whose primary focus is In the engineering department, I bring life I created and maintain maps of the and signs in a geodatabase. I can plot the on geographic information systems to our feasibility presentations of our local past, present, and future of our city’s service requests that come in from residents (GIS). I manage and provide maps street reconstruction projects at city council infrastructure. Some of the maps are age and work orders currently being processed and asset management data within the meetings and open houses for our residents. of our streets, seal coat, mill and overlays, on a map. engineering, transportation, streets, and The colorful maps I create display where the sidewalks, local street and state aid capitol utility departments. I’ve been in this proposed project area is and identifies the improvement plans, etc. Our residents A service request example can be a pothole leadership role for the last five years; prior amount each property is to be assessed. As are always asking when we are going to or sod damage from a snow plow. Our to this, I was with another local municipal part of the feasibility study, area residents reconstruct their neighborhood or add public works maintenance staff can plan government for three years and a private are surveyed to determine if they want sidewalks, and now we can give them an a sensible route for an asphalt truck to fill utility company for two years. sidewalks or streetlights. To aide the city approximate year using one of these maps. in the potholes and not jump all around council with their decision, I symbolize within the city or it will tell us where a 25 Rebecca Foster thin mill and overlay should occur. For the could tell you about that I’ve implemented sod damage, maybe we need to install curb within the City of Edina’s public works and gutter or talk to the snow plow driver department and throughout the entire to be more careful next time he’s in that City, but these are the top highlights. neighborhood. I’ve shown you that GIS is a visual aid in council presentations and open houses, A work order from Cityworks can be revitalization of our historical highlighted attached to all of the infrastructure feature maps, and an asset management database of classes within my geodatabase. For our utility infrastructure…..and this is why example, we can select a storm sewer outfall my GIS leadership role is so important to and read comments of the repairs that need selling and marketing public works. to be done on the apron, view pictures of how the structure currently looks in the field that I’ve attached and set a five year cycle reminder of the next inspection date.

This summer, the City is going to start using a global positioning system (GPS) to field verify all of our infrastructure, inspect, and collect the correct attribute information. As a result, I’ll be moving the existing feature classes to the new x,y coordinates over the next few years and correcting the database tables. After the database tables have been fully populated with pipe attributes, users will be able to query how much sanitary sewer pipe is within the city along with pipe types, and sizes.

In closing, there are many more maps that I

26 Susan M. Hann, P.E., AICP, ICMA-CM Deputy City Manager • City of Palm Bay, Florida

If the HR recruitment ads were truthful, I’m not a parent, but I think the roles Of course, that is one of the scary things they would say something like “Glutton are somewhat analogous. I consider about being in public works or being a for Punishment wanted to work long myself a steward of our community. It parent. You make a gazillion decisions, hours, for low pay, building things people is my responsibility to do the best I can you lead by example and you do your best need but don’t want while maintaining to make sure our residents are safe and 110% of the time–but sometimes you don’t crumbling assets in a manner that no one happy with their city services. Do I always really know the impact of your actions until finds acceptable with dwindling resources. succeed? Absolutely not! But, over time, much later in time. Like parenting, public Pleasant personality required.” I can see that I have had a small but works decisions can be high risk and often important influence on our community. irrevocable. And, like parenting, you have So why do I love this job and continue to The road project I worked on 15 years ago to live with the consequences ☺ invest my life in this profession? may actually get built this year. The first municipal charter school opened this year, Throughout my career I have created Although I’m not really an emotional despite wetlands and other obstacles that many “learning opportunities” for myself person, the truth is I work from the heart. could have derailed the project. The trail by making less than optimum decisions. I do this job because I am energized project with a pedestrian bridge that had But, acknowledging and then cleaning and excited about solving problems and many skeptics is now well used by our up my own mess is part of growing as a Reflections of a Public Works Fanatic helping build projects that are important residents and serves as a model to other professional. I suspect parenting provides to our community. I don’t expect applause communities. My involvement in many of many of the same opportunities for internal Public service is not for the faint at heart. It from our city residents when we build these projects may be small, but I know that reflection such as “gee, I could have really takes a special person to dedicate his a new sewer plant, but every once in my little contribution helped to make the handled that better!” or her life to working very hard for a group awhile a resident will say thank you or I project become a reality. Like parenting, the of people who, for the most part, can be will see a bunch of kids playing in a new impact of the things I do today might not Interestingly, writing this short article has ungrateful, unpleasant, unrealistic, rude, neighborhood park and I go home with a be obvious for decades, but my influence on also caused some internal reflection too. and many other adjectives that probably big smile on my face. the community (whether good or bad) will Why am I here working on a holiday? Why should not be printed here. (Gosh, this be there forever. am I writing an article that I hope will almost sounds like being a parent ☺) be inspirational to others thinking about this profession? Why am I really in this profession? Should I have done something else with my life? Why don’t I retire or take a less stressful job? At first glance, you

27 Susan M. Hann, P.E., AICP, ICMA-CM

would think these would be hard questions, Like my dad did for me, I hope that I can but really, the answers are all easy. If I had leave a legacy of unbridled enthusiasm the chance to say “do over” with my life, I for the public works profession. Whether wouldn’t take it, because I love what I do you are filling the pothole or leading the each and every day. department, you have an essential role in your community. Wherever you are on the Public works is an affair of the heart. I organizational chart–in the public works inherited the love and respect for this profession–you can point to something in profession from my dad, who plowed snow your community and say, “I helped build at midnight with a big smile and proudly that.” It’s a great feeling to be a part of the showed me as a young girl the bridges he very foundation of your community and built in New Jersey. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve your country. come to understand his excitement and joy when he hopped in the truck each morning and ventured out to quietly shape his small corner of the world. Nurturing your community is an awesome responsibility with incredible rewards.

28 Sherry Heim Surface Drainage Operations Manager • Public Works Department • City of Tulsa, Oklahoma

position when I transferred to the police promoted me into the operations manager president. It was an honor to serve the department’s communications division. I job. I was so inspired by the faith that association members as their leader, a worked 10 years for the police as a 911-call she had in my capabilities that I enrolled position I never would have dreamed that taker and dispatcher before being promoted in a bachelor’s degree program, which I I could accomplish had it not been for my to an administrative supervisor in the finished in 2002. From there, it was an easy mentor and friend, Mary Ann Summerfield. stormwater management section of the transition to my master’s degree, which I public works department. finished in 2004. My personal philosophy is “Education is a lifelong journey.” It took me 20 years to Mary Ann Summerfield was the section My surface drainage operations manager complete my associate’s degree, but once I manager of stormwater management who position focuses on vegetation management did I realized that it wasn’t difficult, I just hired me into this position. I’m not sure of the city’s stormwater facilities, the right- needed to focus! I would like to encourage what qualities Mary Ann saw in me that of-ways and landscaped areas, green waste women who have the opportunity to attend my two other competitors for the position site operation, cemetery maintenance, and college just after high school to do so. didn’t possess, but I’ll always be grateful to picking up illegal dumping. I’ve had an Complete the degree requirements—even Mary Ann for giving me the opportunity opportunity to work with many dedicated if you aren’t sure what career path you she did. I worked in this administrative city employees, contractors, and citizens to want to take. Once you figure out “what A Lifelong Journey supervisor position for 8 years. During make Tulsa a more beautiful city. you want to be when you grow up,” there’s those years, we tackled many projects and always graduate school! I’d always heard that if you can get a moved from main-framed customer service Over these past seventeen years, Mary Ann government job, you’d be guaranteed a tracking to PC-based work management has been highly involved in the American I just turned fifty a couple of weeks ago, secure future. Having spent my first few applications. Public Works Association. I first became and I anticipate that I’ll be retiring from the years out of high school, moving from aware of her involvement in the Oklahoma City of Tulsa in the next couple of years. I minimum wage job to job, security sounded Over the years, I had dabbled in classes Chapter when she served as chapter hope to go into private consulting, working appealing. at the junior college working toward my president and worked to establish the two only when I choose to work. Government associate’s degree, and finally completing branches for Northeast Oklahoma and work is wonderful indeed! My government experience started in the it in 1995. In 1998, a manager’s position Central Oklahoma. She encouraged me to customer service area of the City of Tulsa’s came open in our area, and Mary Ann join the organization and become involved water department in 1979. This was an encouraged me to apply for it. Again, as well. I served as branch board member, entry-level job, so I was excited to have an I don’t know what qualities I possessed secretary, vice-chair, and chairperson. I opportunity to advance to a higher-paying over the other candidates, but Mary Ann also served as chapter vice-president and

29 Brenda G. Herrman Director of Public Works • Hays, Kansas

A year later, I went through a divorce I was hired as the assistant director and leadership. Amazing, I was able to take and began wondering if I could support started work on April 1, 1996. When I what I learned in the classroom and apply myself on the salary I was making. I had started work, I was excited but very scared. it directly to my workforce. What a novel a wonderful mentor, George Bonnett, who Working with George, I knew what the idea!!! was the director of public works. George end result looked like, but I didn’t get to believed in me when no one else did, participate in the planning stages early on. George played a tremendous role in the including myself. George encouraged me I voiced my fears to George, and he told development of my career path. I will be to go to college so I could get “that piece of me, “Don’t worry, you know more than forever grateful. He and his wife Judy are paper” that unlocks doors that otherwise you think you know.” I trusted that he dear friends today. cannot be entered into. So, at age 42, I knew what he was talking about. He hadn’t stepped into a college classroom for the first steered me wrong before. In 2001, I married the most incredible time. For several years, I worked full time man—truly a gift from God. Les encourages and attended classes at night. I was able to finish my college requirements me on a regular basis, and he challenges me and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in to let the sky be the limit. I’m very blessed In early 1996 lacking only 20 college credits public administration in May of 1997. My to have him as my soul mate and partner in to graduate with a bachelor’s degree, I saw daughters insisted that I “walk” across the life. Late Bloomer… an ad in the APWA Reporter for an assistant stage to receive my diploma. At first I was director of public works in Hays, Kansas. I resistant but finally gave in. It was the In 2002, the city manager hand-picked In late 1990, I started work in the public kept that magazine on my desk for several biggest thrill of my life to finally get “that me, and I was promoted to director of works office for the City of Wichita Falls, days before giving it to George. When I piece of paper.” community development. That department Texas. I was hired as an administrative did, I asked him to read the ad and let me handled planning, zoning, residential secretary for the director of public works. know what he thought. I almost ran out of George once again got into my ear. He and commercial inspections and the ever- I soon learned that the Texas Chapter the room in fear that he would laugh. Only encouraged me to work on my master’s dreaded “code enforcement.” That was of APWA would be hosting their annual a moment later, he appeared at my desk and degree at Fort Hays State University in Hays. an extremely rough and challenging year. conference in June of 1991 in Wichita with the most sincere voice I heard him say, I sat out one semester, and then enrolled I had no foundation to stand on. I read Falls. My first assignment was to put the “Go for it!” So, I did. to start on my advanced degree. Three ordinances and code books continuously. conference together and make it work, years later in 2000, I turned 50 and once It was one of those jobs where I learned which I did. I actually learned more about again “walked” to receive “another piece of valuable lessons, but those lessons were APWA than what public works actually does paper.” I had earned a master’s of liberal not the ones I would have chosen to learn! for the first six months I worked there. studies with emphasis in organizational However, it set the stage for bigger and

30 Brenda G. Herrman better things. As I look back, I’m grateful Naturally, there have been some men who APWA has allowed me to serve at the state In closing, I want to say to you—believe in for those lessons. played negative roles in my life, but there level as well as the national level. The yourself. Become a mentor to someone you are a select few who worked with me and network I’ve developed is incredible. Public know who has potential. Encourage those In 2003, I was promoted to be the director set me on the right path. God has played a works people are just good folks! Being a around you on a regular basis. You never of public works in Hays. In seven (7) short huge role in getting me where I am today. I woman has its advantages—you just have to know when YOU will be the person who years, I went from being a secretary for have never known God to be portrayed as take advantage of opportunity to grow and made a difference in someone’s life and/or the director of public works to BEING a anything other than male. When I moved to give back. career path. director of public works and having three to Hays in 1996, I didn’t know anybody. I (3) secretaries working with me in my learned very quickly that God is ALWAYS I’ve learned over time not only to identify There’s never been a better time to be a department. I had to bring community there even when friends and family are not. my strengths, but more importantly to woman. There are approximately 5,800 development with me and add it as a My spirituality grew significantly during identify my weaknesses. I surround myself directors of public works who are members division under the public works department my early days in Kansas. God remains a with people who are very strong in the areas of APWA. Of that 5,800, only 373 are umbrella. prominent factor in my everyday life today. where I am weak. I have the ability to hire women! There’s room at the top and at all very talented people and together we move levels. Won’t you join us? You can do it! Today, I am one of two female directors My dad was another mentor for me. I mountains. of public works in Kansas. I am not an don’t ever remember him telling me that engineer, I am an administrator. That I couldn’t do something because I was a I love knowing that I’m making a difference makes me a bit of a novelty and a minority girl. In fact, he told me frequently, “You’re in Hays now and for the long term. being in the same class with my peers who tough, you can handle it.” I hated hearing Decisions I make today will affect this are respected female licensed professional that as a kid, but learned to appreciate what community for the next 50 years. Is that engineers. he taught me later in my life. scary? You bet, but I accept the challenge knowing that I have the capability to make I have 53 employees in my department, 50 My current city manager is another male the right decisions. of which are men. I live in a man’s world who is not intimidated because I’m a every day. I deal with male staff, male woman. He assigns a great deal of work my KDOT personnel, male consultants, and way because he knows that I’ll deliver. I male contractors. I attend meetings where am known for making things happen and there may be 30-to-50 men and me. But getting things done! So much of how a it works, and over time I have earned their community develops is determined by a respect. strong public works department. I work hand-in-hand with the city manager. 31 Susan Howard Street Maintenance Supervisor • City of Phoenix, Arizona

Living Beyond My Parents’ I became acquainted with a fellow worker put it, “I don’t even let my wife talk to many young men and women who enter Expectations who encouraged me to do my best. I me like that.” But I feel that I brought a the job market. The work is constantly found that in a male dominated world, different dimension and perspective to changing, providing new responsibilities for “When you grow up I want you to be a my co-workers respected me more when I their work. I strived to make sure that they the workers. secretary and marry the boss’ son.” That showed them that I could pull my weight. had the necessary training and equipment was the sum total of my parent’s ambition Fortunately, growing up on a farm had left to do the job. I enlisted their help on I would hope that the future in public as I was entering high school back in me with a very healthy respect for work, so projects and showed them that I respected works would include more opportunities for Michigan in the early 1970s. Being the I had no problem with that. their knowledge and experience. I learned young women to see that they do not have only daughter and an excellent student, I firsthand how important it is to have the to limit their dreams to traditional roles. followed their blueprint to my future. I was inspired by another woman coworker trust and respect of the people that you There is so much opportunity to grow simply through the fact that I am very lead. within the industry. Stability and a secure When I graduated from high school, it was competitive. When she started receiving future are almost a guarantee within the difficult getting a job as a secretary, because training as a foreman, I thought that I I took advantage of many training municipal public works field, as long as you I didn’t have the experience and the job would give it a try. On my first promotional opportunities and classes to further my are willing to work hard and learn. market was very tight. I ended up working test, I outscored most of the men. knowledge. I went back to school at night in a restaurant as a cook, then in the to get my associates degree. I continued on In the long run, I did more than meet my manufacturing industry in various positions I worked in different service areas, learning to earn my bachelor’s degree. parents’ expectations. I found out that I that paid just above minimum wage. I everything I could about the field of street didn’t have to marry the boss’ son .. I could moved to Arizona in 1979 and found better maintenance. When seasoned coworkers The extra work paid off, because on my be the boss! paying jobs, but no stability. gave me information and the history of the next step up the ladder five years later, I work that I was performing, I was like an became the first woman street maintenance During a period of layoff, I applied for the absorbing sponge. foreman III. When I promoted again less position of street maintenance worker I. I than four years later, I became the first had no idea what the job was, but it did As a result of my interest in the work, I was woman street maintenance supervisor in pay more than I was making at the time. I one of the first two women promoted to the City of Phoenix. was hired by the City of Phoenix in October foreman within the history of the street 1984. At that time I was one of a very few maintenance division. One of my biggest I am now in a position where I am women working in the field in this entry challenges in this particular assignment was responsible for the hiring and promotion level position. getting the older male workers to accept of all field positions within street my authority. As one older male worker maintenance. I am able to help inspire

32 Debra Jacobs Project Engineer • City of Palo Alto, California

rare occasions when the general population myriad of perspectives come with that Each of the professional societies to thinks about public works, overwhelming diversity. These factors will require that which I belong has been increasing its appreciation is the opposite of what comes future workers in the public sector are emphasis on understanding what women to mind. So if a woman wanted to have chosen so that those perspectives can can contribute to their constituencies. I an unconventional career, why choose one be represented. Since women comprise have come to realize that the women that isn’t appreciated? approximately half the population, that that I know in public works are among There are many good reasons why women demographic warrants consideration. the most competent people with whom I should stop being considered a novelty in interact. These amazing women also have public works. The third reason has to do with trust achieved more work-life balance than other issues. One of the chronic problems that professionals in my acquaintance. The The first reason is that women tend to has plagued the public sector and caused world is a better place as a result of these be better at building consensus. This significant erosion in the perceived value women, how well they do their jobs, and characteristic will become more important of public service has been the prevalence how well they treat others. in public works as the need for consensus of the “good old boys” network and the grows. Bond measures, tax increases, resulting ethically questionable behavior. Women in public works are part of a very referenda, and other means to fund projects This form of cronyism devalues diversity good idea that ought to be encouraged and Recognizing What’s in the Best Interest increasingly need a super majority to pass. by promoting those who are perceived to supported. Women in public works should of Everyone Community activism is also expected to be just like those in power. It also seems to no longer be considered a novelty, but what grow, prompting the need for consensus discourage consensus building since that is in the best interest of all. At first glance, the concept of women in to get any project approval, regardless of process runs counter to the favor swapping public works would likely strike some as funding. that is highly characteristic of the standard a novel idea. Designing and fixing roads, operating procedure of those invested in pipes, streets, bridges, and buildings aren’t The second reason is diversity. There are perpetuating this system. Some women what most expect from those who are fewer Generation X members to fill the have chosen to play along to get along, socialized to care for and nurture others. positions of Baby Boomers as they retire. as is expected of compliant subordinates. Arbitrarily limiting the candidate pool Most women don’t play along because they When people think of the kind of work would only guarantee unfilled positions find this behavior counterproductive and that women do, they generally think of and work left undone. Society is becoming contrary to the public good. work that is undervalued. On those truly more demographically diverse, and a

33 Donna M. Jessup Operations Supervisor • City of Lancaster, Pennsylvania

of interest in the field work in Lancaster In September of 2006 I was the recipient of City. I begged my boss at the time to allow the Woman in Public Works Award for the me to supervise a sewer line installation State of Pennsylvania and am currently in in the field, which led to supervising the the running for a national distinguished reconstruction of one of our major city service award that will be given out at the streets. After that it was in my blood. I national convention this September of this couldn’t get enough of trucks, backhoes year. and heavy equipment. At that time my boss challenged me to participate in a Local At this time I am currently on the board Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) to of directors for the Lancaster County obtain my Road Scholar Certification in Branch of the APWA, and I also serve on Maintenance. At that time I was officially the advisory board of LTAP for the State of given a supervisory position over our street Pennsylvania. cleaning division. I then became more involved in pubic works transforming Public works is my life. It’s my opportunity a public works cooperative in Lancaster to meet interesting people, give something Public Works Is My Life County into the Lancaster County back to the community and help solve the Branch of APWA. As the years went on, problems of our wonderful city. God has My name is Donna (Shaubach) Jessup, I am I obtained my Road Scholar Certification blessed me in so many ways but one of the the operations supervisor for streets, motor in Management and was promoted to the biggest blessings was to find a career that vehicles and traffic bureaus for the City of streets supervisor. In 2004 upon my boss’s I love and a feeling of satisfaction when Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I have been with retirement, I was then given the title of I see how important public works is to a the department since September 21, 2001. operations supervisor in charge of not only community. And I thank God every day to the street department but motor vehicles be a part of it. I started my career in pubic works as a clerk as well. In January of 2007 I was placed in typist. I was then upgraded to a secretary, charge of the traffic bureau. and that’s when my career in public works skyrocketed. In 1995, when my two children were old enough to start taking care of themselves, I started to show a lot

34 Mary Ellen Lea Public Works Operations Manager • City of Columbia, Missouri

mother was gifted at treating all people with After a few years at the surveying firm, I information and ideas with people in this respect and courtesy. decided to go back to school and further my professional field. So, onto my career development and the education. I obtained my master’s degree path to becoming the operations manager in 1991. My thesis work involved a bio- My employment with Cape Girardeau for the public works department, City of geographic inventory and water quality ended after two years due to relocation Columbia, Missouri. analysis of the Upper Meramec River Basin. to Columbia, Missouri. In Columbia, I I spent one summer tromping around the obtained employment as the solid waste My education background prepared me for area where I’d grown up collecting water collection superintendent for the public the public works field. I have a bachelor samples and researching the biodiversity. works department. My membership in of science degree in physical geography, It was the best summer of my life. After APWA continued and my involvement and a master of science in environmental completion of my thesis and graduation I grew. I became the first female president planning. At the time, I didn’t know I relocated to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. of the Missouri Chapter of APWA in 2001. would land in the public works profession, Prior to becoming president, I served on but my public service background and In Cape Girardeau I obtained employment committees, and the offices of the chapter. education both contributed to my success. as the environmental services coordinator During those years, my professionalism in the public works department. My career continued to develop due to my interaction Public Service is a Specialty In 1986, having graduated with my B.S. in public works began and my dedication in APWA. I also served on the national degree, I gained employment with the to public service grew stronger. I reported solid waste technical committee and as the My career in public works started in 1986 engineering & surveying firm in Springfield, to Public Works Director Doug Leslie and alternate delegate for the Missouri Chapter. when I obtained a drafting position with an Missouri. My knowledge of surveying was managed the sewer, stormwater and solid During these years, the City of Columbia engineering & surveying firm in Springfield, zero at the time, but my education had waste divisions. Mr. Leslie is now the city began the APWA accreditation process. Missouri. However, my dedication to introduced me to topography mapping and manager in Cape Girardeau. I owe much public service began in Steelville, Missouri. those specialized fields, so picking up the of my leadership and management skills The City of Columbia attained APWA I worked in the associate circuit court skills for drafting, understanding plans and to Doug Leslie; he provided excellent accreditation in February 2001. Previous office in my hometown of Steelville. It surveys was relatively easy. During this guidance in my beginning efforts in public Public Works Director Lowell B. Patterson so happened that my mother was the time, my “career goals” weren’t even on my works. I became an American Public Works was a driving force behind the accreditation associate circuit clerk, which helped me to mind. My steady paycheck was helping pay Association (APWA) member while in Cape process. I served as one of the coordinator’s get that first part-time job. My loyalty as my school loan as well as my extracurricular Girardeau. My first APWA conference of the self-assessment and accreditation a public service employee is totally due to activities of hiking, bird-watching, rock attendance was at the Missouri Chapter process for our public works department. the influence of my mother in the court. climbing, camping and other outdoor Fall Conference at Lake of the Ozarks. I The process forced our department to Public service is a specialty; not all people activities. was welcomed into the chapter and started organize its many guidance documents lean toward this type of employment. My to understand the importance of sharing and policies. It required each operation 35 Mary Ellen Lea

to evaluate the service it provides to the We are beginning major maintenance The street division maintains approximately Our re-accreditation in March 2004 was not public and maintain goals to provide the upgrades and a WWTP expansion process 450 miles of streets. We also have a as monumental a task, but still required best service possible. Serving as one of the this year. This division is well known for its stormwater maintenance section and an overall evaluation of the operations coordinator’s of this project had a direct skilled workforce and is recognized as one traffic section in the division. The division in public works. Our new public works influence on my latest professional career of the top-rate operations in the state. employs 40 people and includes 139 pieces director, John Glascock, has given direction move. of equipment including dump trucks, to begin the process again to meet the The solid waste utility consists of a backhoes, front end loaders, specialty traffic requirements for re-accreditation due I was promoted to the operations manager collection system and landfill/material equipment, smaller trucks, bobcats, snow March, 2008. We continue to improve position for public works in October 2006. recovery operations. It employs 73 people, plows, cinder spreaders and various other our record management to make the A thirty-year veteran of that position, provides service to all Columbia residential equipment. The operations also include accreditation information more available Dennie L. Pendergrass, retired, which customers, and 95% of the commercial snow removal, chip and seal programs, to all public works employees. My opened the door for opportunity. In my customers. The operation includes trash, milling and overlay, and diamond grinding. involvement in APWA has given me current position, I manage the fleet, sewer, residential and commercial recycling, yard opportunities to share information with solid waste and street operations of public waste, construction roll off, industrial Through the last 12 years, my interactions other professionals in this field. Working works. The fleet operation employs 25 compactor, and commercial solid waste in the Missouri Chapter of APWA have together on common goals and ways to personnel and maintains approximately services. The operation runs 18 hours per given me the opportunity to be “mentored” better serve the public is one of the most 650 pieces of equipment and vehicles. They day and deploys 25 large vehicles each day. by some of the best. I would be remiss if I valuable aspects of being an APWA member. average over 7,500 job orders annually and The landfill receives approximately 800 tons didn’t mention the mentors that helped me perform mechanical tasks from routine oil of refuse per day. We are in the process of with my career, so in no particular order: changes to major body repair and engine changing the landfill to a bioreactor type Vince Tallo, Vijay Bhasin, Harold Bade, overhaul. landfill. Another big project is working Bill Croker, Dale Houdeshell, David Miller, with our water & light department to Ken Stumpf, Dave Hamilton, John Pollard, The sewer utility includes a wastewater install a gas to energy generation plant. Bryan Pearl and anyone I may have missed. treatment plant operation, a wetlands The material recovery center processes treatment system, a sludge management approximately 700 tons per month. program and the sewer pipe Maintenance operations. The utility is supported through user fees, it employs 46 people. The system consists of approximately 750 miles of sewer lines and numerous pump stations.

36 Karen F. Leback Assistant Director • Utility Customer Service • Department of Public Works and Engineering • City of Houston, Texas

I was an exception hired to fit a void It has been difficult being a non- After what appeared to be a progressive the then-director felt existed in the engineering professional in an engineering management of the department when I department. At the time, the engineering department. Even though I have more first started, the department digressed to a and construction function had been divided education, a more advanced degree than a “good old boy” environment. Men without from the remainder of public works into large majority of the employees, I am not degrees were promoted into positions that a separate capital projects department. always treated as an equal. But then many previously required them, while women Due to the large number of engineering professionals in administrative positions— were overlooked. Luckily, there were a and construction projects handled by the whether financial, purchasing, personnel or number of “non-good old boys” in the department and the need to revise the administrative—support face this inequality. department who would serve as mentors standard contracts in use at the time, the The perception that administrative or who worked to promote women into director requested an attorney position be personnel do not add value has existed in executive and management positions. added to the roster. The administration did the department for many years. Part of This was important as no “good old girl” not allow attorneys in departments other the problem has been the ineffective use of network existed–just the opposite–women than Legal. such personnel and the “us against them” who made it into management were mentality of prior leadership. As such, competitive to the point of trying to thwart This director posted an executive level administrative personnel are rarely included the careers of other women. My Goal: Do the Right Thing Right- assistant position to which I applied. I was as part of a project team, but viewed as the The First Time at a point in my life that I wanted to start enemy whose sole purpose is to slow down In order to be promoted into executive level a family through adoption and was seeking the process. This attitude appears to be positions, women have had to play down When I began my career in the department a secure position with benefits, a “9-5” job. changing, but we have a long way to go to their female management qualities. PWE of public works and engineering (PWE) In my prior life, I had co-founded a non- create truly effective teams. is no different from most organizations in Houston, Texas, over 15 years ago, profit organization that provided free legal in which men are used to running the a majority of women had joined the and accounting services to the artists and show and, for the most part, don’t reward department in one of three ways: directly arts organizations in Texas. In addition to “female” style management because they out of high school into field or clerical practicing law, I had also been a partner in see it as weak. To be successful, women positions, from college into administrative a company that designed, leased and sold in PWE have had to demonstrate higher positions, or a few as professional engineers. reusable art packing cases to museums in levels of traditional “hard” or “male” skills the United States and England. By joining without appearing to be too strident or PWE, I was making a dramatic career harsh. It has created a “no win” situation change. for many female employees and, thus, they

37 Karen F. Leback

have not been successful in their quest for If more leaders in PWE would exhibit these There have been many challenges in my The positives of working in public works promotion into executive level positions. qualities, there would be a greater chance almost 16-year career in public works such have far outweighed the negatives. It Most women being offered such positions that the culture of the organization will as: has provided a career with a purpose, the today are from outside the organization. become truly service-oriented. If that opportunity to serve the public. It has Under current management, PWE has culture does not exist, then the inherent • Dealing with the good old boy network never been a “9-5” job. My goal in serving almost achieved the same proportion of mission of public works will not be • Coordinating services within a siloed the citizens of Houston has always been women in executive level positions as the achieved. department with divisions not working to do the right thing right the first time. ratio of women to men in the department. The structure of many public works together effectively This cannot be accomplished without the organizations by their nature is siloed, • Working with long-term employees who participation of a large number of dedicated One could argue that the more female style divided by function. Houston PWE is are resistant to change employees. I am privileged to have such a of management–which has many of the no different; it is very much a vertical • Adjusting to the bureaucratic pace while team working with me in Utility Customer qualities of a servant leader—works better organization separated into discrete not succumbing to it and encouraging Service. in the public sector where the focus is on divisions that do not in most situations employees not to be entrapped by its serving the citizens. Women are usually collaborate effectively or efficiently when allure. more nurturing and possess the following providing services. In a more collaborative, qualities identified in the servant leader or servant leader environment, the effect Opportunities have included: style of management: of a vertical structure can be minimized, which should improve the quality of the • Being allowed to develop new processes, • Listening skills services provided as well as the efficiency of procedures and training programs and • Empathy the organization. to take the risks necessary to make • Awareness changes. • Persuasion Since most of the women in PWE have had • Utilizing training programs to bridge the • Foresight to sublimate their “female” management inter and intra-departmental gap • Stewardship skills to get ahead in the department, they • Working with many highly qualified • Commitment to growth of employees may need to become reacquainted with and dedicated co-workers • Builders of sense of community within that aspect of their management style. In • Leading Utility Customer Service, the an organization general, women encourage openness and billing and customer service function • Collaboration are more accessible, they respond more of one of the country’s largest water quickly to calls for assistance and are able utilities that brings in over $600,000,000 to identify problems more rapidly and annually and services 4.5 million accurately. people. 38 Ruby M. Lofton Stock Clerk • Anderson Regional Airport • Maintenance Department • Townville, South Carolina

My life in the South as a sharecropper’s keep up. My parents saw the potential in have not stopped opening. We are parents daughter prepared me for many me and allowed me to continue my high of two sons, grandparents, and even great- opportunities that would come later in my school education in New York City. I lived grandparents. life. Little did I know at the time that I was with my mother’s brother and his wife, L C developing skills as I worked eagerly and and Bertha Corner, in a middleclass home. While fulfilling my duties as a wife and diligently to help the family achieve its I was excited because I was able to go to mother, I remained gainfully employed. I goals, whatever the goals were at that time. school every day and to take advantage of began working for the United States Postal M parents depended on me to be the leader the many opportunities that came my way. Service in 1969 as a clerk in New York City. at a very early stage of my life. I would I made this career change to come back start my day on time, pick the most pounds Many doors opened for me. During my home. The postal service paid the same of cotton, and fulfill my responsibilities high school years, I worked as a sales clerk salary nationwide, and the years of service even when I didn’t feel good in body and at one of the top exchanges in Brooklyn, could transfer. In 1974, I transferred to mind. My dad would weigh the cotton at New York. I was recognized as one of the South Carolina. During my career, I’ve the end of the day. It was my job to add all top sales persons. I completed high school held two supervisor and five postmaster the figures and give them a total. At noon at the age of 16 and received an associate positions. I retired in 2002. my dad had our lunch ready. My dad and I degree from Bronx Community College The Sky is the Limit, Enjoy the Journey were gofers. He had me take the orders for at the age of 18. I have held numerous After a year of retirement, I took a part- lunch and he filled them. I knew the price positions in the work force. I worked for time position with the Anderson Regional I was born in Townville, South Carolina, of each item so that he could collect his New York Telephone Company as a long Airport Maintenance Department as a on July 27, 1947, the fifth child of the six money. I was his little bookkeeper at the distance operator and was later promoted stock clerk. My duties were to organize children of J P and Claudine Morris. My age of nine years old. to assistant manager over finances and the inventory department so that all parts father cared for his family as a sharecropper. switches operations; Chase Manhattan Bank were accounted for. There were other duties We lived in the farm owner’s house. As There were some challenges to formal Wall Street as a real estate and mortgage attached to this job as well. This operation a sharecropper, after all expenses were education as I grew up. The sharecrop loan officer handling the Rockefeller was in the red because there were no checks deducted, if anything was left it was owners and the school districts made an accounts, and working with top brokerage and balances. Within a year or so, we were considered profit. I can’t remember my agreement that the sharecroppers’ children firms on Wall Street. It was during my in the break-even status and looking to father receiving any profit. If anything, he would attend school only if it rained during employment at Chase that another door make a profit in the coming years. still owed. The system was set up that way. cropping time, but would not be left behind opened for me—the door of matrimony. I We were rich in heart and spirit, but poor in if they were capable of keeping up the rest met the man to whom I have been married I encourage the females who want to climb finances. of the year. I studied at night by the fire to about 40 years, Douglas Lofton, Sr. Doors the corporate ladder to know where they

39 Ruby M. Lofton

want to go, direct their studies toward their field of interest, and develop that drive that is within them. At the same time, be ethical at all times; know the rules and regulations of the company for which you are working or intend to work; be responsible and accountable for their actions and decision making, and remember that in the job market it’s about service, timeliness, efficiency, and making money for the company.

Finally, I say that whether you are a daughter or son of a sharecropper, servant, blue-collar worker, white-collar worker, or unemployed welfare recipient, never permit anyone to steal your joy, talk down to you, or determine how high you should aim or reach. The sky is the limit, reach for it, work toward it, and enjoy the journey. Rely on your directions from a higher calling, your Maker, God. You are only here for a minute, 60 seconds; it is up to you to use it.

40 Dana Mackey, P.E. Senior Professional Engineer • Hillsborough County • Tampa, Florida

caring public servant. As if that were not supervisors come by to visit with her when Manual. I asked Dana to become part of the enough, Dana is always willing to volunteer they have to come to County Center for construction management self assessment her time when someone needs her. any reason. team. Dana had just been assigned as Dana graduated from the University of construction team leader with the objective South Florida with a bachelor of science in In 1996 Dana came to Hillsborough County of managing the construction of over 100 civil engineering in 1987. After graduation, government. She was the first female storm water infrastructure projects, and I she was selected by the Florida Department African American professional engineer asked her to “volunteer” in the review of of Transportation (FDOT) to participate hired by the County. Dana began her career the critical path of construction projects. in their four-year professional engineer’s as county traffic engineer and was promoted She immediately became immersed, trainee program. She was the first African to senior professional engineer in 1999. charted the critical path, developed process American female professional engineer During her career she and her teams have improvements, drafted descriptions and trainee to work in both the FDOT’s District completed over 150 capital improvement identified forms and documents to proffer One and Seven Offices. At FDOT Dana projects, ranging in cost from $20,000 for evaluation. worked in design, maintenance, survey, to $6 million. She stresses teamwork and drainage, planning, construction, materials common goals. The following year I formulated a testing, structures, right-of-way, PD&E and professional development program relying By Mariana Llanso bridge inspection with a specialization I got to know her well when in 2001 she heavily on in-house resources for the General Manager III, Hillsborough County in traffic operations. She received her came to stormwater section to assist in the technical instruction. I asked Dana to professional engineer’s license in 1992. completion of a $96 million accelerated prepare and teach a series of four-hour Let Me Introduce You to a She was one of the first FDOT-sponsored stormwater program. She impressed seminars in design and construction Friend of Mine employees in the District Seven office to me with her organization and time management. She spent many long hours complete all eight levels of the certified management skills and with her technical after everyone had gone home preparing When I was asked to write about a public manager’s curriculum through knowledge. But there was something more, the course content. I found out only successful female in public works, I Florida State University. She also received and the best way I can convey it to my because one night I was working late and immediately thought of my friend Dana awards and commendations from the readers is to give three specific instances saw that she was preparing the teaching D. Mackey, P.E. To me, Dana personifies department for her participation on various where she and I have worked together to materials. I knew then that her construction complete success. She is a devoted wife and value engineering teams and other special achieve outstanding success for our public project management responsibilities took mother of three, a licensed professional technical assignments. I can tell she forged works department. One was in 2002 when I every moment of her day and that when I engineer with vast technical expertise, some very close and lasting bonds because was forming the self assessment teams using asked her to participate in a special program a songwriter, a recording artist, an to this day, her FDOT colleagues and the APWA Public Works Management Practices I was cutting into her personal time. She accomplished concert musician, and a

41 Dana Mackey, P.E.

never says no and many times has gone in 2001 when Governor Jeb Bush hosted a beyond the call with good humor. For memorial service for the victims of 9/11 and the Hillsborough County Annual Teach- asked Dana to perform an organ solo. She In, Dana becomes Officer Snook, the is happiest when given the opportunity to environmental and water quality awareness express herself through lyrics and music. mascot—a head-to-toe fish costume that is But be sure that her top priority is her so hot it has a battery-operated fan inside. family. Any time the subject is professional One year, we realized too late that the fan or personal accomplishments, she is quick was not working, and we could not stop to assert that strong family values and laughing because instead of griping, she support are a crucial factor to a successful was making jokes about the situation. Since life. She and her husband Marvin (whom she cannot talk inside the costume, I had some of you may have met when he has to continuously have her signal that she accompanied Dana to the APWA National was not passing out in there. In 2006 less Congress) love spending time with their than one week before the accreditation children at baseball, basketball and football evaluators arrived at our front door, the practices and games. Their three children Chapter 13 point of contact lead had to are also avid musicians, which can make travel to Taiwan on a family emergency. the household “sound” interesting at times. I asked Dana to step in, and without The family plays together at school and hesitation she single-handedly took care of community recitals. the last minute preparations, met with the evaluator, and achieved full compliance in Have I succeeded in accurately portraying all practices examined. Dana Denise Mackey? The answer is yes if you now have a standing admiration for Dana is an accomplished musician, this lady—as I have had since the day I met songwriter and vocalist. She plays the her. organ, keyboards, piano, flute and drums. She has astonished audiences nationally and internationally with her beautiful voice and music. We were so proud of her

42 Pamela J. Maloney, P.E. Manager, Water Resources Planning • Utilities Department; Engineering Division • City of Bellevue WA, Utilities/Engineering

engineering degree and all this great career Once I became a licensed professional concept of working for the public good has potential worth it? I decided it would make engineer, a decision to relocate from our stayed with me. me “tough,” and I stuck it out. small community to the Seattle Metro area Fortunately, a lot has changed in the 25 with my husband provided the catalyst and I was honored one day to get a call from the years since I entered the public works opportunity for a career change—back to King County Executive’s office requesting profession as a new civil engineering the public sector. my participation on the water review graduate. Sexual harassment is recognized board, which hears appeals for waivers for what it is and generally is not tolerated. I started work for the City of Bellevue, from construction standards by owners Women have proven beyond a doubt they Washington, 20 years ago, reviewing plans of small public water systems (where a belong in this career—in the field, in design for storm drainage systems to protect our hardship exists and public health won’t be firms, and in the public works director’s natural streams. I learned as much about jeopardized.) I was pleased to accept, but office. But, occasionally, someone says drainage and runoff control systems from was disturbed by the parting words, “The something that takes me right back there. a certain “grouchy old inspector” as I ever Council appreciates this opportunity to add did in college, and he respected an engineer women and minorities to our boards.” All As a student I worked as a public works who would listen to him and learn from his of a sudden the honor seemed somehow intern for Tacoma, Washington. I liked field-smarts. My managers figured out that I “tainted.” Did they call me because I Accomplishments Speak it immediately—the people, the projects, was smart, enthusiastic and dedicated. They was a professional engineer with 15 years Louder than Words the concept of public service. When I appreciated an engineer who could write of progressively responsible experience accepted my first engineering job with a and had the patience for multi-year projects in water system management and was I can still hear it, “Hey Honey, need a hand private consulting company, I gravitated like comprehensive plans. The public active in my professional and regional with that?” followed by low wolf whistle toward their municipal clients. I enjoyed sector provided the reliability and benefits communities? Or was it just because they and a snicker from the nearby asphalt roller, helping small towns understand why their I needed when my children were young; needed a female on the board to meet some as I hauled the heavy nuclear densometer water systems wouldn’t operate the way the City was flexible with my hours because perceived quota? from my staff pickup. It’s been a few years they wanted, or assisting them to find grant they recognized a good “investment” when since annoying comments like those had or loan resources for a desperately-needed they saw it. I found more women in the Ten years later, I’m still serving on that to be endured frequently. At the time I but unaffordable wastewater treatment engineering divisions of transportation and board, and I know I’ve brought technical was a young female engineer inspecting plant upgrade. Somehow that was much utilities departments than I had known expertise and logical, defensible decisions a road construction project. Those sorts more rewarding to me than designing road in private consulting, at all ranks. The that helped many citizens find resolution of comments made me wonder whether and utility infrastructure systems for land assignments and responsibilities have to technical issues without compromising I belonged there. Were my hard-won developers to help them make money. grown with me over the years, but the core public health. I know I’m not on the board

43 Pamela J. Maloney, P.E.

now because I’m female, but because I do a good job. Still, I remain sensitive to inequities both real and perceived. Young females entering the profession today may have significantly better legal protections from discrimination, but we all know it still occurs. We owe it to our female colleagues—and our male co-workers too— to recognize it, eliminate it, and educate those involved. Start by respecting ALL colleagues. They will prove their worth or not by their actions and accomplishments, which is a much more reliable way to develop assumptions about capabilities.

Now 20 years after accepting that first City job, I’ve had no regrets. I’ve also never been bored, under-worked, or un- challenged! I still look forward to the day when working in a “gender blind” office doesn’t mean you have to act like “one of the guys.” And I look for opportunities to encourage young women to consider careers in engineering, and point out the need for them in the public works arena.

44 Valerie McCaw, P.E. President •VSM Engineering, LLC •Kansas City, Missouri

Being a Woman in Public Works of my inspectors, the staff, and the city for the first three years of his life. I couldn’t Today, in business, if I seem like a more administration and council members. It stay home for financial reasons; I was the visible, caring, sympathetic, willing-to-listen When I was 22 I started work at the City of didn’t come immediately; it came in little main breadwinner in the family. Becoming person—then Hallelujah!!! Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, as an assistant bits and pieces. When I had their respect, a working mother has definitely made me a city engineer. BA was growing very fast the challenges became easy to overcome more tolerant person of the little hiccups of I think young women today are more and the engineering dept did a lot of because the city staff, city council and life that can affect the work environment. confident with their “girl power” than I was our own design as well as construction contractor’s superintendents would back When I became a supervisor, my personal starting in 1982. I like to think part of it is management and plan review. I had some me up. Eventually when I became a experience helped me to learn to because people like me, and women who challenges too being a woman. Once a consultant, the City became one of my accommodate my staff when it was needed. came before me, have had a part in that county commissioner patted me on the clients. evolution. After 24 years in this business, I head and told me I was cute (I was told that I like to think being a woman in public don’t think much about being a “woman in I was lucky that was all he patted.) Another Another challenge for me was being works is an advantage. At first when I public works” I am just “in public works.” time, I had a citizen tell me to get off the pregnant and a new mother in my career. started 24 years ago, it was an advantage If somebody has a problem with me because phone so she could talk to a “real engineer.” I went on a dam inspection when I was because I was the most visible person in I am a woman–it’s their problem; not mine. Contractors would laugh at a freckle-faced 6 months pregnant. In retrospect, that every meeting, conference or job site. I Today, it’s a non-issue to me. 22-year-old telling them what to do. Some was a stupid decision on my part. I felt became known as “that feisty woman older engineers would just ignore my plan like I had to “keep up” and I sacrificed my engineer over in BA.” People remembered review comments because “I didn’t really health. Being pregnant was a challenge at me and I could use that positively. Later know anything.” the large consulting organization I worked it became an advantage when I started at; all the previous pregnant woman had working closely with citizens because it was I got some valuable advice from my quit. The vice-president was shocked when assumed that a woman was more caring, grandfather, a factory worker at John I told him I wanted to keep working after sympathetic and willing to listen to them. Deere. He said in his job the best engineers my son’s birth. In retrospect, it would have Now, it’s an advantage because I am a would respect people’s experience and been better for my health and sanity if I certified women-owned business. Yes, there their positions. He suggested that, if I had gone part-time when I went back to have been frustrations in being a woman, asked their opinion and respected their work. I can’t say I was completely effective and I have seen my share of “horror answers, these people would help me. He at work the first year of my son’s life. He stories.” However I try to live by Eleanor said I would have to earn their respect had some chronic health problems. My Roosevelt’s words “No one can make you over time. And he was right. I became company had only three sick days a year so feel inferior without your consent.” a “real engineer” and earned the respect I used all my vacation time for his illnesses

45 Sherri K. McIntyre Transportation Business Group Leader •HDR •Kansas City, Missouri

in biomedical engineering. I enrolled in the pavement in front of them, and to do when the resident engineer reassigned me the engineering college at the University what they tell you and document the crap from working on a newly started, active of Iowa, having no clue what engineering out of it. These were all valuable lessons on construction project to another one that entailed, only that I liked math and science. how to survive out in construction, other was waiting for utilities to be relocated and My college experienced led to a degree in than how to avoid taking the fall when a had no activities. This wasn’t the highlight civil engineering and a love for structural struggling contractor starts to lose money of necessarily being that the right place at engineering. My first job out of college was and is running out of time on a project. the right time, but it did send me to seek working for a state DOT somewhere other Then it would seem that whether you are other opportunities with the DOT. I landed than Iowa, as a construction inspector. I male or female you might not be in the up in the office working as a roadway had no clue what being a construction right place at the right time. In my case, designer, after my preferred choice in traffic inspector entailed since I had interviewed it led to having the resident engineer send engineering. for a bridge design position, but coming me to another project office that he was from Iowa in the midst of the farming crisis overseeing. The world of roadway design leads me in the mid 80s a job in engineering was to my first female supervisor who was an better than moving home after college. Fortunately, I again met some kind engineer, and to working around other gentlemen who were either grandfatherly female engineers. I also began to hear the Being in the Right Place In the mid 1980s women in construction or other first year male engineers to take stories of the women engineers who had at the Right Time in Kansas City, Missouri, was still a rare me under their wing and keep me busy. preceded me. There was my boss who was thing. I was fortunate to find a number Upon reflection I think that being young, one of the first female squad leaders in the This is certainly not an original statement, of gentlemen who were willing to take naïve and still wanting to survive and learn design section in our district office if not but it would be one that I would point to me under their wings and teach me the how to do my first “real” job helped out. the entire state. I learned of the stories of as the story of my career. It really began things that I was clueless about, such as I also learned an important lesson about the women who helped to clear the path by with being a senior in high school getting watching out for dump trucks with their how having a boss who didn’t know how being passed over for promotions, or who ready to head to college. I had aspirations beds raised up because they can tip over to relate and left me off the job list for the were bright, talented and full of potential of becoming a dentist, so the logical college easily, remembering that asphalt is hot, summer construction season can lead to but who left out of frustration for various for me to attend was the University of keeping track of those tickets, and dealing seeking other opportunities. I survived reasons. (I think that you could say they Iowa. I grew up in a moderately large with resident engineers. Those lessons also my second summer in construction by the hit the glass ceiling, and the ceiling was town of roughly 25,000 people in north included don’t ride in a car with a resident grace of my coworkers taking my under very low at the time.) There were also the central Iowa. Thank goodness, aptitude engineer unless you absolutely have to their wings and keeping me busy. I really rumors about some of the female engineers indicators suggested I consider a degree because they are looking at everything but appreciated the support of my coworkers that the only reason that they passed

46 Sherri K. McIntyre

college was through sexual activities with and not to say that some men would quickly learned that engineering salaries appreciative of the support that I have professors. There were the rumors of other agree with you and still didn’t think it was are driven by supply and demand. If it was received during my public works career. I female engineers in the office who used fair that you were preventing them from difficult to hire graduate engineers, you am grateful for the women engineers who their feminine wiles to get the men to do getting promoted type of attitude existed. know that senior skilled senior technicians were two to ten years my senior, and for the their work. In reality, while working in I also remember knowing that colleagues become very valuable, and that starting difficulties they might have encountered an office environment, it became clearer who started at the same time with similar graduate engineers make more than ones that made the way easier for those who to me that male or female engineers prior work experience and grades started who have worked for that state for less followed them. I hope to serve as an ultimately can be judged on their ability to at drastically different pay levels because than two to four years. The differences in inspiration and a mentor for the engineers work in a team environment, and on their one was a single female and the other was starting salaries often existed throughout and other public works professionals who assertiveness to grow in their knowledge a married male. We were well aware of your career until both of you reached the follow me—both male and female. and skills to perform the job. I also think the differences and prejudices that still top of the salary bracket. that the stories of the bright and skillful existed either within the system or within women, whom I never knew, made things individual people. Throughout my career I have always felt easier for me to be judged on my abilities that overall I really was at the right place at and not on gender or prejudices. I also remember the time that I left for a the right time. I changed from a career with second 3-month maternity leave and my the DOT to working for the City of Kansas I remember when half the district squad agency decided to temporarily backfill City, Missouri, and eventually became the leaders were women, and how we would my supervisory position with a younger first female assistant city engineer. Again commiserate that we often pushed our male male engineer who they paid more than as I progressed up the ranks within the city, supervisors to try to understand us, and to me. I really think that it was because of I also heard of the women engineers who believe that it was okay when we were gone just how a government pay-grade system preceded me and had hit the “glass ceiling,” for maternity leave or missed days to care of inequality works rather than he was a and left for various reasons. I listened to for sick children. Fortunately for me, many male and I was a female. I still like to point those stories and knew that others had of the men in leadership were willing to it out as a funny situation, and I have to blazed the trail before me, because I never treat women fairly because they either had admit that in less than a year I received an really felt that a glass ceiling existed in wives that were working or had daughters equity pay raise. It wasn’t uncommon that my career. Yes, there were individuals in the career work force. They were the pay imbalances existed that allowed less with biases and that had a problem with ones that could be appealed to for the same experienced subordinates to make higher female engineers and managers, but they fair treatment they would want for their salaries than their supervisors. When you ultimately weren’t my supervisors or in a wives or daughters. to be treated unfairly, worked in a state agency as an engineer, you position to stop my career. I am especially

47 Amy Murray Administrative Assistant • City of Goodlettsville, Tennessee

Although I do have a formal education, Spring rolls around this year, I am looking my degree is not within the engineering forward to becoming involved in stream field. However, I do have the drive and walks, stream clean ups and other activities determination to succeed and put my best to involve our community to help make our foot forward with the task at hand! Upon waters cleaner. being hired, I was included on various committees and numerous projects, so I Caring for our environment is one of the had a lot of learning and catching up to most important things we can do in life. do! Being an administrative professional, The great thing about that is basically you need not only technical skills, but also anyone can accomplish this wonderful task knowledge of what the area you’re working and do good to help preserve our natural in does, how it operates and functions. resources for future generations to come! I Not one to sit around, I quickly dove into don’t believe you ever stop learning, and I these projects and began making immediate am thankful for my newfound career within progress. public works. Public works is a great place to grow and have ample opportunities for A Public Works Newbie One of the many sections I am involved in future enrichment. Helping our wonderful is helping to ensure our annual compliance residents on a daily basis provides a sense My background is in the entertainment with the City’s stormwater program. I have of accomplishment, and knowing you’re industry where I spent three decades of my been active with the educational factor – making a positive difference makes all the life. Following the birth of our first child, both internal and external. Comprehensive difference in the world! and wanting a position with stability that materials have been developed to train was closer to home, I applied for a position employees on an annual basis, as well as with the City of Goodlettsville as an creating materials for our residents and administrative assistant within the public businesses, as well as providing classroom works department. I was hired in August. educational opportunities within our City’s schools. I’ve attended and hosted educational seminars helping fellow stormwater project personnel throughout our various communities in Tennessee. As

48 Michele Ohmes & Maddie Americans with Disabilities Specialist • City of Kansas City, Missouri

I’ll begin with a few facts. never felt that it was a lack of respect for my nationally. I might add knowing personally abilities; just not agreeing with the issues. the extraordinary quality of this woman 1. I am the Americans with disabilities adds to my joy at their upward movement specialist for the City of Kansas City, 4. My lack of a professional degree has not in APWA leadership. I’ve received other Missouri, and interact and assist all stopped APWA or its members from working awards and recognition in the community departments of the City. I work with with me, including me on committees or but I don’t feel this article is about these employment, facilities, parks, and public using me for training or other activities. awards, but the wonderful acceptance of rights of way issues and training. I assist I have presented throughout our APWA. citizens, businesses, contractors, engineers, Metropolitan area and for many other architects, city council, Mayor’s Office and organizations too many times to count. 6. I serve on endless appointed boards anyone else needing information, guidance My message, common sense approach and nationally, statewide, regionally, and and direction related to accessibility issues. willingness to show how to be accessible are locally, and keep busy enough to collapse all that the public works professionals have each evening wondering where the 2. I am a person with too many looked for and build upon. strength comes from. It comes from disABILITIES to try to describe here, but I doing something I love—teaching and am the “Wild Wacky Woman of Wheelchair 5. As far as APWA is concerned they demonstrating to others what I know and APWA Woman in the Lane” with my priceless service dog Maddie. have published my book, The ADA And learning from others every day. There is not Public Works Arena APWA Congress attendees are used to Accessibility: Let’s Get Practical, which is a day I don’t learn something new. There is seeing the two of us flying around like in its 2nd edition. I have received the also not a day I don’t share my knowledge I have been in the public works arena since there is no tomorrow. I eat, sleep and drink APWA National Diversity Award and Metro with others. 1991 when I became a consultant for the accessibility. There is not a day I do not Chapter recognition certificates, I serve City of Kansas City Missouri. I then became meet barriers that try to stop me. However, on the National Facilities and Grounds I also have my own consulting firm which an employee of the City in November of it seldom works. Committee, and served on our Metro is called Michele & Associates which will 1994 in the Public Works Department, Chapter board, until health and other be a full time position when I am 65 in Architectural Services Division. I joined 3. I can’t even begin to describe the personal issues came up that made me step August of 2008 and retired from the City. APWA in the spring of 1995. In September unbelievable acceptance I have received back and resign. It is a decision that I have I have my own web site already and can of 1996 or 1997 I attended my first APWA from the APWA community. I of course never regretted, since I now see multiple hardly wait for my retirement from the Congress as a presenter in Minnesota. From have met a very, very few who have women in our Metro chapter, who really City since I have endless projects I want there I have not had time to look back. It problems accepting the issues I bring to have the experience and background, to get started on. I plan on immediately has been pedal to the metal ever since. Now them about accessibility. However I have serving on the board both locally and writing a daily “thought book,” expanding

49 Michele Ohmes

my motivational and keynote speaking of me since my beginnings are faith and engagements, and will continue with my the love of diversity. I tell people give me consulting throughout the country. I love diversity or give me death. Each person doing all-day workshops and serving on I meet, each profession I am exposed to, boards or working with organizations that each experience I live through helps me to encourage access and inclusion for all. I become a better person, and to realize that hope to continue with APWA and hope one it is the diverse threads of all I experience day to serve on its national diversity and that help me to absorb something from emergency management committees. I pray those I meet and my experiences. For my I am still teaching as they close the casket chaplaincy thesis, I quoted St. Paul, “I am on me. I love the motivational speaking all things for all men.” I know I often since people seem to give credence to my fail in this endeavor, but I shall never message since I use a wheelchair and have a stop working toward this belief. I feel that service dog. having lived in pain from birth, I have an understanding that has and can help others. I have several beliefs that are an integral Being told for the first third of my life that part of me. One I learned from my I was not capable and an inferior person grandfather is to always do your best “and gave me the determination to prove “I can then some” for good measure. From my and I will.” My goal is to continue using grandmother I witnessed the joy of learning my endless experiences to my last breath something new every day. She was learning by giving others HOPE-SOLUTIONS- AND until she died in her late eighties. For THE BELIEF THAT TOGETHER WE CAN BE myself I believe that Our ABILITY depends WINNERS by deciding we can instead of we on our spirit, our determination, and our can’t. refusal to give up, even if others give up on us. I tell people to follow the 4 Ls. Live- Love-Learn-Laugh and Share, and you will succeed within your own heart. This allows you to become infectious enough to inspire others to do the same. Two ingrained parts

50 Mary Ortega-Itsell Senior Project Manager •Aviation and Geospatial Services • Psomas

My Story - Early Start I quickly learned that not only was my Mentor and guidance in a number of ways. I presence in the world of construction not While I credit my early successes to my have used the services of a professional I started my career in public works in a welcomed, but also as a representative own initiatives and assumption of personal leadership consultant, joined a professional municipal engineering materials laboratory of a municipal entity, I was viewed as a responsibility, I would never have learned support group and as a lifetime learner, that tested and developed admixtures for hindrance to the forward movement of a as quickly or avoided the many pitfalls sought the latest thinking of university concrete products and provided asphalt and project. of being the onl y women in the group, professors. soils testing for both capital improvement without the help and guidance of my and private development projects. It was After the first month in this heavy mentor, who I still consider to this day to Challenges and Successes a rough and tumble man’s world of dust, construction environment, I experienced a be one of my greatest allies. Though I took on this workplace heavy machinery, movement, and speed. number of incidences that caused me step environment through my own initiative back and assess my situation. From that I have been asked in the past if I think and with the help of my mentors, not The gentleman who hired me, and would assessment, and with the help of my future that women can succeed in nontraditional so needless to say, I had my substantive later become my mentor, was direct in mentor, I began to develop my own set of professions without mentors. I have challenges during my career in public pointing out to me that I would have to guidelines to help me succeed: always thought that while one’s personal works. One of my most memorable work very hard to prove myself; not only to initiative will be the best barometer of experiences—and probably the one that the other men I would be working beside, • I would never match the strength of my success public works is a team sport and, taught me lessons that I use to this day— but also to the contractors we provided male counterparts, but I was agile and could therefore, requires knowing the rules of the happened early in my construction testing/ service to in the field. move quickly and efficiently. game. Yes, we can all learn them with time, inspection work. • I had never been in the construction but a mentor helps you over the hurdles I plunged into this world with the naivety business before, but I did have a good of that learning curve. If he or she is truly I arrived at a construction site and was of youth. After all, I had great technical foundation in the sciences, so I became a a mentor, that person will know your asked to perform some testing in a trench skills, a learned approach to precision and technical expert on soils and asphalts. strengths and weaknesses and help you to I knew was not properly shored. The exactness, and a belief in the rational power • While I was not part of the “good use them wisely. contractor was waiting, the machinery was of numbers to prove the quality of an ol’ boy” network, I was and still am idle and the project was behind schedule. endeavor. a “bootstrapper.” My bootstrapping Are we all blessed with someone who is I hesitated, although the superintendent mentality helped me stay the course and willing and able to use their resources in charge was aggressively asserting that made me a person who was reliable and to help develop our skill sets for our everything was all right, and that I didn’t trustworthy. nontraditional roles? The answer, of course, know what I was talking about. My instincts is no. However, we all can reach outside told me a different story, so I turned our professional circle and seek mentorship around, walked away from the trench and

51 Mary Ortega-Itsell

called my resident engineer. I refused to Advice enter the trench until my engineer arrived. Public works, like America, is a land of opportunity. I know sexism exists, but Upon assessing the situation, the testing refuse to let those attitudes stand in your was called off, and the contractor was put way. Find a way—under, through, or on notice for unsafe working conditions. around anything that binds or limits your Testing and inspection was not allowed potential and dreams. on the site until all safety issues were addressed. Could this scenario have Create a circle of recognition outside your happened to a man? Of course it could work environment. Join a charitable have, but I contend that the harassment I organization, volunteer at a women’s endured would not have been so aggressive resource center, or become part of a special and harsh if I were one of the guys. interest group. The world is much smaller than you think–those relationships can What I learned that day has been with me serve you well as you seek to advance through my professional advancement from yourself in your career. inspection, to construction management, program management and administrative Never stop the learning process. Engage responsibilities. Trust your instincts; they yourself in learning for learning’s sake. are usually right on. Some challenges in Always be curious about the world around life will be bigger than you can overcome you. on your own. No matter how much you want to prove yourself, it’s ok to call in Give back. I will repeat this for emphasis— reinforcements. And, above all, be firm in give back. It you are reading this essay, your commitment to your own betterment, you are already a part of a movement that but always be fair to those with whom you has taken shape over the past twenty years. work. Remember, there will be no tipping point until those of us who came before, can turn around and mentor the next generation into this public works world.

52 Kristina M. Ramirez, P.E. Project Engineer/Project Manager •Bury+Partners, Inc. • Temple, Texas

amongst the first meter maids for the City term objectives. She taught me to not be near the base. Needless to say, not all of of Topeka, and a manager for the Postal afraid of change and to have confidence my credits transferred, and I had to really Service. So when I decided to pursue an in myself. While under Mrs. Boldridge’s examine how I was going to manage both engineering degree it was no surprise that I guidance I realized that my true interest school and family. had their complete support. was in public works and more specifically in civil engineering. By the fall of 1999, my husband was My career path has taken many detours nearing completion of his military tour and along the way. My pursuit for a challenging My first taste of public works was during I began to look forward to completing my career began when I decided to study the summers I spent working for the Kansas degree. As a result of his job search, I came chemical engineering at the University of Department of Transportation. While across a drafting position at a local civil Kansas. While at KU, I became involved working for KDOT on a construction site, engineering firm. It was through this firm in engineering organizations such as the I realized that if I wanted to be taken and with the support of my bosses that I Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, seriously, I needed to be dedicated and applied to several universities. References the Society of Women Engineers, and a magnet for the knowledge that was all were submitted, interviews conducted and the American Society of Civil Engineers. around me. finally in the spring of 2000 my acceptance Through those organizations I developed to the Civil Engineering Department at You Can Do Anything if both personal and professional contacts During my senior year at KU I encountered Texas A&M University was a reality. You Put Your Mind to It that I have to this day. a series of detours. That year a military transfer to Texas came through for my As a working mother and commuter, I As I was growing up I pressured myself to It was through some of these same husband, and we found out that we were was labeled as a non-traditional student. excel in whatever I did. Inevitably there organizations that I met Mrs. Boldridge. As expecting our first child. After settling However, I was not alone and soon found were times where self-doubt also played the director of diversity programs for the in Texas, I decided to take a year off from that there were others who had chosen this a factor. During those times my mother school of engineering she was the official school to be with my infant daughter. same path as a part-time student with a would remind me “You come from a long school contact for some of the student While I was grateful for this opportunity, family. Working at least thirty hours a week line of strong women. You can do anything organizations that I participated in. Mrs. I was anxious to finish my degree. The was a necessity in order to keep company if you put your mind to it.” The “strong” Boldridge’s confidence and enthusiasm for goal I set for myself was to earn my degree benefits, which sometimes meant Saturdays women she was referring to not only raised her career were contagious. As one of my before my daughter started kindergarten. with my daughter in tow as my assistant. strong families, but they worked in atypical earlier mentors Mrs. Boldridge assisted me I enrolled as a part time student in the In addition to those work hours was the fields that included the railroad, being in setting goals and focusing on my long- spring of 1998 at a local community college commute from Waco to College Station

53 Kristina M. Ramirez, P.E.

to attend classes. For those that are not I accomplished this by taking the time to field unless we educate them about the familiar with Texas, that equates to about observe how my bosses handled themselves opportunities in public works. As a result I two hours in each direction. There are with clients, peers and subordinates. I took have become involved with various youth times when I look back and wonder how I those observations and adapted them to my outreach programs. I have spoken at several made it through. In May of 2002, with my work style. As my career has progressed, I career day events, participated in Engineer’s family in attendance, I graduated a full year have found that I am continually evaluating Day at a local public library, been part of before my daughter started kindergarten myself. Often I consult my college scholarship committees, and am a co-chair despite the obstacles. classmates and colleagues when I need for the 2007 APWA Congress Future’s Day direction or a fresh prospective. However, I program. I have found, whether it is in While working through school, I found found that asking the opinion of someone business or with children, extending that that the field of public works is not for outside of the field can be just as beneficial personal touch can help to get others those who can easily be deterred. In order if not more. motivated and involved. to advance myself, I had to learn to use my voice. I can recall having to ask to tag along My life experiences have inspired me to So why, do you ask, am I sharing all this? to a meeting or to a construction site just to help educate others about the field of public The answer is simple. I want other young gain experience. Then there were the times works. As a result, I became a member of professionals to know that despite the when I would show up for a meeting and APWA in 2004. One of the main reasons obstacles that come your way, it is possible everyone would assume that I was the one that I entered the public works field is to achieve your dream. When it comes who was there to take minutes, not to run because there is always something new to down to it, we all have hidden strengths. the meeting. On a personal note, after the learn. That is also the reason I decided to My mother was right. You can do anything birth of my son I even recall being asked if step up and become a board member of if you put your mind to it. I don’t know I planned on staying at home and if I was the Central Texas Branch of TPWA. The what my future will hold, but I am ready to planning on having any more kids. I was hours I have spent volunteering in this meet that challenge. The question is: “Are upset at having to deal with these issues; organization have taught me that there are you?” however, these situations motivated me to many aspects of the public works field that personally acknowledge my diversity and often go unnoticed. improve my voice. My personal goal is to educate as many youth as possible about the field of public works. They won’t choose to go into our

54 Lisa Rapp Director of Public Works •Lakewood, California

would always be able to find employment. industry was going to take such a nosedive! My stay in South Gate was a great The funny thing is, I don’t believe that experience. It was a time when the city they knew any engineers or even what an My career in engineering really took off in council and city administrator were engineer did, and neither did I. 1981 when I joined the staff of a small city working together to really improve the in southeast Los Angeles County. It was my community. We did a huge amount of When I was looking for a college major, I hometown of South Gate. I had grown up road work, as well as water and sewer main lamented to a high school classmate that in this place—returned to live there after replacement. We drilled four water wells, I loved math and science but I did not college—and had a deep attachment to installed telemetry, and built several water want to be in the health professions. He the community. Since it was a small city storage tanks. I learned water operations, suggested engineering, which led me to with a small staff, I was basically able to do building maintenance and improvement, examine its various disciplines. Ah hah! just about anything I was willing to take traffic operations, contract management, Civil sounded the most interesting—roads, on. It was a great experience for learning construction technology, assessment bridges, dams, buildings! I could be outside, municipal engineering. districts, personnel management, and not tied to a desk. (Well, maybe that was council and public relations. I worked long more of a dream.) Enthusiasm was key in getting the job. hours and gained immeasurable experience. I remember that the interview board Who Would Have Thought? I realize that girls in the mid-1970s were asked me if I was familiar with the Green I also learned about community service, not really exposed to the engineering fields, Book (California’s Standard Specifications being inducted as the first woman to join Who would have thought I would have which must have been the reason for my for Public Works Construction.) The the South Gate Rotary Club in its 50th come so far? I look back on a very own ignorance about it. So, I have tried answer was no—but that I would become year as a club. South Gate Rotary had rewarding career in public works and am in my own way to change the profile of familiar immediately! I got the associate been a long standing male bastion, but the amazed at where I have been and where I the profession. Only six girls were in my civil engineer position only to find that Supreme Court had ruled, and women were am still going. freshman civil class at USC in 1975, and the public works director who hired me to be admitted. only three of us made it to graduation in would leave within the first 6 months of I was raised by parents who, as children the same major. After graduation, I tried my tenure. (This would happen again at There were several older gentlemen who of the Great Depression, had limited a short stint with the City of Los Angeles my next city - I hope it wasn’t me….) I had been in the club since it had been education but who placed a very high Bureau of Engineering during their hiring spent the next six months as the acting chartered, and they had perfect attendance. value on it for their children. They also freeze, but left for what I thought was a director with virtually no experience—but I Needless to say, I was a bit worried about preached self-sufficiency and the value of more secure position in private industry survived! the acceptance thing, but decided that I meaningful work. They suggested that I with Bechtel Power Corporation. Who would apply my same level of enthusiasm consider training for a career in which I would have thought that the nuclear power to Rotary as I did at City Hall. After being 55 Lisa Rapp

in the club about six months, one of these their questionable work. “Lil’ Darlin’” to serving as the president of our Southern elder statesmen approached me and asked could climb! California Chapter in 2009. me “Lisa, are you enjoying Rotary?” “Yes, Nate, I am!” “Well, we sure are enjoying I eventually moved on to my present city, Throughout my career I have never felt as you!” That really made my day… week…. Lakewood, the original contract city in if I missed a promotion or was held back year…. California. After spending six months as because I am a woman in a field dominated the acting director shortly after I arrived in by men (particularly when I started). I Contractor relationships have sometimes 1990, I had the opportunity to really learn have been encouraged and mentored by been a challenge. I have a colleague who about outstanding contract government my male colleagues and have always been still, 20 years later, enjoys telling the story operations. I have had the opportunity treated with the greatest respect. So, to all about my run-in with some gypsy elevated to build some terrific capital projects, those gentlemen I have worked with or for tank painting contractors from the south. embark on some innovative ways of throughout the years, thank you for your They were the low bidders on a project bringing services to the community, utilize assistance, counsel and advice. And to to completely recoat, inside and out, our technology and develop great relationships my sisters, who have been there with me, four elevated steel water storage tanks. with colleagues, staff and council. I was thanks also to you for your help, support Contractors for this work in California named public works director in 1996, and and example. were becoming fewer and fewer, as various will likely finish my career in this position, communities dismantled their elevated although not for a while yet. So what does it take? Enthusiasm, tanks for earthquake safety reasons. These dedication to quality service, high ethical “good old boys” arrived in their pick-up Lakewood always supported my standards, and dogged determination. trucks and thought they were in charge. involvement in regional and professional A career in public works builds better One even referred to me as “Lil’ Darlin’” organizations. I have had the honor of communities and lives. Would I during the preconstruction conference. being the president of the public works recommend this profession to young They fell behind, ran into numerous department of the League of California women and men alike? You bet! problems of their own making, and Cities, which exposed me to the state eventually abandoned the project. They political process and the world of advocacy. finally paid the city to be relieved of their And my involvement in APWA has been contract responsibilities. But one of the rewarding in helping me to promote and most fun days that I had was climbing to support my profession, as well as public the top of the 160-foot-high tank to inspect service in general. I am looking forward

56 Teresa Scott, P.E. Director of Public Works •City of Gainesville, Florida

Years later as I was applying to colleges years of my life moving around in a military In 1997, I had the opportunity to move and contemplating my future my mother, family, I wasn’t too fond of the idea of up to the Public Works Director position who had never had the opportunity to moving so much in my adult life. with Gainesville, the largest municipality attend formal post secondary school but in Alachua County. While it was difficult was quite learned in many, many areas of So, it was somewhat due to happenstance leaving my mentor and the organization life, must have recalled my penchant for and luck, or as I prefer to think of it as God’s I had grown up under, it was a once in a building roads as a 10-year old. When I intervention, I began a career in public lifetime opportunity to grow professionally announced that I wanted to be an architect service in the public works department and stay in the community that my family my mother softly guided me to engineering in Alachua County, Florida. Beginning and I had grown to love whole heartedly. as a preferred alternative because the as an entry-level engineer, I worked in This too was a decision that I have never opportunities for applying my talents would development review and was assigned to regretted. be much broader. This proved to be a most meet with residents to hear their complaints rewarding direction for me and I have and resolve their problems. I spent 14 The move was quite an adjustment; the always been grateful to my mother for her years working through various levels of most challenging aspect was going from insight. that organization including the assistant second in command to first in command. director position under the mentoring of This slight change in position brings about A Builder’s Dream Realized During the late 70s there were very few the Director, Edwin (Ed) Culpepper, P.E. He a significant change in the dynamics of women in the field of engineering–even was a wonderful mentor and role model your place in an organization, the impact Like most 10 year old girls growing up fewer were found in the civil engineering for me, especially in the areas that are not of your decisions, and the way others view in the 60s, I had my collection of Barbie program. While it was challenging to be taught in engineering classes. He taught me you. In looking back I do not think that dolls. But the things that I absolutely got the only female in most classes; it did not about listening, having an open mind, and I handled the change the way I would if a thrill out of playing with were my 5-year cause me to falter in my decision or deter building consensus. He taught me that it given the opportunity to do things over. old brother’s Matchbox cars–especially me from my goal. is important to be consistent when making While the benefit of hindsight is always the bulldozer. I fondly recall stealing his decisions. “If you let someone do it today, easier, I think it is healthy to reflect on past carrying case and escaping into the back After completing my degree, I went to work you better be prepared to let someone else behaviors to learn from ourselves and to yard to build roads to drive the cars around for a private engineering and construction do it tomorrow.” help others. One lesson was that I would in my made up town. company seizing upon the opportunity do a lot of listening to others throughout to build things. This position sent me all levels of the organization during the first traveling through three different states few months without feeling the pressure within two years. Having spent the first 18 of needing to make quick decisions. This

57 Teresa Scott, P.E.

would allow the opportunity to make decisions more objectively about new directions to lead an organization.

Thankfully, I had a lot of opportunity to learn and adjust, and 10 years later I am still learning and adjusting. I still challenge myself to grow professionally and to lead our organization in meeting the public’s expectations as best we can. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed serving the public and knowing that each day my job is touching the lives of all the residents and visitors of our community; we do make a difference. And did I mention I get to build the roads in the town that I live in (they don’t let me operate the bulldozer though!)?

58 Kate Soga Owner/Manager/Recriter •Gold Rush Recruiters •Penn Valley, CA

Panhandle. As often happens in Southeast the floatplane. The pilot shoehorned five mission. Alaska, the weather had not been picture of us into the Beaver, the workhorse of perfect. Low hanging clouds and earth Southeast Alaska, handed out earplugs and I like to meet new people when I travel so hugging fog mixed with rain had been pointed out where we could locate float I decided to stay at a B&B called “Beyond the norm for about a week. The day I was vests. Being a man of few words, the pilot the Boardwalk.” Dragging my rear and scheduled to travel was no different. left our safety talk at that. Since I was the gear up the dock gangway and along the only woman on board, I chose to sit in the boardwalk, I encountered a very large man The view out my office window that back seat alone by the cargo. I didn’t want driving a golf cart (there are no automobiles morning told me I should call the airport to to be sandwiched in the midst of so much in Pelican). He was singing “Good Night see if planes were flying. Just as I thought, testosterone, but really, my secret aim was Ladies” in a very clear baritone. Turns out everyone was on hold, waiting for a break to sit close to the survival gear. he’s the owner of the B&B where I’d booked in the weather. Before I knew it I had my night’s lodging. worked the day away. About 3:30 p.m. I We started out flying pretty low, about got a call from Alaska Seaplanes air service 300 ft. above the ocean. Since it got a bit I followed him on foot along the boardwalk, telling me to “come on out to the airport bumpy I closed my eyes, cradled my head past city hall and up the hill to their hide- and we’ll give it a try.” Steeped in Alaskan in the webbing of the cargo divider, said my a-way in the woods. I entered a house that Not Your Ordinary Work Trip travel experience for the past 14 years must own silent prayer before slipping into the was caught in a 1970s time warp—lime have lulled me into a false sense of security. half-waking state of sleep I use to get me green shag on the narrow stairs, orange in Alaskan life is not all glorious vistas, wildlife I didn’t recognize that the “we’ll give it a through rough flights on small planes. the living room, and 70s psychedelic blue sightings and unparalleled beauty. Although try” statement was the first warning sign of and orange indoor-outdoor carpet in the we experience the phenomenal greatness of my upcoming adventure. Fifty minutes later we managed to get into bedrooms. They played it up by collecting our environment on a daily basis, there are Pelican by the skin of our teeth. We were 70s artifacts and displaying them around some days that are better than others. I reached the counter along with other told by the Pelican flight service agent that the house. A red lava lamp held a position passengers that had been waiting the day the plane that left Juneau right behind us of prestige next to my assigned twin bed. I recently made a work trip to meet with through, hoping, wishing and praying for had to turn around somewhere in mid- The place was a little too small for comfort city officials in Pelican, Alaska, to discuss the clouds to lift so we could all make our flight because they had been cut-off by fog. plus I had to share a very small bathroom upgrades to their potable water treatment destinations. We took turns weighing our We all sighed deeply as we climbed down with several other guests. The people were system. Pelican is a quaint little boardwalk gear, lying in whispers about our weight, from the plane on wobbly legs. Pounding extremely nice and the dinner was fair-to- community situated in Lisianki Inlet just and then standing back to see who would each other on the back we felt lucky, we middlin’, so I adopted my “Que Sera, Sera” off the outer West Coast of the Alaska be the first group ushered out to board made it, and could then complete our attitude and just went with it.

59 Kate Soga

Knowing I would be walking to and from played a little cribbage with one of the was just glad I was heading home (another waves got. When we hit the outside coast town, my B&B hosts asked me if I wanted guests, and then hit the hay. instance of my false sense of security). the waves were huge....huge...huge...the to carry a set of bells with me so the noise boat would literally disappear into giant would scare off the juvenile grizzly that had Sometime in the darkness of night I was The morning brought weather just as water troughs. It was an all out roller coaster been hanging around the trail. I declined, wakened by a tremendous ruckus. The crummy as the day before. One plane ride, water coming over the bow and cabin. deciding to whistle my way to city hall. whole house was in turmoil, dog furiously got in, so visitors and townsfolk gathered Well, the small cabin, stuffed with seven (How can you tell the difference between barking, bodies slamming down the ‘round and watched the three passengers people got hotter and hotter, smaller and black bear poop and brown bear poop? stairway, and yells and yips emanating disembark, looking shell-shocked as they smaller, as my stomach turned and flipped. —The black bear poop will have blueberries from the kitchen. I grabbed the little wind- climbed down out of the plane. The pilot I dashed outside without my coat, puked, in it, and the brown bear poop will have up alarm clock, held it close to my face to said he would not be returning to Juneau and hung on for dear life. It was raining bells in it!) determine what time I was disturbed so I because of bad weather, so any traveling cats and dogs, and I was soaked to the could complain about it later, and promptly hopefuls better find an alternate ride home. skin in no time flat. I couldn’t go back in Bolstered with chicken and rice casserole, a joined the rest of the group downstairs. I because I was seasick, so I toughed it out by side of red applesauce Jell-O (I think!) and know now that the body bulk of my host After much discussion with the locals, it was plastering myself against the outside cabin canned green beans, I headed off to town was insurance in the night. There he was, decided that those of us who really wanted wall with one handhold, a wide stance and hall to make my presentation to the city feet planted, back to the kitchen door to sleep in our own beds tonight should bent knees. We got to Elfin Cove where leaders and attending locals. Visitors in a with the noses of dog and bear wedged in consider traveling back to Juneau by boat. we dropped off the two lucky passengers. small water locked community can face between the small opening in the door. The After putting the young captain through I considered staying there and waiting for certain hazards, so on the walk down the bear had decided he liked the smell on the 20 questions about his experience, and a the weather to clear, but we were already hill I mentally prepared myself to become other side of the door and proceeded to novice inspection of the vessel, I signed two hours into our trip, so I justified staying this week’s entertainment for all those in push it in. The only thing between the bear on with six other people, two who would with the boat because I thought we were attendance. and us was our 350-pound host. The bear be dropped off in Elfin Cove. We were told halfway home. decided his intended midnight snack was it would take “about” four hours to get to Just my luck (sincerely), the attendance at just too much work and finally lumbered Juneau. Outside Elfin Cove we came to this very the town meeting was sparse due to the away. Cookies and coffee were passed narrow pass where the wind was howling mayor and other members of the council around while we all relived the tumultuous We had to travel down the long length of and the tiderips were boiling. I started being weathered down in Sitka. The news experience. Later that morning an Lisianki Inlet to the outside West Coast praying and slid down the cabin wall to of how much the water system upgrades enormous sliding bolt was scavenged from in order to make the turn into Icy Straits, brace my feet and get ready for a ride. We will cost would just have to wait. I got back somewhere in town and fitted to the back which leads to the inland water passage. had to back off to let another boat pass to my temporary domicile about 9 p.m., door. It didn’t make me feel any safer, so I The further west we moved, the bigger the through first and then gunned it and shot

60 Kate Soga

the rapids! Several fishing rods, complete adventure! Really at that point I just figured with lures and hooks, came loose from I would knock on the window if he went their rack, falling around me like timber overboard and then go back to sleep. I in a hurricane. The two plastic deck chairs managed to slip into unconsciousness for bounced around like a pinball against two hours, and then woke up, still lying bumpers. Later when I asked the captain on the deck in the rain, to find us within about the pass, he explained that the big 45 minutes of Juneau. Glory be, I was still rock visible in the pass is called “Million alive, stomach jumping, head pounding, Dollar Rock” named for the cost of the shivering, wet and happy to be close to many boats that have gone down there. home! We docked around 8:30 p.m. Gulp! I’m more convinced now than ever before I found the captain’s fish gut stained orange that the old adage “Ignorance is Bliss” is rain pants, held together by yards of duct true. The folks from Arkansas just had the tape, and put them on. I laid down on the time of their lives and couldn’t believe deck, using my arm as an impromptu pillow their luck of such an adventure to take back and proceeded to ride out the rest of the and relate to the folks back home. They trip. I started to feel a bit hypothermic and looked fresh and invigorated. And me? I was hoping someone would come out and just looked like a sad puppy that got left kick me occasionally to make sure I was out in the rain all night. Hindsight really is still alive. The only thing I got was the guy 20/20...next time I’ll wait for the weather to from Arkansas disturbing my cold induced, clear no matter how long it takes! semi-conscious reverie, coming out with his video camera to film the whales feeding I learned a week later that pilot took around Pt. Adolphus. Seeing him on deck advantage of an unexpected but momentary in his brand spanking new bright yellow break in the clouds and the plane took off rain jacket and no floatation device just an hour after we left the dock. I was asked gave me something else to worry about. He “Didn’t you see us? We flew right over you!” wasn’t holding on, the deck was bucking, The image of a strong Italian gesture was but by Jove he was getting a whale of an formulating in my mind.

61 Amy J. Story, P.E. Borough Engineer •State College, Pennsylvania

At Penn State I started my college career were municipalities. Gaining the design in horticulture, which makes sense having experience was only a piece of a much grown up in the agricultural world. But larger picture. Taking a project from its I soon realized that memorizing parts of conception through final completion meant plants had nothing to do with what I loved something different for each municipality, to do while growing up, so I switched to but it provided insight as to how a civil engineering. During my classes, as I municipality works and how decisions are learned all of the equations and formulas, made. This experience was immeasurable I thought back to how that applied to my when I finally reached my goal and began farm tasks without really knowing it. But working as the State College Borough the formulas and equations are just a part of Engineer. the public works life, and that I found out the summer I was an intern for the Borough Over the years, I have learned that a public of State College. During that summer, I works project is more than just getting the mainly worked on the survey crew, but right design or the construction completed during inclement weather I worked in the on time and within budget. A project is Getting My Start in Public Works office to draft, prepare bid documents, and truly successful when the people who are maintain records and maps. Watching the affected by it accept it. And whether it is Getting started in public works takes process of the engineering, the bidding and farm chores or public works projects, the me back to my childhood. Living on a the construction intrigued me, and I knew satisfaction of successfully completing a farm, I worked on civil engineering-type by the end of the summer that municipal project never changes. projects without realizing it—projects such engineering was where I wanted to be. as keeping water flowing into the pond, building pens for the animals, and repairing But after graduation I accepted a position the roads into the fields after each winter. with a private consulting firm and would What I did not know was how all of these work in the private sector for the next everyday tasks would eventually lead me ten years. Again, without realizing it, into the world of public works. these ten years would help to develop my professional career toward public works since many of the clients that I served

62 Meghan Theriault Town Engineer •Goffstown, New Hampshire

mechanical engineer, encouraged me to altogether. My early classes in my freshman that all my hard work through college choose a career in engineering. During and sophomore years did little to spark my was going to pay off. Would this career be my senior year, my high school offered interest, and I questioned if engineering what I had imagined and hoped for? I can students the opportunity to job shadow. was the right choice. I’ll never forget one of assure you that I was not disappointed. My father brought me to his company, my math classes, “Differential Equations.” My first boss, Warren Terrell, took me Lucent Technologies, for several days, where It was like learning a new language that I under his wing over the next several years I was able to meet engineers from many could not comprehend, no matter how hard and introduced me to a large variety of different disciplines of engineering. We also I tried. I remember thinking to myself, “If projects. I was able to work on sewer, took a tour of two wastewater treatment this is what engineering is about, I want water and drainage extensions for several plants to learn about the process. Meeting out–now!” communities, hydropillar and composite those professionals, talking with them water tanks, landfill monitoring and gas about their jobs, and seeing the products In my junior year, classes started to get collection systems, grant applications, and of engineering, began to spark my interest. more interesting, but the semester was so permitting. I was taken to project sites and Could a career in engineering be for me? packed with classes, projects, and labs, that client meetings on a regular basis, so that I felt as though I was drowning in all the I could be fully involved in all aspects of My parents and I discussed the various homework. I had to retake and squeeze the projects. My boss became a wonderful I Didn’t Get Here by Myself options and decided that civil or in summer classes to stay on track for mentor, and his constant guidance and environmental engineering would be graduating in four years. My parents were encouraging ways helped me to become the I am fairly new to the vast group of the best fit for me. At the time I went to constantly encouraging me to stick with it engineer I am today. professional women in public works. I’ve college, the University of New Hampshire and continue on. If it weren’t for them, I been the town engineer of Goffstown, New did not have a formal environmental would have given up for sure. When the For a lot of engineers, their first job is not Hampshire, for almost three years, and I engineering program, so I enrolled in civil day of graduation arrived, I was amazed exactly what they had envisioned, so they am happy to say that I truly love my job. engineering. My college experience was that I finally made it. That day was one of sometimes lose interest before even giving My journey started back in grade school very trying to say the least. I felt as though the proudest moments of my life. I had the career a chance. I was lucky enough where I excelled at math, strived to protect I was an above average student throughout reached the light at the end of a very long to find a company that took the time the environment, and enjoyed being a my earlier school years, but in college tunnel. to show me the variety of opportunities problem solver who took things apart and that all changed. The curriculum for in the field of civil engineering. After put them back together. These interests engineering was grueling, and as my grades My first job was at Dufresne-Henry, now three years of growing and learning, I left continued into high school, so my math and motivation seemed to go downhill, Stantec, in Westford, Massachusetts. I Dufresne-Henry with a heavy heart, and teachers (both women) and my father, a there were times when I felt like giving up was very nervous to start there and hoped moved to New Hampshire to work at CLD

63 Meghan Theriault

Consulting Engineers in Manchester. I through several interviews, I was offered go out to bid, we inspect the construction taste for what a career in public works/ worked on the design of water, sewer and the job. I did not know what changes lay and work with the contractor throughout engineering has to offer. My college did not drainage extensions for communities in ahead for a move from private industry the summer to resolve any design changes. have a formal co-op program, but I would New Hampshire and Vermont, similar to to the public sector, but I was excited just In addition to reconstruction of existing recommend to any student that they try to what I had done at my previous job. I thinking about it. Since Goffstown was a roads, all new public roads must be get an internship over the summer in the was introduced to the construction side of client at my previous job, I already knew inspected during construction to ensure engineering profession even if it extends civil engineering, which brought me one several people, including my boss Carl proper installation. Prior to these new their 4-year program to a 5-year program. step closer to the job I now have in public Quiram, the director of public works, which roads being built, the plans go through the Through internships, students can gain real works. eased the transition. Carl became another planning board process, where I provide all life experiences and feel more comfortable mentor, showing me around town and technical review and attend all planning in their choice of engineering while coping Although I did not have a lot of experience indoctrinating me into how the department board meetings. This can be a very lengthy with the academic struggles. with construction, with the help of some worked as a whole. We attended planning process, sometimes over a year or two, training, I progressed quickly. Soon, I board meetings, and he slowly introduced where we provide multiple reviews to There are many aspects of my job in public became a resident engineer in Windham me to each aspect of my new job. Carl deal with issues such as site design, traffic works that make this an exciting career. For and Goffstown, inspecting the construction supports and encourages me, and is always impacts and off-site improvements. me, seeing projects from start to finish is of all new roads, including water, sewer, there to assist me by answering my many rewarding. I feel as though I have made a drainage, bridge structures, retaining walls, questions. I continue to learn from him Many colleges have internship or co-op difference in the quality of infrastructure paving activities, and erosion control everyday. programs, which I think are a very positive in our town by reviewing or designing monitoring. I thoroughly enjoyed being experience for students. Our department the plans and then making sure the out in the field and found this type of work As town engineer I have many promotes this type of program and looks construction meets our standards. Public as close to “hands-on” projects as you can responsibilities, but with assistance from for different students to participate each works is very much a team environment get. The quick pace of building roads and Carl and a great team of supervisors, year. In the summer, we usually hire one in which everyone must work together to the level of detail associated with it was administration, and crew, we are able to or two interns who work with me on the accomplish the large list of projects. I am fascinating. get a large amount of work accomplished. Town’s pavement management program. lucky to have a team that works so well Every year we design several road This program is an on-going inventory and together. Within a year, a wonderful opportunity reconstruction projects, from initial plans inspection process that rates all 370+ roads presented itself that I could not turn to permitting and bid packages. This year based on a series of pavement distresses. One aspect of public works that I was down. The Town of Goffstown created a we also have four bridge replacements going The interns accompany me to construction not aware of was how much of a “people new position for a town engineer with the out to bid in which we provided all the in- sites and meetings and are involved in person” job this is. I am constantly working department of public works. After going house design. After projects such as these several other projects that give them a with contractors, manufacturers, suppliers,

64 Meghan Theriault

planners, consulting engineers, residents, support from Carl, my boss, has increased interns, and even students throughout their level of respect for me as the town the year. I love that aspect of the job and engineer. having the opportunity to meet and learn from new people. A career in public works I have been working for the Town of opens up many possibilities for growth and Goffstown as their town engineer for almost presents new challenges and opportunities three years. I truly love my career and hope for learning each and every day. Unlike a to stay here for many years. I find that I career in consulting, in public works you have a great balance of work and family can directly see the changes that take place life, and if I can continue to enjoy my in the community as a result of your efforts. profession, it will only make me a happier, healthier person. I think as professionals I am often asked what challenges I have we need to do more to encourage faced as a female in a male-dominated young women to enter engineering or industry. I do tend to take things public works fields by mentoring them, personally, and that is something that I offering job shadow days and continued constantly need to work on. Beyond that, encouragement. I know that if I didn’t have there are not many challenges that I face the constant support and opportunities due to my gender. For me, my age can be that family, teachers, and mentors were so more of a factor along with the fact that willing to give, I would not be where I am I lack the years of experience that others today. So, for that I thank everyone who may have. This is mostly an issue with has helped me along the way, for I would contractors who often say, “I’ve been doing not be where I am without them. this type of work longer than you’ve been alive.” Most times, I cannot argue that fact, but regardless, I have a job to do and that is to oversee their construction whether they like it or not. I find that staying confident, consistent, and fair with the contractors has helped this situation. Also, the constant

65 Elizabeth Treadway Vice President •AMEC Earth & Environment •Greensboro, North Carolina

surprise. It gave me pause to think about some folks I was the best candidate (for and women than me, who daily delivered the journey I had taken for I certainly which there were 109 applicants). They to the community foundational and did not plan a career in public works and must have seen that I offered the talent and critical services that contributed to an wasn’t targeting such public service when skills, but I have to admit I was worried that outstanding quality of life. Greensboro I graduated from the University of Hawaii. I had taken on more than I could manage. is a great place to live because of the Even upon return to college for graduate superior public infrastructure designed, study in finance, I wasn’t thinking about But my personal commitment to public built and maintained by professionals of public service in local government. I had service began many years before, at the the engineering, technical, mechanical worked for the federal government for six knee of my father, who set the example and and clerical staff within the public works years in various roles, leaving to return to spoke so eloquently of the honor of giving operations. Those men and women became college full-time after having served as the one’s time and talent to the service of my trainers, who accepted my leadership administrative officer for a division of the others. He often quoted Thomas Jefferson and allowed me to create an environment National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, and Abraham Lincoln, and he lived for personal and professional success. Dale Maryland. But I thought my career was each day through personal dedication to James, David Kirkman, Clark Readling, Ed headed for Wall Street. excellence in performance, giving his time Sizer, Bob Seals, and many other public and talent for the Navy and later for the works leaders throughout the state provided My Adventure in Public Works Unconventionally, perhaps, but I gave up foreign service in Asia and South America. me guidance, encouragement and counsel. goals of private investment management His values were passed along to me and I owe much to them and so many others Just a few years ago, my son asked me, as he when I realized that being responsible for my siblings, four out of six of whom have who gave me direction and support over the was contemplating his future and potential the financial worth of others was definitely worked directly for local or national-level years. careers, whether, when I was a little girl, not for me. I moved to North Carolina government agencies. I ever thought about running a “garbage” (with stops along the way in California and I had a lot to learn from the very first business. At the time he asked this all- Oregon–but that is another story) and that In meeting challenges offered by my role day on the job, as assistant public works important question of destiny, I was the is where my public works journey began. in the City of Greensboro, I was most director, under Mike’s leadership. One of environmental services director for the City No job, single mother (another twist to the fortunate to be mentored by equally his first objectives was to get me involved of Greensboro, North Carolina, and was tale), new city and no prospects; I found talented and dedicated individuals as my in the North Carolina Chapter of APWA. responsible for the solid waste operations, myself applying to the City of Greensboro father. Mike Dawkins, now retired public To this day, the friends, old and new, stormwater services, fleet maintenance, for a job as a Transportation Planner for works director for the City, became my within the Chapter, are “family.” I have cemeteries, and environmental compliance public transit. Talk about gutsy, I knew I guide as I walked the path of managing been fortunate to serve my chapter in so services. His question caught me by could do the work, but I had to convince diverse, talented, more experienced men many roles, working through leadership

66 Elizabeth Treadway

positions, committee chair positions, with the environment in which I worked department was to be divided into four new outreach, and other such activities. My to chapter president. In addition, Mike each day. Early on, I requested that my departments. There was concern about focus is in the water resources arena. I provided me the time and recommendation office be moved from City Hall to the the title of “public works” and who might have had such fun making new friends to serve at the national level of the operation center where all the employees end up with those words within the title and building new partnerships in public association, working for six years on the in my divisions reported. Many parts of of a new department, so the decision was service. My greatest achievement today is Water Resources Committee (2 as chair), the Center required safety equipment such reached that none of the four new units as a mentor. To my now-adult son (who the Government Affairs Committee, and as steel-toed shoes, safety vests and hard would be labeled as such. Thus was born is not in public works but is following numerous roles as a volunteer in the hats. In turn, I was often back in City the environmental service department his creative dream in music production), Education Program, including chair of the Hall to meet with council or community for which I would be made director. As to the newly graduated technical staff of National Congress Program Committee. In leaders. Adjusting to changes in clothing one might guess, the issue of not being an my firm, to the communities I work for, these many roles, I was able to learn, grow and being flexible in working with unskilled engineer was at the heart of the issue in the and to my peers I have the greatest joy and then give back to my community the laborers, technical specialists, engineers, naming of the new department that I was in opening doors as a mentor, lending a skills gained through these experiences. community activists, elected officials, and to lead. No matter the years of service, the helping hand and volunteering for my My chapter and my staff at the City city leaders was easy – getting others to endorsement of staff and the community, public works chapter. My 24-year career honored me with a nomination for the stop “protecting” me was harder. Not only there were peers who found the idea of in public service has been exciting and prestigious award of “Top Ten Public Works did have I have to overcome the “female” a non-engineer and “public works” in immensely enjoyable. Through the ups Leader,” conveyed to me in 1997. I tip factor, I did not bring the typical credentials combination difficult to accept. Eventually and downs, the opportunities to build my hat and must acknowledge my terrific to the table, either. A non-engineer AND a they would come around or retire–it clearly character and to share experiences, working public works staff because the award was female – what was Mike Dawkins thinking? was their problem and not mine. in public works has been totally joyous. I a direct reflection of the contributions of am thankful for that day in 1983, in the each and every one of them who made After several years in the role of “assistant” Leaving the City was not my idea–being library in Greensboro when I read the a recommitment everyday to serve the public works director, I was faced with a embroiled in a community controversy job announcement for a transportation community to the best of their ability. reorganization of the department. Public and conflict internally, I resigned from planner. It was the first step in a wonderful works was the largest department in the City and became a public works adventure—one I hope to continue for years I am often asked if there were challenges the City and represented the services of consultant. In the past eight years, I to come. that I had to face that perhaps a man engineering, water, sewer, transportation, have had the privilege of serving many in a similar position might not have to solid waste, stormwater, hazardous waste communities across the nation, providing deal with and, of course, the answer is and environmental compliance, real estate, assistance in organizational management, “yes.” But not unexpected or unfairly cemeteries, and fleet maintenance. There public works program financing, public made, such challenges had more to do were four assistant directors, and the policy, community education and

67 Cathy Trexler Management Analyst •Allegheny County Public Works •Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

filtered throughout my career. for, at that time, women only. That’s where professionals. I was assigned special I met some of the most inspiring women projects to develop automated processes, My father, who was employed by the of my life. I followed their motto “Greater interactive websites or other computer- Pennsylvania American Water Company, Knowledge–Greater Service.” Through related tasks. Unfortunately, I was caught taught me that a whole world existed ADDC I learned about fuel conservation up in the “mean and lean” era of mergers beneath our feet–an intricate underground and alternative energy sources such as and acquisitions. Although I was able to system distributing water to everyone in nuclear power, and I found myself intrigued avoid the hatchet several times during South Pittsburgh. Dad was “always there for with the Alaskan Pipeline. In the early the tumultuous transitions, I could no you” spending many long hours to restore 80s when Gulf was acquired by Chevron, I longer avoid it. When Dominion took water to a community after a water main turned down a transfer to Houston to stay over, I found myself again looking for break or other emergency. He explained in Pittsburgh. employment. to me why there were more breaks in the freezing cold of winter and the extreme heat I moved on to Consolidated Natural Gas Then along came the opportunity to of summer, what items are safe or unsafe Company where I progressed through interview with the Allegheny County to flush or pour down drains, and how tree various positions in the financial, human Department of Public Works. They were roots or even animals can cause problems to resources and computer services areas. My looking for a project manager for the Public Works: A Dubious Career water lines. Although I found it interesting, thirst for knowledge continued, so I became American Public Works Association (APWA) Choice? learning about pipelines did not help with a part-time student and earned my degree accreditation project. The job sounded like prospective career choices for girls at that in accounting–a practical choice. it would be a cinch. (Okay, I can hear you I’ve jumped around so much in my career time. So I pursued a career as a secretary. accreditation managers laughing!) Tired I joke with my kids that I still don’t know Furthermore, I took a course offered by of dodging bullets in the private sector, I what I want to be when I grow up. So how During the energy crisis of the 70s, I worked ADDC to gain a better understanding looked forward to moving into the public did I get started in the field of public works? for Gulf Oil Corporation. It was here I of the gas industry – from exploration sector where I might have an opportunity To be honest, the door happened to be had my first experiences with “emergency and production to transmission and to make a difference in my community. I open, and I walked in. But after giving it management.” To this day I wonder distribution. I also became a certified was offered the job and began my career in some thought, I find my roots are actually what would have happened if our bomb web author. My “greater knowledge” public works. much deeper than the last three years of my searches would have ever exposed a real opened doors for me to provide “greater employment with the Allegheny County bomb! While at Gulf, I became active in service.” Since I could speak both their I immediately found public works extremely department of public works. My interest the Association of Desk and Derrick Clubs languages, I became a liaison between gas fascinating. As I tackled each chapter of in infrastructure began at an early age and (ADDC), an industry-related organization operations and information technology APWA’s Public Works Management Practices

68 Cathy Trexler

Manual, I learned about every facet of Much to my surprise, I was put in the want them.” I am grateful for APWA and public works–engineering and construction, spotlight several times this past year. a position that provides me with endless road and bridge maintenance, fleet and APWA’s Ann Daniels invited me to Kansas opportunities. I am proud to be a part of heavy equipment operations, emergency City to become an APWA evaluator to public works and look forward to the road management as well as all the legal and assist other agencies who are pursuing ahead. compliance issues involved. The self- accreditation. How exciting! Furthermore, assessment process is ongoing and enables Earl Fitzgerald, Gerry Nosal and Don me to develop initiatives to continuously Berman invited me to join the board of improve the delivery of our services. I directors of APWA’s Western Pennsylvania learned and continue to learn from the best. Chapter. What an honor! I attended the Our employees are experts in their fields, Emerging Leaders Program at Congress in and my new friends at APWA are a valuable Kansas City. What an experience! I was resource in providing the support, advice taken aback when I was nominated and and tools necessary to accomplish my goals. awarded second place as Pennsylvania’s Woman in Public Works at the Pennsylvania It didn’t take long for me to witness our Statewide Symposium in Gettysburg. Wow! employees’ selfless displays of heroism After all these years looking up to the during emergency situations both on inspiring women in my life, they told me I and off the job. Yet their efforts would was a role model for other women. I never mostly go unnoticed. So I sought ways to thought of it that way! recognize them for the heroes they truly are. I worked toward recognizing public As it turns out, public works was a perfect works personnel as first responders and choice for me. Not only do I get to work arranged to have them NIMS certified. with a great group of people, I find it very Through APWA, I promoted National Public satisfying to be able to blend my diverse Works Week in Allegheny County and interests and skills. Since I enjoy a constant the City of Pittsburgh. As editor of In the challenge, the words of my former boss, Works, our department’s newsletter, I put Tom Kelley, continue to motivate me. Prior our “invisible workforce” and their good to leaving his job at the County he told works in the spotlight. me, “The opportunities are there–if you

69 Elia Twigg, P.E. Division Manager •City of Palm Bay, Florida

geeky guys. Now I think back and realize team a second year and came extremely and commercial sites, and obtained all the that I had it all wrong…not all engineering close to going to Nationals again, however, permits for my projects. After three years disciplines fit that stereotype…I am a civil close in the competition did not cut it. at that company, I came across an open engineer—I could never be like that! Nor position in management at the City of Palm could my identical twin sister since she is I spent most of my college time working Bay. I suppose I never thought I would also a civil engineer! on this annual project, while also working pursue a career in any municipality, but I and keeping up my grades. Although I felt I should take the opportunity and know We both went to the University of Florida was extremely busy with extracurricular that I could always find something else, or (UF) in summer of 1997. When I toured activities (concrete canoe, intramural sports, go back to my previous employer if things various colleges, I found out about the work, etc.), I managed to still graduate with did not work out. concrete canoe competition sponsored honors! by American Society of Civil Engineers My first position at the City was right-of- (ASCE). The project was a year-long and My sister and I were the first set of twins way services manager, a division manager it challenged students to design, fabricate, to graduate with a bachelor of science in position responsible for a division of 27 and race a concrete canoe. During my civil engineering. The year we graduated, people. I had the opportunity to mold freshman year at UF, I joined ASCE and the the college of engineering had its first the new division and lead it in any Make It Happen canoe project team. I was a paddler for the graduation ceremony separate from the rest direction I felt it needed to go (within five years (yes, five years) I was in school; I of the university. The College wanted a reason, of course). The predominant part I was a very rare teenager in that I decided also was team leader for two of those years. personal ceremony, so they sought student of this division deals with permitting my career path in my 11th grade drafting speakers through an application process. for construction in the rights-of-way class. I enjoyed drafting and thought I Previous students suckered me in to They selected my sister and me to speak (driveways, utility installations, etc.) and for would be an architect, but after visiting becoming team leader; meanwhile, I did at our graduation–truly one of the highest single-family lot drainage. an art school, I decided architecture was not have a clue how to manage this project, honors we have ever attained! not my thing. My drafting teacher then nor did I have a clue how to build the I faced so many challenges in the first few talked to me about pursuing a career in civil darn thing. With a lot of determination, Post graduation, she moved to the months in that position. Being the newbie engineering. commitment, and motivation, I led the west coast of Florida to work for an on the block always leads to having to team to Nationals for the second time in UF engineering company, and I moved to the prove oneself of worthiness; however, being My dad was an electrical engineer—the history!! Keep in mind that I had no idea east coast of Florida to work for a small young, looking younger than my age, and nerdy kind, which made me stereotype what I was doing, I just made it happen! engineering company that mostly did land being female were just a few challenges I all engineers as dorky, pocket protector, With a full year of experience, I led the development. I designed subdivisions faced. I had to prove my competency to

70 Elia Twigg, P.E.

my staff, while also trying to gain their trust 2006. Then a division manager position since many things were about to change. opened that encompassed maintenance So……which one are you? & construction, traffic operations and During one of my first few weeks of work, I customer service. It was an opportunity to attended a meeting with some really angry advance since the division had 75 people, builders complaining heavily about the so I applied and was offered the position. delays in their permitting. The housing During the transition of positions, I took boom happened so quickly that our the P.E. exam and passed first time. I department could not keep up with the did not want the agony of taking that new construction. Little to my knowledge, test twice, so I studied hard and made it driveway permits were so far behind that, in happen! In case you are wondering, my some cases, the future home owners lived in sister also took the test and passed. motels to wait for their driveway permits. As exemplified above, you must be In order to attempt to get back on track determined and motivated to make things with the permitting, I started changing happen and get the results you want, and some of our permitting procedures, while you also have to know how to motivate also hiring temporary staff to help with those that need to make things happen. the process. I had multiple meetings with builders, all of which were up in arms I am currently reading Naked Thinking, because they could not close on their by Phil D’Agostino, which had a quote homes in the times they needed, or the something like the following: times they promised to their clients. I, along with my staff, made it happen—the Which person are you? permits finally got to a point that could be One that makes things happen. managed by the staff-at-hand. One that watches things happen. One that stops things from happening. While things were getting under control, One that talks about things happening and I started studying for my professional takes credit if they do and deflects default if engineering (P.E.) exam in October they don’t.

71 Colene Vogel Technical Services Program Manager •American Public Works Association •Kansas City, Missouri

with a minor in community and blond. (I still am.) I was also a woman. retirement party cakes. The honeymoon regional planning. I was all set to be an (I still am.) I had never in my life felt ended pretty early on, really. At that time, environmental planner. I worked two jobs discrimination, except for a few hints that I was one of only three people in the entire for one semester and went running back to year I worked in a hardware store during department with a master’s degree. I didn’t school. One year later, at the ripe old age college. There weren’t many women in the need a master’s to order cakes. And, I didn’t of 22, I had completed all of the courses department, and I was by far the youngest. need it to be recycling coordinator. Of for a master of science in environmental Many of my coworkers had children my course, after eight years, the City didn’t studies. Shortly after leaving graduate age. When the recycling centers first put need a recycling coordinator either. My school, a matter of months, I went to work in donation boxes and I had to go out position was eliminated. I was presented for the City of Independence, Missouri, and collect the money, I was instructed with the opportunity of taking a newly Public Works Department as the recycling to take someone with me. I’m not sure if created position of pollution prevention coordinator. Five years later, I was still all that fatherly concern for my safety was specialist in the water pollution control there. I had met my goal. due to my age, my sex or just a thorough department. It was a lateral move for me. knowledge of local crime statistics. But, the I was very disappointed. I had spent eight I stumbled into public works. And, since concern wore off, and soon I was making years in a job for which I was overqualified. I was working in solid waste, I obviously my weekly trips solo. I was not being fired or promoted. I was You Can’t Just Be Tough stumbled in the back door. I was trying being shuffled off. At least, that’s how it to convince citizens and coworkers to I settled into my position and learned more felt. I only stayed a year. Where exactly did my career in public reduce, reuse and recycle. I earned new about trash than I ever imagined I would. I works begin? Did I actually choose a titles: “Trash Lady” (from the public works served on all kinds of regional committees There are many wonderful people working career in public works? I don’t think so. I director), “Recycling Queen” (from the local and even chaired a couple. I wrote grant for the City of Independence. Even the remember a professor in graduate school newspaper reporter who covered City Hall) applications. I reviewed grant applications. one who called me a twit has her good asking us to write down where we planned and my favorite, “That Little Twit” (from a I became a locally recognized “expert” points. Actually, like most women I’ve to be in five years. I wrote that I would be less than enthusiastic coworker). I didn’t on drop-off recycling centers. And, the met in public works, she’s tough. I think I working for a government or nonprofit. I mind. I was young, and my energy and years slipped by. I taught myself desktop toughened up a little in that department. didn’t write what I would be working as! convictions were powerful fuel. publishing so I could do my newsletters and Tough enough to have a good long laugh brochures. I took web design classes so I over a fire once. It was a small fire. There I graduated high school a year early, at I don’t know if I was discriminated against. could get the information on my programs was no property damage. No one was hurt. seventeen years old. Three years later, I Discrimination is a big word. But, I was 22 on the City’s website. I also put up a lot No one was even there. Someone just called had a bachelor of science in geography years old and I looked even younger. I was of holiday decorations and ordered many in when they saw a pile of wood chips

72 Colene Vogel

smoking. My comments to the Street Crew go but knew that only the director and Is it any wonder that I e-mailed Ann once one of the reasons I love working for her is Foreman who made the piles had fallen on chief engineer would probably get the again when I saw the job opening at APWA that if it’s not good enough, she’ll say so. deaf ears. Of course, I’m sure I sounded opportunity. Then, I saw a program called a few years later? I read and re-read the like a silly alarmist when I said, “You can’t Emerging Leaders and noticed that the posting. I was sure that the job had to leave those big piles of chips for very long. name of the contact person at APWA was a be working with Ann. It sounded like They’ll spontaneously combust.” I said, familiar one. I thought I might have been her department. I thought for sure she’d “I told you so” over and over. Of course, in the department too many years already think I was going to be e-mailing every only the clerk was listening. But, I think I to qualify, so I e-mailed Ann Daniels. I few years when I needed something. Now, was more or less singing that “told you so.” met Ann about a month into my job at the I just e-mail needing something daily. There may have even been a little dance City. She was still city administrator to the That’s because I’m a program manager with it too. So, you can’t just be tough, you City of Riverside at the time, and she was in the technical services department and have to have a good sense of humor too vice-chair of the solid waste management Ann’s the director. You’ll never believe because sooner or later, a resident’s going to district. I thought she was one seriously which technical committees I staff. I have call you and ask you something like, “Is a tough cookie and quaked at the thought of solid waste management, water resources toilet an appliance?” her reviewing my grant applications. management and facilities & grounds. It’s a perfect fit for someone who worked in solid I may have been educated as a planner, but Ann encouraged me to submit an waste and stormwater, and who started I know that public works is where the real application for the Emerging Leaders college as an architecture major and even work gets done. I left city government, but program, and I was accepted. The cheaper took a course in landscape design. I stayed in public works. I do occasionally registration and no travel costs were enough miss watching all the trucks and loaders roll to convince my director to let me go to If you’ve been following my story here and in for a clean up event and getting a little Congress. I loved it! I still remember a doing a little math, you’ll know that after dirty, but being a published author makes session that I attended on hosting open 11 years in the public works profession, up for it. That never would have happened houses to improve public outreach. My I’m still just 33. So, I’ve got a little time if I hadn’t gone to work for APWA. mentor in the program was Jim Close until retirement, which is good because I’ve who was on the solid waste management got so much more to do! There’s always I knew all about APWA not long after my technical committee. I met many great something new to learn. Now, in case you public works career first started. I wasn’t people, including the APWA president think I haven’t sucked up enough, I want a member though until Congress came to himself! to add one last thing. I was honored when Kansas City in 2002. I really wanted to Ann asked me to contribute an essay. And,

73 Bobbi Wallace Manager, Surface and Waste Water Division •Public Works Department •City of Kirkland, Washington

to reduce the staffing to 84 full time staff. I am now 44 and no longer work in the You pick up skills for prioritizing, multi- This work kept me extremely busy and field but have full respect for those who tasking and recognizing challenges and stressed for more than 10 years. do. I am honored to manage a team of problem solving. I’ve learned that working 13 hard working pros. The surface and together with staff to solve problems I’ve held many public work positions over waste water division provides direct service and implementing change is critical the years. I’ve been a street maintenance to the citizens of Kirkland. The team I for successful transitions and problem supervisor and concrete paving crew chief manage works hard to respond to flooding resolutions. for Seattle’s Transportation Division. My concerns, cleaning storm and sewer career began with the City of Seattle at the systems, maintaining and rehabilitating I have had many mentors over the years. age of 19, working as a gardener with the lift stations, manholes, catch basins, Most of them were men who were willing street tree program. Truck driving and heavy mainlines, streams and ponds. I really enjoy to share the tips that they have learned equipment operation appealed to me, so I expanding my knowledge and experience along the way. This is a huge contribution moved away from gardening and into those from transportation, parks and now to considering the strong network of tradition positions operating eductor trucks, dump utilities. It is great working with dedicated with our brothers in public works. trucks, backhoes, rubber-tired loaders and professionals who dive in to tough Many had mothers, sisters, daughters or asphalt rollers. challenges with positive attitudes. wives who were very dear to them and Keep Fit; Keep Happy; they appreciated the contribution that Keep An Open Mind Last year I was appointed to represent One of the greatest challenges is to be women brought to the field. Others, County Government on the National Urban open to change and support toward and unfortunately some still remain, are I started my career with the City of Seattle and Community Forestry Advisory Council, teammates under stress. Stress triggers many threatened and have difficulty accepting in 1981. When I left the city I worked (N.U.C.F.A.C). The council advises the negative behaviors. In the public sector, women in roles of leadership or partners for the park system, managing the North Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest funding can be tight. This will often lead in the trenches. For others, seeing women Division’s Resource Section. I currently am Service on Urban and Community Forest to stress and outbursts, passive aggressive in combat roles through the recent new to the field of utilities. I have been issues. This is a three year appointment. I behaviors and team sabotage. To prepare for conflicts has opened many eyes to all the working with the City of Kirkland for six travel throughout the country gathering managing people through hard times, it is possibilities. It has not always been smooth months. Previously, I managed the King information on urban forest successes and important to develop abilities to recognize sailing, and there still are challenges now County Park System’s Resource Division in challenges. In 2007 we meet in Biloxi, these behaviors and seek out resources or and then, but overall I can say that working Washington State with 155 full time staff at Mississippi, to hold a public forum hearing strategies. Sometimes managing people in a non-traditional field has been a great peak funding levels. Unfortunately funding on the major storm impacts to the urban can be related to experiences in combat, thing for me and my family. for parks is lacking in our region, and I had forests. emergency room or extreme conditions.

74 Bobbi Wallace

In the future I would like to build my I am thankful that my son is such a great experience with utilities so that someday kid. Setting high goals for yourself does I may manage a small city or county. I wash over onto your kids. My son is close to have been honored to receive awards completing his scouting and working on his along the way, such as the Excellence in Eagle, he is a straight “A” kid who loves to Management Innovations Award from read and hang with his buds to play video the Seattle Management Association for games. I, in the mean time, garden and recycling and the relocation of a donated enjoy home improvements and try to get building that eventually became the city’s away with friends to ski in Canada as often first environmental education center. The as I can. division I managed for King County Parks received The King County Government, Keep fit and keep happy, and keep an open Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award mind. Change is not a bad thing. Too much for the outstanding commitment toward can be overwhelming so pace yourselves. the values and beliefs of Martin Luther King My family is Hawaiian, so I will end with Jr. I am very proud and honored to have Aloha and Mahalo for the opportunity to played my part in receiving these awards. share my story.

I have learned the importance through the years to balance life and work. There was once a time where I would sacrifice family for work, (leaving my son to play ball without me in the cheering section.) Regret is something I don’t spend energy on. I know my son respects me and is proud of me. Now that he is 16 and I am re-engaging myself into PTSA and attending important school functions, I am sure he wishes I was still a workaholic. Children need their parents most when they are teenagers and

75 Jeri Ward Management Analyst •Department of Transportation •City of Tucson, Arizona

I have had the good fortune to work in special project that he wanted me to work each division and present them with an almost every division of our department on that would take approximately four overview of APWA and the self assessment and am considered somewhat of a wealth years. It was called the American Public and accreditation process, and what it of useless information, or as “Special Works Association Self Assessment and would ultimately mean to the department. Projects go-to-girl,” or as “just ask Jeri, she’ll Accreditation Process. At that time, all I know what to do or who to ask” and as really knew about APWA was that they We ended up with a team of 14 staff “the girl who just can’t say no.” I cherish had really cool posters every year for members, which included equipment these nicknames because it gives me the National Public Works Week (I have quite operators, clerical staff, engineers, opportunity to work with so many different a collection). It sounded like a challenge administrators, code inspectors and finance people, and I am always learning—but it to me, so of course I agreed. I really hated staff. This diverse group helped us get hasn’t always been this easy. leaving the streets and traffic maintenance down to the real nuts and bolts of what we division, but knew I would remain close to do and should be doing as a department. I’ve worked in engineering, contract them and what they do during this process. Our department is one of the largest in administration, public participation, streets the City and is spread over five different and traffic maintenance, management My first step was to attend a self assessment locations. It was a real eye-opener to many services, the director’s office and now and accreditation workshop in Las Vegas. team members to really see what goes on in I’m the Special Projects Go-to-Girl ParkWise, which is the parking authority for I must say I was a little bit overwhelmed the department. the City-owned garages, on-street parking and not sure I was the right person for My name is Jeri Ward and I have worked and residential parking programs and the job. I came back and jumped into the Once we got our department started in for the City of Tucson department of shuttle services. process with both feet. They did get burned the process, our director’s office gave us transportation for 20 years. During a couple of times, but it was all a good yet another challenge. We were tasked that time I have worn many hats. I Probably, my most memorable and learning experience. with trying to get the other “public works” started in the engineering division as an rewarding experience has been working departments within the city to join in administrative assistant, which really meant with APWA and the self assessment and With the complete support of our director’s our efforts. This was no small task. But to do whatever needs to be done. I am now accreditation project. office, a team of personnel that represents we did convince the water department, in the ParkWise division as a management all divisions of transportation was created. environmental services (solid waste) and analyst, which really means I do whatever So began my adventures with APWA. Once the initial team was in place, we general services to join us. The most needs to be done in the most efficient and created a brochure and posters to encourage difficult part was convincing them that we effective way possible. In September of 2002, my department other transportation employees to get knew what we were doing and that we all director came to me and said he had a involved. Our next step was to go out to needed to work together as a team if this

76 Jeri Ward

effort was to be successful. to either areas of the country and was in secretary. I am also part of the local team part of my life. I would like to personally awe at their beauty and landscape and rivers that plans and coordinates our location thank Ann Daniels, not only for her support Over the next three years we worked with water in them. (I’m from Arizona; we public works week celebration, which and confidence, but also for becoming a diligently on gathering all the information have dry rivers.) includes all the municipalities within the valued friend and mentor. we needed to ensure compliance with Not only was this an opportunity to see Tucson metro area. Our Tucson City TV the Public Works Management Practices parts of the country I had never seen, but I channel did a story on the event and used Manual. The transportation team met on a also learned a great deal that would help us me as a guide. weekly basis. Many of the elements were get through the accreditation process. The already in compliance, others needed a little best thing about these trips was the new I recently won an award from the Southern work and some needed to be developed friends I made and the resources I gained. Arizona Chapter for Outstanding Public completely. Works Employee – Administration Support, These visits also gave me the confidence which is a great honor. The best thing On the department level, we held monthly that I needed to successfully lead the about the award is that my director’s office meetings to guide them and make sure they team and gain credibility with the other thought enough of me and my work to were on track. department’s staff that I could guide them nominate me. For that I will be forever the to a successful accreditation. grateful. It is because of them that I am In the middle of the process, Steve Pageau, what I am today. my deputy director and the program It worked—in May of 2006 the City of manager for this process, and I were asked if Tucson Departments of transportation, Just last month I was asked to be in one of we would be interested in being trained to general services, environmental services several commercials put together by our be part of the accreditation site evaluation and water completed our site visit with department that focus on bicycle safety. I team. So of course, we both agreed and 99% “fully compliant” elements and were was the woman driver that hit the cyclist. went to Las Vegas for training as site recommended for accreditation. What a great experience it was for me. All evaluators. Wow, another challenge (and of these doors have been opened up to me another trip to Vegas)! But my experience with APWA doesn’t mainly because of the work and exposure end there. I am still part the of the site that I have been given through my work I was thrilled when I was asked to attend evaluation team. On a local level, I have with APWA. my first site evaluation in Vancouver, gotten involved with the Southern Arizona Washington. My second site evaluation was Chapter of the American Public Works Public works and the American Public in Alexandria, Virginia. I had never been Association where I currently serve as Works Association will always be a huge

77 Tracy L. Warner, P.E. Municipal Engineer •City of Ames, Iowa

that they wanted to be an accounted, but became aware of a job opening at the City Fortunately, the City of Ames is very for me it solidified my desire to become a of Ames (population of 52,319 and home innovative and works closely with ISU to professional engineer. My next step was of ISU). I came home late one evening try newer design/construction approaches to go to Iowa State University (ISU) for a after inspecting a construction project in to projects. bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. northeast Iowa to find a voice message stating that there was a job opening for a In 2005, following a promotion within Being a female engineering student at Civil Engineer II at the City of Ames, that our department, I interviewed for and ISU did not feel uncomfortable for me. they would like for me to apply, and that received a promotion to municipal Besides being around a few other female applications were due by 5:00 PM the next engineer. The municipal engineer is civil engineering students, I also had the day. It just happened that my work in the head of the engineering division support of my older sister who was a few the private consulting world had made an within the public works department. This years ahead of me in Chemical Engineering. impression on someone who had passed my promotion meant going from supervising Though chemical engineering at ISU has name on to an engineer hiring at the City four people, to supervising over 24 people traditionally had more female students than of Ames. (including seasonal and co-op positions). Civil Engineering, the professors within all I also develop and manage the public of the engineering colleges seemed to be Being faced with a short time to decide, I works engineering portion of the capital Everyday I Learn Something New supportive of diversity. Having observed completed the application and determined improvement plan and operating budgets. several of my father’s daily tasks, I also that I would think more about whether I am the first female municipal engineering Growing up with a father who is a chose to earn a minor in General Business to switch to the public sector work later. for the City of Ames. professional (civil) engineer in private while attending ISU where I graduated in Following a typical interview process and practice, I spent quite a bit of time 1997. I have later found this invaluable to being offered the position, I made the very As you can probably imagine, some looking at public infrastructure. I can still advancement in my professional career. hard decision to go to work for the public employees have adapted quicker than remember the time during high school works department at the City of Ames. As others to having a 32-year old female when he showed and explained to me why The first six years of my engineering career the civil engineer II, I was in charge of supervisor. I have tried to get to know the roadway pavement had failed. I was were spent in private consulting. Three design for all capital improvement plan individual personalities, so I can adapt my fortunate enough to work for him during and a half of those years were spent in projects as well as reviewing site plans and communications accordingly. At times several summers throughout high school, the Washington, D.C., area working on plats for local development. This ended this has been a challenge. I cannot stress which mostly included hand drafting and industrial warehouse land development up being a great opportunity for a young enough how important teamwork is and copying blueprints. For some people this projects. In 2003, after having moved professional engineer, as I was able to that every day I learn something new. The experience would have clarified for them back to Iowa a couple of years before, I work on a very diverse array of projects. part I enjoy most about my position is

78 Tracy L. Warner, P.E.

that there are always multiple solutions/ approaches to projects and our team has constructive discussions to come up with a design or construction technique that best fits the situation. The range of experience and personalities that exists within my work division makes us a strong team.

During my time as municipal engineer, I have recruited to replace each leader of my four workgroups (design, construction, traffic, and GIS) due to a promotion, restructuring, a resignation, and a retirement. As most employers are encountering (at least in the Midwest), recruitment is a challenge due to a shortage of applicants for most positions. Recruiting the right fit for the team is an equal challenge. The City of Ames is continually adapting our recruiting methods and interviewing processes to overcome some of these challenges.

Change is inevitable.

79 Judy Workman, C.E.M. Fleet Manager • City of Westminster, Colorado

and public works functions. The public The City of Westminster offered me female in the room, a gentleman walked works director hired me away from the the next set of challenges including the up to me and asked if I would be willing to Commissioner’s office and after I worked for replacement of fuel tanks, upgrades to the take minutes of the meeting. After politely him for two years he formed a fleet division. shop needed for the mechanics to do their smiling I said certainly but then paused and Two years later the new fleet manager best in diagnosing repairs, developing an asked him if he would mind taking over for hired me as an assistant, and that began a efficient parts room and being accountable me for the presentation. His face grew red fascinating future in the field of fleet. to the customers we serve for the work with embarrassment, and he began to smile we do. Once again the appeal for me of and said, “Never mind, I am sure someone The fleet operations change everyday in working for Westminster was the dedicated here can make the time.” He then began areas such as preventive maintenance, people and staff. introductions for my presentation and repair work, parts procurement, billing shared with the audience that he was taking reports, accident and warranty tracking, The background above has led me to minutes with a wink and a smile. To this requirements of tracking fuel and be involved in the APWA Certification day we are the best of friends and share lots environmental compliance. The appeal programs, Fleet Technical Committee, of information about our fleet operations. of working to make changes happen for Leadership seminars and began to force the County or City was exciting to watch. me to grow as a person to be able to talk in A legacy of helpfulness and encouragement Leaving a Legacy of Helpfulness and In the case of the City of Greeley, the front of small and large groups. The people for me is important. If making a difference Encouragement challenge was to bring an operation back you meet and friendships you form are a in one person’s life in a day is possible, it is to the City that had been privatized. The part of a wonderful career. a great reward and we should all strive to do As a youngster growing up in a rural town, ability to share in the pride of caring for so! Happy trails, and remember a smile is thoughts of being a fashion designer, City vehicles with City employees made the The passion for Fleet operations has given great to give and better to receive! interior decorator or working in some field job very rewarding. Watching staff grow me the opportunity to help others grow in of art were foremost in my mind. Never and take ownership of their work and being the profession and make many new friends did I look in the mirror as a child and say, dedicated to serving the City in the most in a career that has opened the door to a “I want to be a fleet manager when I grow responsive and cost effective manner was once primarily male-dominated field. up!” One of my first jobs was as a deputy truly an inspiration. The hard work of a county clerk to the county commissioners great staff bringing a shop back to life after A particularly funny circumstance introducing me to the public works being vacated for several years was amazing. happened during the beginning of my arena. The hearings on budget were very Truly the staff is what makes a difference! career. I entered a room to set up for a focused on dollars for replacement vehicles presentation and since I was the only

80 Voices from a Supportive Agency – Tempe, Arizona

81 Jennifer L. Adams, LCSW Deputy Public Works Manager •City of Tempe, Arizona

After I completed my BSW, I moved to At the same time, in 1992, I became could contribute to promoting positive Tempe, Arizona to pursue my Masters interested and was elected to the Tempe change in the public works department. I degree in Social Work from Arizona State Employees Council (TEC) which was a accepted with some reservations. It was University. My master’s training focused on group of line level employees, throughout a step outside my comfort zone, yet the becoming a marriage and family therapist. the city, that met with management to best career decision I have ever made. I As part of the master’s training, one is try and improve working conditions. I already knew many of my public works required to complete internships. During will never forget my first meeting walking colleagues from my TEC experience and the second year of my master’s program, into council chambers and realizing I was had also gained a global perspective of the I was offered an internship as a marriage the only woman present. I was met with department’s organizational culture. and family therapist for the City of Tempe. skeptical stares. When I first became part After my internship was completed, I of the TEC, it quickly became apparent When I first arrived, I observed the accepted a part-time position with the city that some of the employees attended only management team being completely and six months later was promoted to a to complain about working conditions overrun by employee issues they full-time social services counselor. After and felt helpless to effectuate change. had inherited. They were trying to completing eight years as a marriage and This was difficult for me because I was a manage a department with over 300 family therapist, I had an opportunity to solution-focused therapist. I was trained employees comprised of parks, custodial, A Rewarding Career Shift become a diversion counselor for first-time to look at the solutions to a situation, not transportation, facilities, engineering, misdemeanor offenders. After five years, just problems. I decided to volunteer for streets, traffic operations and solid waste My career has had many twists and our division started accepting probationers committees and began to work on making with an annual budget of over $61.5 turns before I landed in the public works whose past convictions included rape and positive changes. million dollars. These managers, whose profession. I graduated from the University murder. These probationers had completed backgrounds were in engineering and of Nebraska in 1987 with a bachelor’s their original sentence and had now been After eight years of service, I was elected public administration, were spending the degree in social work. The BSW provides convicted of a misdemeanor. Soon after, president and served for two consecutive vast majority of their time on personnel a broad range of training in organizational I determined that I did not enjoy working years. My TEC activities were a stepping issues. Shortly after my arrival, I assumed management as one need to be prepared to with this section of the population. Because stone to my current position. In 2003, responsibility for all personnel issues in manage an agency upon graduation. This I was ready to use my organizational the city manager approached me about the department. At the same time, safe training afforded me some of the skills management skills, I began looking for a transferring to the public works department. havens had been recently established in the required for my current role as Deputy change. The department was having some employee city and I became a safe haven for public Public Works Manager for the City of relations problems and felt my TEC works given my clinical background. It Tempe. experience and counseling background was a perfect fit because the employees

82 Jennifer L. Adams, LCSW

knew me as an employee advocate and of jealousy, envy and rivalry that plague management believed that I could help women’s relationships with each other. facilitate a healthier and a more productive According to Ms. Barash’s research, women work environment. So, that became my have always been competitive toward each commitment to public works. other–the best husband, the best house, and the best vacations. She believes that such My new role inspired me to continue with competitiveness has now seeped into the my education, so I became certified as a work environment. Barash explains that mediator and also obtained certification the most important thing women can do as a professional life coach. In addition, I to combat jealousy and envy is to mentor also recognized that more human resources other women. training would be helpful, so I pursued a certification in Public Sector Human One of the steps I have taken to combat Resources management. My experience the challenges Ms. Barash described overall has been rewarding and positive, was to become part of the mentorship but it is sad to say that my greatest program within the City of Tempe. My challenge has been reactions from other hope is that I can help nurture and women. I read an article a year ago on the promote female networking within the local newspaper website that helped me city and on a larger scale as well. To understand the female dynamics more that end, I became active on a local and clearly. Christina Vanoverbeke, from national level by volunteering to chair the the Tribune, wrote a book review entitled women’s subcommittee of the diversity “Author explores complex feminine steering committee for APWA. It has been relationships,” based on Susan Shapiro an extremely rewarding and beneficial Barash’s Tripping the Prom Queen: The Truth networking opportunity that I would about Women and Rivalry. As a basis for her encourage other women to participate in. book, Ms. Barash interviewed more than Please consider participating in your local 500 women of different ages, ethnicities, and national APWA diversity committees. and socioeconomic backgrounds. She You will be happy you did! found that she repeatedly encountered ideas

83 Jan Hort Senior Management Assistant • Tempe, Arizona

women earned were in engineering or business value that is lost when an integral public works departments recognized that construction studies and 40% in business. diverse portion of the workforce abilities unless the culture as a whole is taken into The word “community” is an old word are not tapped. Correlation of statistics account and a series of processes adopted from the Indo-European language meaning does not address cause. However, the fact which allows continuous learning to occur “exchange, shared by all”; the City of is that an employee community consisting in full force, organizational learning is likely Tempe public works department is an of talented men and women representing to be thwarted. extension of the community. Therefore, to many backgrounds, cultures and social accomplish their vision of “Many Hands, perspectives is best equipped to anticipate Facing the truth was the single most Many Talents, One Purpose” they needed and meet the needs and expectations of an important and first step management to adequately represent the citizen base in increasingly diversified community which it needed to take in order to build a creative order for an optimum community driven services. and dynamic organization capable of sharing of vision to take place. revitalizing itself. It was absolutely essential Cause lies within the culture, and these to change the culture before development In 2002, Jamieson and Gutierrez presented cultures needed to be addressed to effect a of abilities could take place. The a daunting report to the City of Tempe change. A 2005 report by the committee department needed to build a culture which organization. More than 30 years after the on equal opportunities for women and would compliment the community as a Women in Public Works – The passage of the Civil Rights Act, in which men found that many women were whole–a culture in which employees have Untapped Source gender was added to the list of protected overqualified for the work they did, women ownership, know exactly what to do so that groups, whom the Act was meant to serve, were often paid less than men for work of their work will have a positive effect on The City of Tempe is a diversified disparity still exists. That perception of equal value, the higher the post, the less the bottom line, and where anyone in the community located in Maricopa County in disparity existed in the City of Tempe likely a women–even one more qualified organization could rise through the ranks the heart of the metropolitan Phoenix area. workforce. Why was this information than her male counterparts–was to get and is strongly encouraged to do so. The City cultivates a unique diversified important to the City as an operation of it; women are excluded from informal urban environment. With a population the community? For over 30 years, various networks and channels of communication; A free flowing, effective, and open of more than 165,000 people, 40% have a preference programs have been put into and women were overlooked because of communication is critical. When people bachelor’s degree or better. An estimated place to address the numerous documented stereotyping and misguided preconceptions are dominated by fear or are discouraged, 50% or these are women. Arizona State statistics of structural, social and cultural of women’s roles and abilities, commitment as reported by women, they certainly don’t University located in Tempe reports that of barriers facing women in the workforce; and leadership style. All this leads to think well, their decisions are poor; and the degrees conferred in 2006, 54% were these programs have met with little success. discouraged workers. Therefore, in order to they certainly do not have a picture of awarded to women; 42% of the degrees The programs do not address the true tap into the abilities of all employees, the where the community is headed. There

84 Jan Hort

is a tendency to down-shift thinking fellow employees at any time. Training on hiring process that is diversified and non- They provide information at high schools, and creativity skills to protect against coaching and participatory management biased. This includes not only inclusion of colleges, fairs, and professional and business repercussions or further discouragement. is now required of all supervisors on up women in the interview process, but also associations in the hopes of attracting a Many management experts agree that with line staff encouraged to attend with in the recruitment process to assure a broad diverse employee base. Internships are also women have a different perspective and periodic updates. diverse pool of candidates in which women available for high school and college level often bring creativity and innovation. would not be discouraged from applying. students to give them the opportunity to There is also growing evidence that diversity There are strong reasons to believe that The Tempe public works department make choices that deviate from cultural in management, not just among rank and ensuring of opportunities, coupled with encourages employees to take advantage of preconceptions that limit women’s choices, file boosts profits. It would stand to reason women’s changing preferences, account training and development opportunities as opportunities and the use of their abilities. that communities could also benefit from for improvement of women’s positions well as to participate in a $5,000 per year Tempe is looking for balance so that when improvements to the “bottom line.” To in the labor market. In 1992, 91% of tuition reimbursement in order to meet job prospective employees look at the Tempe, address this issue, true open door policies engineering and 70% of bachelor’s degrees requirements. Mentoring and cross-training they can see the rich diversity of our team. by all managers and supervisors were and higher were conferred to men. This is is encouraged across the various divisions of The bottom line is finding the best person implemented. Employee work groups no longer the case. Those numbers have the public works department. for the job, and most women aren’t looking are formed and reformed to develop new greatly increased to more equitable levels for handouts as the number of degrees and organizational structures that more closely between men and women. Yet federal Recruitment and retention of certifications held by women attest to. align with the new culture. New structures statistics continue to report that women’s knowledgeable and capable employees— put to use diverse creativity as changes qualifications are overlooked. The changes men and women—continues to be an issue In 2002, when Jamieson and Gutierrez occur that necessitate the City to realign and choices women are making about their for almost every company in the United presented their report to council, 12% of to meet ever-changing needs. Our “360” education—fields of study and degrees States. One of the biggest challenges that the public works engineer division staff meetings at all levels of the organization pursued—bode well for future performance, the department faces now and in the future holding non-clerical engineering positions are now part of the scene as a standard but only if the City’s culture can eliminate is the competition among all employers for were women. Today, 45% of the positions way of doing business. Monthly meetings any bias perception and take advantage of the most qualified individuals, especially held in the engineering division as with the various employee groups are held, the knowledge that is now readily available. in light of what many say is an impeding engineering contract specialists, engineering including cross-divisional group meetings Eliminating the perception of a “Good shortage of talent for management ranks in technicians, engineering associates and such as administrative assistants and policy Old Boy Network” to discourage women the years ahead. Their ability to maintain civil engineers are held by women. And advisory staff members. Recognition applicants is a process that the Tempe their level of services depends on it. So strides continue to be made throughout the programs designed by the staff are in public works department strives for. This the public works department hit the divisions of the public works. Establishing use and not just by management—line is addressed by developing, implementing road. Wherever recruitment is possible, and maintaining a diverse culture is level staff can recognize and reward their and maintaining a fair and equitable representatives of public works are there. a continuous process, but the City of

85 Jan Hort

Tempe public works management remains committed to the challenges of today to meet tomorrow’s needs.

86 Shelly Seyler Traffic Engineer• Transportation Division •City of Tempe, Arizona

Tempe Public Works Department. projects as well as given opportunities to a barricade plan on the route they drive contribute to a city that is growing and daily. One of the unique challenges we A large part of where I am today is linked seeing its own challenges. I have also seen have faced as a traffic engineering section to how I was raised and the effort and the personal benefits of working in the is that many of the policies and procedures support my parents gave me as I pursued public sector and have received support used by the section have been passed on my education. I grew up in a small town in beyond imagination, which has helped me through memory rather than written down. Oregon, and my parents both worked and in balancing my work life with my personal With the retirement of several key staff knew the advantages of obtaining a college life while raising three children with my members, it has been my goal to move in education. They pushed my brothers and husband. I have flexibility in my life to the opposite direction by creating a manual sister and I to strive and challenge ourselves stay involved with school activities and to of procedures so that as we bring on new in finding a career that we would be happy support my children as they continue to people, we are able to provide them with with and that challenged us personally and grow. People often ask me “how I do it,” the basic tools and a starting point from professionally. I still remember my mom raise three children and have a full time which they can learn. saying to me that she would love to have job as a professional engineer. I attribute it been an architect, but that was not accepted to the support I receive from my husband When I think about the reasons why I in her “day.” She also knew my love of as well as the city and managers I work for love my job, I know it is linked to the My Story math and science, digging in the dirt, and within the public works department. opportunities I have been given and my playing outside and was the first to tell me ability to directly impact people’s lives on My career in pubic works began in 1993 she thought I should be a civil engineer. As the traffic engineer for the City of a daily basis. I enjoy coming to work and when I obtained an internship with the With that, I entered the honors engineering Tempe, I am responsible for overseeing the opportunity I have to interact with City of Portland, Oregon, while continuing program that was offered by the local the day-to-day operations of the traffic people who have the same passion for their my college education. Upon completing community college and universities and engineering section. We do everything job as I do. I also have the opportunity my degree, I worked for a short time in graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil from guiding city crews on where to place to speak with college students about the the private sector as a structural engineer engineering. striping on Tempe’s streets, to designing opportunities available with a career in and realized my goals and aspirations were traffic signals, and working with residents civil engineering and within the public more geared toward the public sector and I did not know until I started in public on neighborhood quality of life issues. sector environment. The city recognizes returned to the City of Portland. In 2000, works the wonderful opportunities I would Everything we do day-to-day impacts the importance of reaching out early to my husband and I made a decision to be given, nor did I realize that I would be our residents in a personal way, whether students at the high school level and relocate to Arizona where I continued my where I am today professionally. I have it’s working with them to solve speeding the middle school level. The sooner we career in transportation with the City of been challenged with new and exciting and cut-through concerns or approving reach them, the sooner we can show them

87 Shelly Seyler

what an interesting and exciting field civil engineering can be, and how the specialization in traffic engineering opens up a whole new level of opportunity.

88 Wendy L. Springborn-Pitman, MBA Administrative Assistant •Public Works Department •City of Tempe, Arizona

struggles and prejudices that women must women within the department—two in business administration. With those endure to prove themselves equal. deputy managers, the traffic engineer, degrees and my thirst for knowledge, I and the streets superintendent to name will be targeting positions where I can I did not have a teacher, a counselor a few. I have been most impressed with utilize and build upon my current skills or mentor that helped push me in this their knowledge and dedication to their and further my education in contracts, direction. I was drawn to the work of a profession and how accepted they are. motivating people, streamlining processes, paramedic for the need to help people and By no means do I feel that animosity and building consensus, just to name a few. the excitement of the job. I fell into the toward women and minorities is totally I enjoy being involved in both intra- and opportunity for a position within public extinguished within the city; however, I interdepartmental task groups where we, works at the City of Tempe, Arizona, for have been overwhelmed by the lengths this as a collective, can work toward reforming the need to get back into the job market. City goes through to be fair and equitable. processes to provide better services to each In fact, when I first started with this other and our community. department, I could not have told you what As I embark on this new career, I have was involved with public works. I knew I experienced interest, by my fellow had to learn a lot and was eager to do so. employees (both men and women), in I quickly discovered that there were not what tools I can bring to the table. I have My Retirement Career many women within the department, as a not been dismissed because I am a woman. whole, so I felt right at home. I was used They are interested in my life experiences My involvement within the public works to those odds. I have started in an entry in the private sector and what ideas can arena has only recently begun–just over level position because the City takes pride be incorporated into the public sector. one year. After an early retirement in 1998 in “promoting from within.” I admire that The City of Tempe and the department of and helping my husband with our own philosophy because it gives individuals a public works embrace diversity and look for business, I decided I needed to “stretch career path to strive for and the knowledge opportunities where women and minorities my brain” much more than what I was that there are ways to move forward. can excel. doing, so I went back to work full time in the public sector for a change. I had been However, I must admit that I have been My goals for the future are simple at involved in another male-dominated field more than pleasantly surprised at the this point. I wish to further my career for my first career–a certified emergency acceptance of women in my second “male- path within public works with a focus paramedic for a private ambulance dominated” career with the public works on administration. I have a bachelor company, so I was familiar with the department. There are many high ranking of arts in management and a master’s

89 Christine Warren, P.E. Senior Civil Engineer • Transportation Systems, Public Works Department •City of Tempe, Arizona

researching various careers, I came across The first organization (City of Renton, I conducted a major corridor study of the civil engineering discipline. From what Washington) allowed me to do basic traffic Interstate 25 in Pueblo, Colorado. It was I understood, civil engineers were able to engineering tasks, such as rephasing traffic an exciting project where through my work on all sorts of projects that provided signals, conducting sight distance and efforts, I helped establish a more cost- for the betterment of the public at-large (i.e. signal warrant analyses, speed studies and effective and accurate traffic simulation design and construction of public works, working with automatic traffic counters. analysis process. Through computer such as bridges or dams, and other large The second organization (Washington State simulations we were able to determine facilities). This career seemed to provide Department of Transportation) allowed me the best corridor alternatives and were exactly what I was looking for—challenging to work in the traffic systems management able to gain stakeholder consensus for the projects that would make a difference in center. There I was able to work on flow improvements. The acceptance of this the lives of others. So, I decided that I was operation including ramp metering, project allowed an outdated, 42-year-old off to college to earn my civil engineering accident verification and some media highway network to become modernized degree. communication. I also had a chance to and helped to improve the mobility of conduct independent research projects. thousands of residents. During my college education at the University of Washington, I discovered After graduation, my husband and I Now I have the chance to turn my energies Traffic Engineering - A Surprise Turn that there was more to civil engineering relocated to Tempe where I began my full- toward making the City of Tempe a resident than just designing and constructing large time career with a private engineering firm. and visitor friendly experience. We are a As a child, I always excelled in math and facilities. The one area that appealed to me This company gave me the opportunity city that neighbors Phoenix to the east with science classes. It seemed that I just had a most was transportation and specifically, to work on state, county and city projects a population of 165,000. The amount of natural disposition for all things technical. traffic engineering. I think it was the throughout the western United States with traffic that passes through Tempe can be Perhaps it was because my father was an constantly changing nature of traffic and a focus on transportation studies and traffic astounding. Our traffic not only includes engineer who approached every situation the fact that every person is affected in their engineering projects. Through computer residents and those who work in the logically and analytically. I was not sure daily lives by traffic that appealed to me simulations, I had the prospect of driving Tempe, but vehicles traveling through to of what I wanted to be when I “grew-up,” most and cemented the fact that I would highways that were not even been built yet. access one of the neighboring communities but I knew it had to be challenging and one day become a traffic engineer. Through these simulations I was able to that surrounds us. Moreover, Tempe is ever-changing or I would get bored. While help determine whether proposed designs home to Arizona State University (ASU), in high school I took a basic engineering While at college I had the opportunity for projects would operate safely and a commuter campus, which means many class. One of the requirements of the class to work for two government agencies efficiently once completed. of the students commute to Tempe from was to conduct a career search. While I was as an intern in the transportation field. other communities. On any given day, we

90 Christine Warren, P.E.

see approximately 30,000 cars and 19,000 bicycles accessing the campus. Basically, we are moving a small city in and out of Tempe every day—that becomes a challenge I relish.

I am currently a senior civil engineer in the transportation division of the public works department. I have been with the City since 2004, and my focus is in traffic signal timing. It was once written about me that “I decide when drivers in Tempe stop and when they go.” It may sound pretty simplistic, but I must continue to balance the competing interests of businesses, pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers, bus transit and public officials.

I enjoy working in this industry very much and look forward to what the future has to hold. Our community is becoming very close to finishing our light rail project, which will bring a whole new dynamic of traffic control to my plate. The challenge will be very welcomed and rewarding to bring about.

91 Perspectives on Issues in the Public Works Arena

92 Diane Linderman, P.E. Director, Urban Infrastructure & Development • Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. •Richmond, Virginia

The great news about public works is the facade. Don’t be ashamed to let them see their neighborhoods or the attraction of diversity of its membership. Having led a your weaknesses. You want to depend illegal substances. Work can be a safe haven department of 600 employees, I can tell you on them to help you. Show, in word for many. with a lot of confidence that no two people and in practice, that you respect them as were alike. The education range spanned individuals and respect the work they do. Meet them, get to know them, talk to from not being able to read to Ph.Ds. The The refuse collector is just as important to them about subjects they know. This may diversity was incredible–employees from accomplishing your goals as the engineer. require you to come out of your comfort all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicities. They all need to realize their role in the zone. Read the sports page if you don’t I believe that your ability to lead such a mission of public works and the importance already. Be prepared to start an informal diverse organization is contingent on the of their efforts in accomplishing the conversation “How about those Redskins!” employee’s ability to trust you as a leader. mission. Meet them at their worksite for breakfast. After a while, they will feel comfortable Trust is not necessarily about being liked, My being a female has never gotten in the in letting you know what might not be although that is a nice by product if it way of my goal to be the best leader I could going well, allowing you to make informed happens. It is the ability of the employee to be. Maybe I have been lucky but hopefully decisions about workplace environments or realize what your core values are (hopefully it isn’t about luck. Hopefully it is all about equipment. It’s WHO, Not WHAT! you have communicated them) and trust your ability to earn the trust of those you that the decisions you make are based on lead. I hope that sharing ideas of things I always politely told my employees to call Being a leader in public works isn’t just those values. I have learned that there are that worked for me will inspire you to me by my first name. I felt that helped about intellectual knowledge. Most of two kinds of people–those who trust you think of ways to earn your employees’ trust, to put me on the same plane. However, us went to college and got a degree in from the start and those where trust needs whether you have 600 or 2. there were folks who were not comfortable engineering or business or something to be earned. I am the first kind. You can doing that–and that is okay. Never force totally unrelated and came to the field with get burned, but I believe the rewards are far Know Your Employees an employee to change their value of a whole lot of book sense. What I have greater than the risk! Don’t turn trust into Because of the diversity of backgrounds, respect. Ask them how they would like to discovered in my 25-year career is that book a popularity contest because those decisions there isn’t a one size fits all. Understand the be addressed. sense only takes you so far. It is about the can often come back to haunt you. challenges of their jobs and their personal relationships you create with the people lives. Know that some of your employees Understand Their Work Environment you lead. So how do you earn your employees’ are struggling to make ends meet, raise Whether it is in an office or in the field, trust? First and foremost, be yourself. a family, maybe raise a son or daughter’s you cannot make good decisions if you You cannot consistently maintain a fake family. Many are faced with violence in don’t understand the environment in

93 Diane Linderman, P.E.

which people work. Visit the work sites. Hanging out in “jail” hoping folks will pay My advice for being a successful public Sometimes a coat of paint can make a big money to get me out (in support of the works leader–be yourself, communicate and difference in employees’ attitudes toward United College Negro Fund) isn’t the way I uphold your values in word and behavior, their job. would chose to spend my time. But, it was and enjoy. It isn’t about what you are; it is all in fun and shows your willingness to toss about who you are. Don’t let the “what” I created a program during National Public away your pride for fun. ever get in the way. Works Week where all managers where required to spend a day working in the It doesn’t even have to be planned. field. We picked our assignments out of Spontaneous activities can often have more a hat and reported to the supervisor on impact than a planned event. Having a 3 “Turnaround” day. I can’t tell you how p.m. line dance break in the hallway can do much I learned from painting the crosswalk a lot to heighten spirits, particularly during or holding the survey rod, or riding with stressful times. Participate–don’t just watch. the pothole crew. It was only one day a year but it was worth every second in my I feel blessed to have had the opportunity continuing effort to reach out and earn the to have led a dynamic public works trust of the employees. organization. It wasn’t always easy. I do believe that the trust I earned from others Have Fun! helped to make the difficult times less Life is too short to work 8-10 hours a day difficult. and not have fun. Public works employees work hard and deserve the opportunity I will never forget the time when I was to have fun. Annual picnics are a good getting ready to hold a pre-disciplinary way to get everyone together to celebrate hearing for a field employee. The employee the successes of the department. Don’t brought a community activist to participate be afraid to sacrifice your pride for the in the hearing, which was against my good of the whole. Sitting in the dunking policy. I told the activist that she would not booth for 15 minutes hoping that no one be allowed in the hearing, and her response will hit the target (that didn’t happen!) is to me was “I trust you and know you will be not something I would want to do again. fair.” I can’t think of a higher compliment.

94 Mary Meloy Natural Resource Manager •David Evans and Associates •Bend, Oregon

waste removal. They also made sure I started in the work place employers were Some employers were merely responding that waste areas were safe to use and that worried about keeping the authority and to requirements and meeting minimum garbage was buried, burned or composted. control to which men were accustomed. “quotas.” Even so, many agencies and Yes, the chores were shared by the family Employers were being required to hire companies adopted personnel policies unit, but I believe that women had the minorities as part of Affirmative Action, that clearly took away overt or obvious primary responsibility to make sure that and the Equal Rights Amendment was discriminatory practices. However, these things were done, and that they were enjoying a rebirth. There was a huge shift individual managers and supervisors were safe for their families and other families in in employer’s sensitivity to gender, race faced with the realities of hiring women the community. and...there was fear that changes would for jobs that had primarily been occupied erode the power and status the white males by men. This came with a set of new I feel fortunate to have joined the work had enjoyed. challenges such as keeping the existing force in the 1970s. Somehow, I had already workforce productive, while ensuring that received my ancestral “basic training.” The 1970s was a decade of the unofficial, newly hired women were successful in Before I could even finish a one-year but real, melding of the Equal Rights their new jobs. Some existing workers fell drafting program, I had lots of job offers. Amendment and affirmative action. by the wayside and were left to grumble at When I started, most supervisors, professors Affirmative action was first adopted by the change in the gender, racial and sexual We’re Here To Stay! and managers in public works and civil the federal government and extended to orientation of their new co-workers. engineering were men. It was rare to see all federal government contracts. During The topic of women in public works a woman in a top position, and many the same time period, the ERA was flying None of these concepts was new. Many and the professional workforce is often a departments were made up strictly of men. high and was sure to be passed at any men and women had recognized the need controversial issue with a rich and colorful In the 1960s colossal changes took place. time. Employers saw that it was to their for equity in the work place, and had history. With the American Public Works Because of the Equal Rights Amendment advantage to have a larger pool of qualified worked tirelessly to make changes that Association, “Women in Public Works” and affirmative action program, employers workers from which to draw, and things opened up opportunities to women. is still a phrase that attracts attention. I and employees were learning more about would be less litigious if they followed the This made working in engineering believe that women have been in “public discrimination in the work place. Many principles of the ERA along with the rules of and public works a dream come true works” even before it was called anything careers were thought of as “a man’s job” Affirmative Action. for someone like me. I had a limited as organized as public works. As part of or that hiring a woman might take away a education, but I had the initiative to excel the family unit, women made sure that man’s job. We know that the concept of in engineering and public works. The their families had water for multiple uses: a woman working full time along side a truth is that I got a lot of help from men in drinking, cooking, washing, bathing, and man is not a new concept. However, when the work place. There weren’t very many

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women that were in a position to help me. of them than they felt their gender was Like the 19th Amendment before it, the As you can see, the struggles of the ERA and Men assisted me in “learning the ropes” at capable of. ERA barreled out of Congress, getting equal pay for equal work were caught up a new job, men trained me in technical on- 22 of the necessary 38 state ratifications in the deployment of the first Affirmative the-job skills, and men became my mentors. Freedom from legal sex discrimination, in the first year. But the pace slowed as Action Plan. Even though affirmative Alice Paul believed, required an Equal opposition began to organize – only eight action was designed to attack racial A Brief History of Affirmative Action Rights Amendment that affirmed the ratifications in 1973, three in 1974, one in discrimination, it had a profound affect on and Equal Rights Amendment equal application of the Constitution 1975, and none in 1976. Arguments by gender, sexual orientation and other social To set the stage for when I entered the work to all citizens. In 1923, in Seneca Falls, ERA opponents were similar to those posed aspects that needed to be recognized and force, I have distilled into a few paragraphs New York, for the celebration of the 75th during the ratification of women’s right to acknowledged, apart from a person’s job the monumental effort that had been going anniversary of the 1848 Woman’s Rights vote. performance. on in the United States since the beginning Convention, she introduced the “Lucretia of colonization. Mott Amendment,” which read: “Men and Alice Paul died in 1977. Like Elizabeth Cady President John F. Kennedy first introduced women shall have equal rights throughout Stanton and Susan B. Anthony before her, affirmative action in 1961 as a method of In 1776, Abigail Adams wrote to her the United States and every place subject Paul never saw the Constitution amended addressing discrimination in spite if civil husband John, “In the new code of laws, to its jurisdiction.” The amendment was to include the equality of rights she had rights laws and constitutional guarantees. remember the ladies and do not put such introduced in every session of Congress worked for all her life. Since President Kennedy was assassinated, unlimited power into the hands of the until it passed in 1972. It reads, in part, it was further developed and enforced for husbands.”1 I believe I would have liked “Equality of rights under the law shall not The Equal Rights Amendment was the first time by President Lyndon Johnson. her! be denied or abridged by the United States reintroduced in Congress on July 14, Focusing on education and jobs, affirmative or by any state on account of sex.” 1982 and has been before every session action policies required that active measures In 1919, the 19th Amendment affirming of Congress since that time. In the 107th be taken to ensure that blacks and other women’s right to vote, rolled out of In the 1960s, over a century after the fight Congress (2001 - 2002), it has been minorities had the same opportunities Congress, getting more than half the to end slavery fostered the first wave of the introduced as S.J.Res. 10 (chief sponsor: for promotions, salary increases, career ratifications it needed in the first year. Then women’s rights movement, the civil rights Sen. Edward Kennedy, MA) and H.J.Res. advancement, school admission, it ran into stiff opposition from states’ battles of the decade provided an impetus 40 (chief sponsor: Rep. Carolyn Maloney, scholarships and financial aid that had been rights advocates, the liquor lobby, business for the second wave. Women organized NY). Success in putting the ERA into the the nearly exclusive province of whites. interests against higher wages for women, to demand their birthright as citizens and Constitution via this process would require and a number of women themselves, who persons, and the Equal Rights Amendment, passage by a two-thirds majority in each believed claims that the amendment would rather than the right to vote, became the house of Congress and ratification by 38 threaten the family and require more central symbol of the struggle. states.

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Conclusion 1 Letter, April 14, 1776 (in Alice S. Rossi, The What brazenly exciting times these were! Feminist Papers: From Adams to de Beauvoir, With very little formal education, I was New York: Columbia University Press, 1973). able to exceed my personal expectations by getting help from managers, teachers, crew leaders and many more individuals, as I climbed a very steep ladder from technical trainee to public works director for several wonderful cities in Oregon.

Some things have definitely changed over the years. Competition is great for the top jobs at this time. System security and technology play a big role in how public works operates today. It’s a different but exciting game, but the same opportunities exist if we are willing to be “at the top of our game,” and learn from those who have gone before us, with integrity and drive, to lead the way for all women to pursue their career dreams. We hire the most qualified individuals regardless of gender, race or sexual orientation. professional public works organizations no longer wonder, behind closed doors, “Can a woman do the job”? There are fine examples of women in all aspects of public works. All we need to do is look around us, walk to the next office, go out to a construction project, or find a maintenance crew. Women are here and we are here to stay. 97