RECENT EVENTS & ENGAGEMENTS
44th Annual HACIA Awards Banquet (March 7th)
GMA was proud to attend the 44th Annual HACIA Awards Banquet on March 7th with Guest Speaker Governor JB Pritzker who received the Public Service Leadership Award. Our friends and our industry counterparts at Toro Construction received the General Contractor of the Year Award. —- With the continued commitment, dedication and hard work of all of GMA, next year is our year.
NPHM A Place Called Home Gala (April 18th)
This exciting fundraiser supported and celebrated the museum as they are the cusp of opening the long-awaited new building. The National Public Housing Museum is the only museum that interprets the American experience in public housing. Their mission is to preserve, promote, and propel the right of people to a place to call home. Through groundbreaking exhibitions, programs that deploy arts and culture to explore public policy, and a growing archive of oral histories, NPHM will build understanding of housing insecurity and inspire collective solutions. GMA is proud and honored to be a part of this empowering organization – by not only building the museum – but also showing our support through sponsorship of this event.
Our very own, Terrence Hood, won the grand prize raffle of six tickets to the Bronzeville Transformation Busy Tour with Sherman “Dilla” the Chicago Historian.
WestPoint Financial Group Annual Kickoff and Recognition Celebration (March 13th)
Cornelius Griggs traveled to Nashville, Tennessee in March to present at the WestPoint Financial Group Annual Kickoff and Recognition Celebration. Cornelius’ presentation was titled Define & Achieve Excellence through your Story, an overview of his journey in life as a ward of the state in public housing, a military veteran, and now the CEO of a construction company.
PROMOTIONS
Congratulations to Tommye Nelson on her promotion to Assistant Project Manager! We recognize and appreciate your dedication to your role and to GMA.
Tommye Nelson
Assistant Project Manager
MILESTONES
Birthdays:
Sarah Morie - May 4
Paul Iannucci - May 18
Aquita Lagrone - May 25
Ron Maldonado - June 1
Ray Horlacher - June 1
Tim Anderson - June 18
PJ Suresh - June 27
Jerry Giudice - June 30
Tommye Nelson - June 30
Work Anniversaries:
Paul Iannucci - 1 year
Mike Foggie - 4 years
Jessica Andryske - 3 years
Renita Whitfield - 2 years
Jerry Giudice - 1 year
Congratulations PJ Suresh!
The GMA Family is growing! Join us in congratulating PJ Suresh who is expecting her first child, a baby boy, due in early September!
CELEBRATE WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
RECAP OF WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION WEEK (MARCH)
According to the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), women make up about 9% of the construction industry's workforce.
Women-owned construction firms have seen a 13% increase in revenue over the past 5 years, underscoring the business acumen and success of female entrepreneurs in the construction sector. Women’s participation in non-traditional trades is crucial for fostering diversity and innovation in industries traditionally dominated by men. According to recent data, women makeup 10.8 percent of construction workers in the US, signaling progress but also highlighting the need for greater inclusion and opportunities.
As we honor the remarkable achievements and contributions of women throughout history and our industry, we also want to do the same for the women of GMA!
PJ Suresh
Project Manager
What should women know about working in construction?
There is always a certain amount of prestige in construction that is awarded by just standing in front of the project upon completion which will last sustainably and a sense of pride because you know it will leave a lasting mark on your community."
Jessica Andryske
Senior Project Manager
What led you to a career in construction?
As a child I was always curious on how things were put together. I would take things apart to find out how they worked and would help my dad with odds and ends home repair. That curiosity led me into Engineering. Through intro classes to engineering I learned about the Construction Engineering branch of the department and the rest was history.
How do we ensure women continue to be represented in our industry?
Exposure and awareness. I never knew there was such a thing as Construction Engineering until that Freshman year college class. Getting into the schools early and highlighting the many career paths within construction is key ---- although the physical trades are very important and that representation needs improvement, I think it is important for young girls/women to know that physical labor / work is not the only option in Construction --- it ranges from management, supervision, legal, accounting, human resources, safety, risk management/insurance, estimating, computer graphics/design ....the list goes on of the opportunities within our industry!!
What makes you proud to work in the construction industry?
The tangible results - physical construction & lasting connections. Driving down the street and seeing all of our hard work that has paid off. Being part of teams that are working together for a common goal. The many people from vast array of areas/industries/backgrounds that become peers and friends. The network that has grown and continued crossing of paths within the industry that helps support each other.
Pictured: Multitasking at its finest! While on vacation, I couldn't miss an important meeting. At the time of the meeting was a scheduled reptile show that I was taking my daughter to. I couldn't let either down so I put in my airpods and quietly chimed in when needed. At the time of this picture, I did have people talking to me in the meeting and although there was a delay to my response I was still able to show my daughter that the alligator wasn't scary. I did apologize to the team for the delay and explained that I was busy holding an alligator - which led to laughter and having to share the picture to prove that I wasn't making it up.
Aquita Lagrone
Executive Assistant to the CEO
What makes you proud to work in the construction industry?
I'm proud to work in an industry that takes part in the building and beautification of the city that I live, and grew up in. Being in construction allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself with the impact we make by transforming communities. I have the honor of working closely with our CEO and I've learned so much about what goes into a project. It gives me a great sense of pride to know that GMA produces work that keeps on working, and giving for years to come. I've also gained a greater appreciation for the architecture all throughout Chicago because I know what it takes to bring it into fruition.
Shauna Jackson
Talent Acquisition Specialist
How do we ensure women continue to be represented in our industry?
The way we ensure women continue to be represented in this industry is by continuing to show up in spaces that challenge the status quo, diversifying their experience and portfolio in construction, and educating the next generation of young women about careers in the industry.
As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, not only am I tasked with developing and executing proactive recruitment strategies to identify and attract top talent in the Construction industry, but I also have a responsibility to ensure diversity and women representation throughout the entire organization chart at the construction company I work for. From my standpoint, the way we ensure women continue to be represented in this industry is by continuing to show up in spaces that challenge the status quo, diversifying their experience and portfolio in construction, and educating the next generation of young women about careers in the industry.
Sarah Morie
Project Executive - Preconstruction
What led you to a career in construction?
I was put in the field as an on-site architect and loved the energy and excitement of the build so I jumped to what everyone told me was the dark side and have never looked back.
Share a memorable moment/event in your career?
There are too many to pick just one, but seeing the skin of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX come to life was a great moment as it was one of the most complex projects I have worked on with an amazing group of people.
What should women know about working in construction?
You do not need to be the smartest person in the room, but your voice matters. You have something to learn from everyone on the project. Build strong relationships with your client, your architect and your trades as you will undoubtedly run into them again in this industry.
How do we ensure women continue to be represented in our industry?
Women in the industry are here to stay. I think where we are lacking are in the trades. Having the skill of a welder, an electrician or a carpenter is something that is a dying breed and incredibly valuable. The experience and artisanship needs to be taught to (and appreciated by) the next generations.
What would you tell yourself as a young girl about your future career?
Hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
What makes you proud to work in the construction industry?
I have had the privilege of working for some stellar companies and beside some incredible individuals and leaders. The people I have met and the relationships that have been built are like none other.
Tommye Nelson
Assistant Project Manager
What should women know about working in construction? What makes you proud to work in this industry?
Women should know that there will be challenges in this industry as we are making a change in a male-dominated field, but it should not be intimidating or scary. When I was in school, people would tell me to be careful and stand my ground because as a woman it would be harder for people to respect me and hear what I have to say as they may challenge my knowledge and expertise. Luckily, in my personal experience, I haven't faced any type of discrimination or undermining just for being a woman, but that is not true for everyone. I have witnessed other women experience this and my advice is to always speak with confidence and say what you mean because people will respect you if you make them respect you. Ask questions, get to know the people around you, speak with confidence, and always stand your ground. I have met so many intelligent and strong women in this field and I know that they serve as an inspiration for my career going forward; they are who I strive to be. They are heard, they are respected, and they are making a difference in the world today whether they know it or not. I am proud to work in a field that is dominated by men because it means that I am making a difference in what we've always known; I am a part of the change. It gives me confidence every day to know that I am surrounded by so many influential women. It makes me proud to be a woman and proud to work in construction and create something great despite the status quo.
Daisy Rivera
Senior Project Accountant
What makes you proud to work in the construction industry?
The Construction industry is very rewarding to be a part of when I see many projects of a community being beautified by development of a new building of any sort going up & making a difference in a community makes me always want to be part of a construction team/industry.
Rachel Robinson-Watts
Assistant Project Manager
What led you to a career in construction?
My dad used to have these tissue box building blocks that he made and my sisters and I would build whole cities in his apartment. Every week we would build new buildings, towers, bridges and houses and then he would come through like Godzilla or Darth Vader and tear them down dramatically. Ever since then I've wanted to design and build. Architecture isn't for me, but watching the construction process still takes me back to his happy little apartment on memory lane.
What would you tell yourself as a young girl about your future career?
Everyone's path is different; Don't waste your time and energy trying to compare yourself to others and funnel your efforts on achieving your goals.