NAWIC NEWS

Written by: Jaylene Kent, Ph.D., C.I.T, Isla Coating & Roofing Supply

NAWIC Guam #381 has a proud history of attracting the best in our industry, dedicated women who are bright, talented, and bold enough for a nontraditional career; women like Ms. Crystal Cruz. With great pride, we feature Ms. Cruz, a civil engineer with Amorient, in this month’s NAWIC Guam #381’s Member Spotlight.

A CHamoru native of Guahan and graduate of Academy of Our Lady, she describes herself as “good in math”, “not so good with writing”….. an interesting and unusual combination for many women. She earned her B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of HI – Manoa in 2015, marrying her technical and humanitarian interests in infrastructure (roads, bridges, and airports) with her strengths in problem solving and critical thinking. She was the 2012 recipient of the Charlie Corn Scholarship.

Ms. Cruz’s project portfolio and experience of only 5 years has surprising breadth and depth, with leadership positions in several engineering firms to include Construction Surveillance Engineer for NAVFAC Marianas’ Tanker and Strike Hangars, Construction Inspector for the P-270 ACE Gym & Dining Facility, North Ramp AAFB; J-006 Apra Medical/Dental Clinic, NBG; and J-031 & J-033 Bachelors Enlisted Quarters D&F, Marine Corps Base Guam; Lead Quality Control Engineer with Black Construction, notably for the GIAA Terminal Building Structural Upgrade and Concourse Isolation Project, and various projects as a Project Engineer both in HI and Guam.

As excellence begets excellence, June of 2020 found Ms. Cruz employed by the best-in-class Engineering and Construction Management Firm, Amorient, under the direction of President Hernan Bonsembiante. Like all top drawer companies, Amorient has a long history of supporting professional development. They have maintained her membership in NAWIC Guam #381, as it provides good networking and role models for the next generation of engineers. A believer in lifelong learning and professional excellence, Ms. Cruz is currently pursuing her Construction Document Technician (CDT) Certification through NAWIC. This certification focuses on “interpreting information conveyed from the architect/engineer to the contractor by way of legal documents” and focuses on their many components, including working drawings, specifications, and contractual requirements. She will soon be known as Ms. Crystal Cruz, CDT! This will be one of many special certifications, such ICC Reinforced Concrete Special Inspector Associate, earned by Ms. Cruz.

True to form, Ms. Cruz has taken the opportunities provided to her and paid them forward to other young NAWIC professionals. Having originally joined NAWIC Guam #381 to pursue professional development and networking with other women in the industry, she, herself, has emerged as a NAWIC leader. Currently seated on the NAWIC Board of Directors, she is entering her second year of service as a Director, providing inspiration, leadership, and a role model to other women in the industry.

Congratulations to Amorient’s “promising engineer with a very bright future”, and NAWIC Guam #381’s Director, Ms Crystal Cruz, Civil Engineer!