interview
In the United States architects and end users have the option of working with an independent consultant who offers expert advice and charges an hourly fee”
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Leading lady Susan McCabe Messier has steered the US family business to phenomenal success. Here she talks of beating recession, charging for specifications and tackling the old boys club.
usan McCabe Messier is the founder, CEO and principal of Campbell McCabe Worldwide, a certified WBE, Women’s Business Enterprise. She is the oldest child of Robert J. McCabe, one of the fathers of the architectural hardware consulting profession. He held a Door and Hardware Institute (DHI) certification of AHC (Architectural Hardware Consultant) and was very involved in the national DHI, rising to national president. He believed in the importance of education and certifications. Susan began her career aged 13 working with her father and brothers in a family-owned commercial hardware distributorship. After she completed a degree in architectural history at Northeastern University, Susan’s father wanted to groom her to take over leadership of the firm. She was the eldest child, and also was able to mediate among the strong personalities and competing interests of four brothers who also had roles in the business. However, she asserted her independence and worked as a project manager for a healthcare practice. She rejoined the firm in 2007 to expand market share and geographical reach. Between 2009 and 2011 she more than doubled contract awards during one of the deepest recessions in the history of the construction industry. She also formed a lucrative partnership with a nationally recognised security consultant. Since taking the helm as CEO of Campbell McCabe Inc in 2013, Susan has opened a Connecticut office, created robust and sustainable administrative system infrastructure
22 • architectural ironmongery journal
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17/06/2020 15:25
