INDUSTRY
WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
Born leader
Our conversation with Holt Construction CEO Patricia Zugibe
Patricia Zugibe
subcontractors, clients and all our partners safely moving forward. Holt currently has a diverse capable team. We will continue to build a team of talent with the diversity to enable us to relate to the needs of all our clients. With vaccination programs underway, we expect clients to restart their construction projects. Our volume will increase, and we will be ready.
How did you get started in the industry? Whatâs your story?
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olt Construction Chairman Jack Holt said that turning the CEO position over to Patricia Zugibe was akin to shifting a performance sports car into high gear. The longtime construction professionalâs ability level, knowledge, experience and drive bring a uniquely qualified level of balance to the Pearl River, New York company. With more than 30 years of experience as a principal owner of development and construction companies, acting county executive and an attorney, Zugibe will shift her energy to helping lead the companyâs 100-plus year old legacy. Starting her tenure at Holt in 2014 as in-house counsel, she rose through the ranks. Most recently, when the world was turned upside down by COVID-19, Zugibe played an instrumental role in developing a game plan that safeguarded the care and wellbeing of Holt Construction employees and families, while continuing to perform business on behalf of its clients safely and efficiently. We sat down with Zugibe to get
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her take on what the industry means to her and what the future holds.
Give us a snapshot of the construction market today?
The construction industry as a whole has been adversely impacted by the pandemic. Fortunately, Holt is a diversified construction management and general construction firm. Our work in the aviation, healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors have remained strong. Where we see a slowdown is in our retail fit out and corporate interiors markets. In the short-term, I anticipate we will navigate through the first and second quarters continuing to keep our people,
COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION â ISSUE 2, 2021
My background is multifaceted. I have owned several construction firms. I have practiced construction law. I have served as a county attorney, as well as an acting county executive for the County of Rockland, New York. I have been at Holt several years, beginning as counsel. It was somewhat of a natural progression from evaluating risk, and balancing that risk with business needs to diving deeper into the business and management of operations. COVID-19 did push me forward in some ways. The challenges of COVID-19 threw us into crisis mode. When that happens, you work through the situation, you collect the facts and you analyze the best path forward. I did that with our team, and we emerged with a great level of trust and respect.
What are some of the biggest changes youâve seen over the past few years?
Clients are becoming more knowledgeable and sophisticated concerning construction. I see them gravitating to our construction management method, which provides them the greatest transparency and allows for more participation in the process.
Name some of the opportunities available for women in the industry.
The construction industry is growing and continually facing labor shortages, thereby offering women higher paying, long-term
