What’s your story? Where are you from, and where did you grow up?
I’m actually from Payson, Utah and my grandparents raised me. I had a troubled youth, got in with the wrong friends, and went to prison for 15 months. I got out six years ago and began working a year later for Staker Parson.
I thought prison was going to hold me back. Everyone did, but then I realized that I was the only one holding me back.
What is your educational background?
I am a high school graduate with a little bit of college. After high school, I started going to school for business management, but I don’t have enough patience to sit in the classroom. It’s hard for me to sit and be patient. I thrive where I’m at because there are always new challenges, and I can use my smarts to do things, but I’m not trapped in a classroom and forced to listen to someone give a speech.
What about your work background?
I started at a young age working in a movie theater for my grandparents. Also, I worked at a gas station and the state hospital for two years as a psych tech, which was interesting and fun all at the same time. It kept you on your toes for sure. After that, I worked for Staker Parson from 2008 to the end of the season 2012. When I got out of prison in 2015, I applied at Staker Parson, but they said “no” at first. They wanted to see whether I had changed. I worked at Goff Construction, got off parole and applied at Staker Parson again in 2016.
I tell people all the time that I am the epitome of change in a lot of ways. I like to see that women are starting to show up in the construction industry. When I was at Staker Parson the first time, there were four of us. That changed during the years since 2012. Now there are several of us doing all different parts of the work: foreman, paver, roller operators and traffic control (flaggers).
How did you get involved with UAPA?
I actually got involved through the Utah branch of Women of Asphalt. I have been a part of WofA for two years. UAPA reached out to our Utah chapter and asked us to be part of it. I went to an event, and I saw Jeff Collard and Keri Dumont there. I know Jeff Collard from Staker Parson, and Kerri Dumont is a liaison between WofA and UAPA. I am just new to UAPA, but you have to start somewhere.
I thought UAPA was just something the higher-ups did. But it’s a good networking opportunity for everybody. Now that I know that, I am telling other people about it.
How did COVID-19 affect the asphalt industry?
COVID-19 was a challenge. You had to wear masks and work with 300-degree asphalt. Other than that, it only affected relationships in the office. You couldn’t go in and talk to someone in person; you had to talk by phone. Other than that, it didn’t have a huge impact on us.
How has your UAPA membership benefited you?
The networking that goes on at UAPA meetings is of great benefit to everyone. That was an eye-opener. When I learn about things I haven’t seen before, it helps with my job. What other people learn from me helps other people with their jobs. Talking to other people and learning from them gives me a good perspective about the entire industry, which is nice.
You’re a paving foreman! What’s the story behind that?
I started as a roller operator and a laborer. After I did that, I took my hiatus. Then I came back as a lead roller operator. I worked on a custom crew and a highway crew. Several foremen along the way taught me about how to measure and what you do when trucking.
My foreman was let go, and I took his spot because they needed someone who knew the crew. Next season, they had hired a couple of people, and I went back to lead roller. But I wanted to learn, and I knew I wanted to be a foreman. They taught me more things, and when another foreman position opened, they gave me the opportunity to be the foreman.
Tell us about becoming a part of Women of Asphalt leadership Team and how did you get there?
I went to a small event where there were 13 of us. We all talked, and they asked for people who would like to volunteer to start mentoring and help create a future with more women in the industry.
I talked to my management, and they said I should do it. I am afraid of speaking in public, though, so I had to think about it. I talked to my mom, who has worked for 25 years in the asphalt industry. After talking with her, I decided it would be a good opportunity, emailed them my decision, and went from there.
What is your main goal in this leadership position?
To reach out and let women know they are not alone in the industry. I also want to teach men we are a valuable asset. In the past, asphalt has been a male-dominant industry. More women are being hired now, though, and it needs to be that way.
I have found that lots of men want the women who are hired to succeed, but many women find the asphalt industry intimidating.
What would you say to other women who are thinking about the asphalt industry as a career?
Do it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t. The only one who can stop you is you.
What direction do you see the industry going in the next 5-10 years?
It’s going to go in a positive direction all the way around. The industry is improving in a lot of ways. It has become acceptable to hire more women, and the ideas in the industry are changing so much. In the past, if a woman said anything, it was ignored. Now, there’s more open communication. People in the industry are a lot nicer and more helpful.
Do you have any interesting hobbies?
I bow hunt when I have time, and I travel. I like to travel everywhere: Mazatlan, Tahoe and places in California. I’m currently planning a trip to Oregon.
Tell us about your family.
I am a single mom to an 11-year-old girl.
My grandparents raised me because I was too out of control for my parents. I was a handful. Now I have a different close relationship with my dad and my stepmom, who I call my mom.
I wouldn’t be where I am at in the industry if it wasn’t for my stepmom. She started out as a flagger for Valley Asphalt many years ago, then she became a flagger at Staker Parson, and now she is lead roller operator for a highway roller.
Do you have any additional comments you would like to make about the asphalt industry and your career?
The pay is amazing, and it has good career advancement. It is hot in the summer, but you have winters off, so you can help your children when they really need it. In the summer, they can go play with their friends.
I can do this for the rest of my life.
