Addressing the workforce challenge, thanks to leadership by the Women of Asphalt California Chapter

By Russell W. Snyder

Every year since 2011 the California Asphalt Pavement Association has conducted a survey of its thousands of newsletter subscribers asking how they feel about the year ahead compared to the current year. The results have been revealing, charting optimism or pessimism based on economic cycles, trends in the asphalt industry and more.

In the same survey respondents are asked to name the No. 1 challenge where they work. In recent years the top response by far given by industry and public agency representatives alike revolved around workers – not enough of them, challenges developing the existing work force and problems recruiting new people. But what is being done to make the asphalt industry and related fields an attractive and welcoming career choice? The same question could be posed for public agencies that have asphalt in their remit. And since women make up just 10% of the construction industry workforce as a whole, it follows that there is plenty of room for growth in that area.

CalAPA has responded to this challenge by embedding workforce issues in the association’s strategic plan, and supporting informal events to serve as an incubator of sorts for a movement to remake the industry as more welcoming and inclusive for all, including women. A high point occurred in 2017 when the association included an all-woman panel discussion at the 2017 Fall Asphalt Pavement Conference in Sacramento. The panel was a veritable who’s who of prominent women in the industry, including Mary Teichert with Teichert, Amy Miller representing the National Asphalt Pavement Association, Toni Carroll with Graniterock, Amy Epps Martin, Ph.D., P.E., Research Engineer Pavement Management with Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Texas A&M, and Corina Borroel Wong with Granite Construction. The session was moderated by Dr. Rita Leahy, Ph.D., P.E., former CalAPA Technical Director and a legend in the industry (among her many other honors, she was the first women inducted into the CalAPA Hall of Fame). The panel discussion was followed in 2018 by a cover story in the association’s official magazine, California Asphalt, complete with a superhero representation as cover art custom designed for CalAPA by Stockton artist Chevan You. Meanwhile, on the national level, a Women of Asphalt organization was forming, also in 2017, and subsequently created the infrastructure for state branches to take the campaign to the next level.

Stepping up to the challenge is the Women of Asphalt California Branch, which achieved national recognition on April 27, 2022, and has since launched a series of activities built around the concept of elevating women in the industry (as well as public agency representatives). As the organization’s motto states, the goal is to “Lead and inspire.”

The Co-chairs of the California Branch are Cathrina Barros, Chief of the Office of Asphalt Pavement for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and Keely McCoy with Pavement Coatings Co., a division of CalAPA member Pavement Recycling, Inc. Both are gratified to be part of the effort that is proving to be fun and rewarding.

“I’m so proud to be on the board of the California chapter of Women of Asphalt,” McCoy told California Asphalt. “Even as a new organization WofA has already had a great response to activities throughout the first year. The chapter was founded in 2022 by a group of women who wanted to create a supportive and encouraging environment for women in the asphalt industry. The chapter has already hosted several events, including a networking luncheon, Caltrans lab tours, and Del Mar ‘Day at the Races’ hat contests. The events have been well-attended by both women and men from all over the state.”

McCoy says the energy and positive outlook of the WofA California Branch volunteers provide the fuel for the group. “The Board of Directors of the California Branch of Women of Asphalt is made up of experienced and dedicated women who are passionate about the asphalt industry,” she said. “The Board is committed to providing resources and support to women in the industry and to helping them succeed in their careers. Our future is bright for the California Branch of Women of Asphalt. The Branch is already making a difference in the lives of women in the industry, and it is poised to grow and expand in the years to come.”

Kat Crownover, Valero; Reka Aczel, Caltrans; Christina Pang, Caltrans; Sallie Houston, Arkema; Mimi Le, MCK Services, Inc.; Shannon Hector, Ramos Oil; Crista Heckman, Polyco; Jackie Wong, Caltrans; Amy Biagi, Pavement Coatings; Susan Listberger, Cargill; Keely McCoy, Pavement Coatings; Karen BonnettiRamirez, Caltrans; Victoria Martinez, Pavement Coatings; Shweta Jayant, Caltrans; Vicki Mancuso, Pacific Nuclear Technology; Susan Fong and Steve Lee, Caltrans.

Barros, a longtime Caltrans employee and engineer, expressed similar sentiments.

“When I was asked to be a co-chair for Women of Asphalt, California Branch, I was honored and excited for the opportunity,” Barros told California Asphalt magazine. “Having spent the past 30-plus years at Caltrans, and 25 years related to pavement engineering and asphalt, the lack of women in the field was apparent. There were few women role models – very strong women who gave me great advice and support. I thought this opportunity could help empower and motivate the next generation of professionals, and I could lend my support like those before me.”

Barros said the positive outlook among WofA California Branch volunteers really impressed her. “What I didn’t expect was the quick camaraderie among the group, and the strong desire to make the WofA group better!” she said. “I’ve met some amazing ladies (and men), with great vision and drive, and look forward to the great things that our branch will accomplish.”

The all-volunteer group is supported by CalAPA staff, including CalAPA Member Service Manager Sophie You and Member Service Coordinator Jackie Henry. And WofA activities are regularly reported to the CalAPA Board of Directors as well as the national organization.

“It’s a delightful pleasure to be part of a group that is eager to educate, stimulate, support, encourage and embolden other women,” Henry says. “There has been a lot of excitement and enthusiasm. The ladies who have attended the events have given positive feedback. Everyone is excited and eager to continue doing events.”

Rebecca Sparks with the Sparks Company, Inc., is the group’s Treasurer, and Tia Sutter with Earth Systems is the Board Secretary. Sydney Johnson with Earth Systems has taken on the role of communications coordinator, putting notices and other promotional pieces out via e-mail, social media posts and other means.

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Members of the Women of Asphalt California Branch gathered Dec. 9, 2022 in the Caltrans Translab auditorium prior to the tour of the facility. They were hosted by State Materials Engineer Tim Greutert (right) and Office of Asphalt Pavement Chief Cathrina Barros (left), who is also co-chair of the WofA CA Branch. All of those pictured are as follows: Front row, left to right: Cathrina Barros,

Construction

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An Education Committee is led by Rachael Luciak with Strategic G Advisors, and other members are Emilia Michel with Granite Construction, Karen BonnettiRamirez with Caltrans, Cortney VanHook with Albat and Mimi Le with MCK Services, as well as Barros and Sparks. The fledgling Technical Committee is led by Johnson and includes Barros, Le, Sarah Sisson with InstroTek and Susan Fong with Caltrans.

The Activities and Fundraising Committee is led by Le and also includes Kerry Hoover with Construction Marketing Services and Suzanne Morgan with Structure Groups, as well as Sisson and Sparks.

“I think, at first, everyone was a little confused as to what they needed to do, and could do, but now that we are starting to formulate subcommittees, and create definitions behind them. Everyone now has insight into what they want to work on,” Henry says.

In committing staff resources to the Women of Asphalt California Chapter, CalAPA is acknowledging that supporting women is integral to responding to the industry’s workforce challenge. CalAPA’s Member Services Manager Sophie

You says supporting the group has been fun and rewarding.

“I think the level of energy and synergy that the group is bringing to the table is the driving force that is helping to achieve our mission and our goals,” You says. “I think the group in California is very supportive of each other, and also very inspirational. It is really great to see the level of professionalism on display. They are making the world of asphalt fun and pretty. We got this!”

Fun and pretty may not be words that immediately spring to mind when it comes to asphalt, but the elegant stickers and promotional prizes that have been part of Women of Asphalt California Branch activities are starting to change those perceptions. This is especially true at the association’s annual “Day at the Races” event at Del Mar, which in recent years has added a festive Women of Asphalt California Branch hat contest that has become one of the highlights of the event.

“This group is not just talking, they are working and making this a reality,” You says. “We can’t do it without our leaders, and they are doing an excellent job.” which has published the CalAPA magazine for more than two decades, has witnessed the organic nature of the informal support group for women in the industry, which now has been formalized into Women of Asphalt.

“Since 1995, I have been actively engaged in the asphalt industry, and it brings me great joy to have witnessed the remarkable growth and increasing presence of women in the construction sector over the years,” Hoover says. “The Women of Asphalt California Branch has been instrumental in this positive shift, providing invaluable support to women through mentorship, networking opportunities, educational initiatives, and advocacy. Being a part of such organizations fills me with enthusiasm and anticipation for the continued progress ahead.”

Leahy, once feted by the national Women of Asphalt organization as the “Original Woman of Asphalt,” is pleased to see the support network for women in the industry flourishing. Although she remains an informal adviser to CalAPA, she describes herself as “thoroughly content in retirement.”

“I recall fondly the many gentlemen of the asphalt industry who encouraged, supported and inspired me,” she told California

Asphalt magazine recently. And she also offered this bit of advice to her former male colleagues. “To make women feel welcome in the still male-dominated world of construction the men need only see the ‘women of asphalt’ as if they were a sister or daughter.”

All of which begs the question: What are YOU doing to support this effort? To learn more about

On the Cover

the Women of Asphalt California Branch, scan the QR code on this page or visit the CalAPA web page devoted to the group at: www.calapa.net/womenof-asphalt.html CA

Russell W. Snyder, CAE, is executive director of the California Asphalt Pavement Association (CalAPA).

1st Row L-R: Cheyenne Gould, Martin Marietta; Cathrina Barros, Caltrans; Keely McCoy, Pavement Coatings; Rebeca Sparks, The Sparks Company, Inc.; Tia Sutter, Earth Systems; Sydney Johnson, Earth Systems; Rita Leahy, Retired and Sarah Sisson, InstroTek.

2nd Row L-R: Allison Ragan, Black Diamond; Mimi Le, MCK Services; Rachael Luciak, Strategic G Advisors; Jackie Henry, CalAPA; Amy Biagi, Pavement Coatings and Shweta Jayant, Caltrans.

3rd Row L-R: Shannon Hector, Ramos Oil Co.; Alma Cortez, Sully-Miller Co.; Suzanne Morgan, Structure Groups; Sophie You, CalAPA; Susan Fong and Guadalupe Magana, Caltrans.

4th Row L-R: Christina Pang, Caltrans; Jeanette Solis, Sully-Miller Co.; Victoria Martinez, Pavement Coatings; Mae Tamayo, Caltrans; Karen Bonnetti-Ramirez and Sarah Hartz, Caltrans; Anna Trinidad, Valero and Abbigail Brown, CPM Logistics.

5th Row L-R: Priscilla Hernandez, Ramos Oil; Cristina Paredes, Caltrans; Ashley Batson, Ingevity; Kerry Hoover, CMS; Stefani Gutierrez, Spot On Performance; Krystle Barraza, Sully-Miller Co.; Jackie Wong, Caltrans and Sallie Houston, Arkema.

The Women of Asphalt California Branch sponsored the hat contest and had a record number of contestants this year at CalAPA’s “Day at the Races" July 23, 2022, at Del Mar Racetrack in Del Mar.

Editor’s Note:

The photos in this issue represent just a few of the many amazing women making a positive impact in the asphalt pavement industry in California. Join us! To learn more, click on the QR code below. Someday your face may appear in this magazine!