Persistence pays off for president of NY excavation firm

This article is one in a series of conversations with ladies folk leaders within the constructing industry. Click here for past discussions.

Before transitioning to the constructing industry, Stacey Tompkins worked in management as a meals provider director for Aramark Services, overseeing corporate eating facilities for several excessive-profile Wall Avenue purchasers. 

In 2013, she came across her system into constructing by entering into the landscaping and hardscaping enterprise her husband started. When more jobs started to incorporate excavation, she realized there became once a probability to raise Tompkins Landscaping to the next stage by transforming it into Tompkins Excavating. The Putnam Valley, Unique York-essentially based totally firm now has an annual earnings of $12 million.

As president, Tompkins has relied on her intensive management skills to attend form an organization custom that pulls and retains high ability while emphasizing continuous coaching and professional type. 

Tomkins also serves as a metropolis councilwoman in Putnam Valley, where she resides alongside with her husband and three sons, who’ve all played crucial roles within the household enterprise. Here, Construction Dive talks with Tompkins about her company’s fresh designation as a Minority- and Females-Owned Industrial Endeavor and what it took to acquire it.

This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

CONSTRUCTION DIVE: What led you to resolve constructing for your occupation?

STACEY TOMPKINS: After spending years in a management role in a world corporation, I sure to affix my husband and take the lead on implementing my imaginative and prescient. It became once a gargantuan shift, but I became once drawn to the challenges and rewards of the constructing industry. 

I favored the tangible results of our work — seeing a mission attain to life from the bottom up. The enchancment sector also offered a probability to break stereotypes, particularly as a lady in a historically male-dominated topic. I wished to make my impress, no longer merely for myself, but to pave the vogue for other ladies folk within the industry.

What attain you attain in your fresh job?

I oversee all components of our operations, from mission management and client members of the family to crew type and strategic planning. My role contains making certain that our projects align with our commitment to excellence and safety, and that we’re outfitted with the most fresh technology and coaching. I’m deeply occupied with fostering our company custom, which emphasizes teamwork and resilience, traits which had been an crucial to our disclose and success.

We’re situated in Putnam Valley within the Hudson Valley space of Unique York, an resplendent residence that offers a combination of urban and rural projects. Our proximity to numerous municipalities enables us to engage in numerous work all over Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange Counties.

You no longer too prolonged ago obtained MWBE certification from the insist of Unique York. What went into getting that?

Securing the MWBE certification became once a shuffle stuffed with barriers and resilience. It took 11 prolonged years, for the duration of which I submitted three applications, confronted denials and underwent more than one appeals. The process became once no longer merely about the paperwork; it became once about advocating for recognition as a official lady-owned enterprise in an industry where such representation is scarce.

For the duration of this shuffle, I worked closely with ethical counsel and realized loads about the intricacies of the certification process. It became once an crucial to original no longer merely our qualifications but our commitment to diversity and inclusion within the constructing sector. 

This certification symbolizes no longer merely my personal triumph but also a step forward for ladies folk in enterprise, illustrating that persistence pays off.

How will it encourage your organization?

While the certification would maybe per chance no longer be a requirement for our continued success, I’m definite that it is going to open up fresh alternatives for Tompkins Excavating. It enables us to compete for contracts particularly role aside for certified agencies, which will reinforce our visibility available within the market. 

This certification no longer simplest validates our reputation as a lady-owned enterprise but also provides us with access to resources and enhance aimed at fostering disclose and type for minority- and girls folk-owned enterprises.

Furthermore, the certification strengthens our designate reputation. Clients are increasingly more trying for numerous partnerships, and being certified reinforces our commitment to equity and inclusion. It enables us to engage more deeply with the workforce, demonstrating our enhance for initiatives that promote diversity within the constructing industry.

What advantages are there to working in constructing?

The enchancment industry is dynamic and numerous, offering a immense quantity of alternatives for disclose. There’s a relentless ask for skilled labor, which system that members can accumulate a wide probability of occupation paths — from boots on the bottom within the topic, reminiscent of mission management, to more within the attend of-the-scenes positions reminiscent of engineering. 

It’s also a topic where innovation is a crucial; technology is evolving, and individuals who contain commerce can lead the vogue. At final, the camaraderie and relationships constructed on-insist would maybe per chance extinguish up in lifelong connections, making constructing a particular and rewarding occupation probability.

What advice would you give to younger ladies folk pondering constructing as a occupation?

My advice for younger ladies folk in a occupation in constructing is easy: Don’t be insecure to step into this residence. The industry is evolving, and there’s a rising ask for numerous views. Embrace the challenges and know that your unfamiliar experiences and insights are precious.

Seek mentorships and originate a network of supportive colleagues. Surrounding your self with others who allotment your ambitions can provide encouragement and guidance as you navigate your direction. 

Additionally, put money into your education and coaching; figuring out the technical components of constructing will empower you to excel. Lastly, dwell persistent. The shuffle is in all likelihood hard, but your decision can attend break down boundaries and have alternatives for future generations of ladies folk in constructing.