No.1 Must-Have: ”A positive attitude. I once heard the phrase “assume positive intent,” and it sounds like a cliché, but when you think about it, it’s understanding the perspective of others and understanding that most people come into situations with positive intentions.”
Stephanie Schmidt joined the construction industry right out of college and hasn’t looked back.
She is the incoming chairperson for the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) National board of directors, and has also served on the chapter development committee. She is a past chairperson and current member of the ABC Central PA Chapter, a member of ABC Keystone, ABC Western PA, the Pennsylvania Statewide Council of General Contractors, and serves on the executive board of the Penn College Construction Management Advisory Council. With over 35 years in the construction industry, Schmidt has extensive experience in all project delivery methods and their management. She is a member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) as well as a DBIA Certified Practitioner.
Schmidt began at Poole Anderson Construction — a regional commercial construction company that provides construction management, design-build and general contracting services — when it formed in 1999. And when the original owner retired, Schmidt stepped in to lead with a passion for collaboration and teamwork that she developed throughout her career. “Collaboration is my favorite part of the job,” said Schmidt. “It’s not just a buzzword either, our main focus at Poole Anderson is to work together as one team. That extends to the way we work with subcontractors and trade contractors.”
Schmidt says technology has undergone the greatest changes during her time in the industry. “I’ve seen people investing more in technology and their people,” said Schmidt. “Modern project management has changed the industry for the better and made it more efficient. Tech has also made us safer.”
In addition to her role as president of Poole Anderson, Schmidt finds time to focus on the industry at a national level through her involvement with Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) — and in 2022, she will become the national chair of the association and the fourth woman to hold the title.
“There’s so much value in being a part of [ABC]. It’s a great honor to be able to serve in that capacity. I look forward to doing the job to the best of my ability. In our strategic plan for 2022, we will be focused on workforce, safety, political advocacy and membership development. I plan to particularly focus on workforce safety,” she said. “Construction is picking up and people are doing pretty well right now — we need to be able to respond to that incoming push and growth. On the political advocacy platform for ABC, you need to be able to show as a merit shop contractor that we are safe, productive and well-trained,” said Schmidt.
“I’m just as proud of my role at Poole Anderson and our growth and reputation in the marketplace. I was able to bring on some young professionals that have now become our executive management team — the culture they’ve helped to build and the success it has brought us has been a great ride.”
Schmidt’s time and various roles at ABC have given her a long view of the industry, its future and its many challenges, including the worker shortage struggles that have only been compounded by COVID-19. But Schmidt believes women joining the industry will positively address the problem.
“There’s a shortage of trade professionals, so I encourage women to look into the vocational-tech side of the business. We need to make sure we have the resources needed to keep up with demand. The workforce shortage is a real problem, but I would also like to see more women in the industry, especially in management and supervisory roles, making a difference,” said Schmidt. “A lot of people who are considering construction as a career path don’t fully understand how many different jobs are available in the industry. There are lots of opportunities. Educating everyone on that is important.”
As the pandemic winds down, Schmidt is eager to welcome the return of industry events and networking opportunities, and says that the relationships and community are an integral part of the industry. “I’d like to be able to encourage [women] to get out and participate in the industry events that are available to them. That’s how you build relationships.” Schmidt notes that the construction industry is brimming with potential for women who are willing to jump in. “I find it interesting that the pay gap is almost not present at all in construction. There’s no glass ceiling here. Women make 99% of what men make in the industry, compared to roughly 80% what they make in other industries.”
