Women of asphalt
Meet A Woman of Asphalt: Valerie Echter V
Valerie Echter’s influence on the asphalt industry could bring a sea change to human resources and workforce development. With a BS in civil engineering, she began her asphalt career with Jebro Inc. in 2002. Now she’s a freelance social media strategist and content creator for the asphalt, construction and engineering sectors. We’re honored to share her positive and inclusive outlook with the industry.
AsphaltPro: Could you share the story of your first in-person training/seminar where you were the only female in attendance and how that influenced your mindset for success? Valerie Echter: There have been numerous occasions when I was the only female attending a meeting or training session. However, the very first in-person workshop I attended was in Valentine, Nebraska, two weeks into my asphalt career. I didn’t know what to expect walking into a room of 75 county highway superintendents, so you can imagine my surprise when everyone stopped listening to the presenter and turned around to look at me as I entered the room; it was certainly an eye-opening experience. At that point, I knew I would have to be more outgoing than I felt comfortable with, so I learned how to ask questions. Throughout the years, I’ve grown accustomed to hearing the stories and history of asphalt and paving; there’s so many wise and knowledgeable individuals within the industry. I’ve been able to accomplish a lot in my professional life, due to that authentic desire to learn and hear people’s stories. AsphaltPro: How would you advise a young woman who finds herself the only female on a crew?
40 // October 2020
Region and Pacific Northwest. As much as I enjoyed the contractors I worked with, I felt pulled to investigate the world of coaching. I got certified as a holistic health coach in 2012 and shortly thereafter started coaching executive-level professionals on stress management, emotional intelligence and growth mindset strategies. I quickly realized that I was able to attract coaching clients by having a strong social media presence. I enjoy the creativity that social media allows. One day, a coaching client complained about needing help with social media, so I offered to take it off his plate. Referrals started piling up and I quickly found myself working more in the social media world than coaching. I’ve been able to grow my social media work by offering a unique perspective and authentic voice to the construction and paving communities. I currently offer social media, blog writing and other content creation services.
Valerie Echter Valerie Echter: My advice would be to stay true to yourself, while being confident in your abilities. It’s important to know your value and be willing to share your voice as part of the team. Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Not one person in this industry knows everything, so don’t let your ego stand in the way of learning.
AsphaltPro: Could you share your career trajectory to show the audience the track you took to get to your current consulting business? Valerie Echter: I spent 12 years selling liquid asphalt to heavy highway contractors in the upper Midwest, Texas, Rocky Mountain
AsphaltPro: What do you think is the most important skill you’ve brought to your position in the asphalt industry? Valerie Echter: There are a couple skills that I’ve been able to harness that have allowed me to achieve great success in many areas of life. The first skill is my ability to listen. Construction is full of individuals more than willing to share their opinion. I spent a majority of my time in the industry listening and watching others, particularly leaders. I learned how to operate as a leader, how to gain trust from others, and more importantly, how to be respected within the industry. The second skill is being empathetic. Empathy is rarely addressed or discussed in construction. Being a female, I can get
