WOMEN IN BUSINESS
W
MARYANNE GUIDO, CEO GUIDO & COMPANIES, INC. (INCLUDING GUIDO CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, GUIDO LUMBER & BUILDING MATERIALS AND GUIDO MANAGEMENT SERVICES)
Years in the construction business: 20
How she got started in construction: ”I began my career at USAA as an actuarial analyst, having studied mathematics, statistics and economics in college. When I resigned from USAA, my husband, Tom, suggested I pursue something I always wanted to do but had not had an opportunity to try. My creative side led me to the continuing career/education program at St. Mary’s University in interior design. After completing the program, I formed Guido Interiors, Inc., which specialized in small commercial and residential design and construction. In 1993 I was offered a position as a project manager with Guido.” She says the most rewarding part of her career is identifying new talent and mentoring and
Construction was traditionally considered a man’s profession—how is
growing a team into the future leaders her com-
that changing? “Every business in the country is recognizing that women
pany will require.
are 50 percent of their natural resources. By not utilizing women in the
The most challenging part of her career is los-
workforce, businesses are seriously limiting their potential.”
ing a project or a good employee, and she says
Guido says she would not say women are better suited to this career
she is competitive by nature. However, she
than men; rather, she would describe women as “well suited” or “equally
chooses to use each of these experiences as an
suited” to this career. “Most women are highly organized, able to multitask
opportunity to understand how her company can
and detail-oriented by their very nature. Construction is creative problem
improve as an organization.
solving, project management, schedule and budget maintenance, client interfacing, team building and more — not just physical labor. Any smart human being can be successful in these roles.” She values the love and support of her husband, Tom; their father,
"Every business is recognizing that women are 50 percent of their natural resources. By not utilizing women in the workforce, businesses are seriously limiting their potential."
Cosmo Guido, Sr.; their siblings and their adult children and grandchildren, including son Christopher and wife Adrienne; grandsons Max and Maverick; daughter Lauren; son Cosmo; and son Michael, who was recently engaged to Katie Wadsworth of Boston. Guido enjoys many and diverse hobbies, including travel, cycling, skiing, reading, gardening, cooking, playing bridge and drinking great wine. She loves San Antonio because of its diverse culture and warmth and the genuine kindness of its people: “I also value that San Antonians in general recognize and affirm the importance of the family and its role in creating great future citizens.”
november/december 2013 | 81