KBE Building Corp. Honoring Female Success in Male-Dominated Industry
Farmington, Conn. and Columbia, Md., July 28, 2014 (Newswire.com) - Construction management remains largely male-dominated, but at KBE Building Corporation, the contributions of female personnel have been vital to the company’s success at both of its regional offices in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
The $300 million commercial construction management firm recently acknowledged those contributions with two key promotions.
"There's no doubt that construction is still very much male-dominated, especially in the field. When we recognize our female staff members, it's not because they're the minority, though - it's because they're making vital contributions to our success."
Mike Kolakowski, KBE President and CEO
Rosalia Marques Promoted to Assistant Project Manager
Formerly Senior Project Engineer, Marques is a LEED Green Associate with twelve years of industry experience and two years spent at KBE’s Columbia, Md. office. She holds a degree in construction management from Montgomery College and a degree in civil engineering from Universidade Catolica de Goias. She also earned her Project Management certificate from Georgetown University last May.
Erica Millard Promoted to Preconstruction Manager 1
A former Senior Project Engineer and member of the firm’s estimating team, Millard has six years of industry experience, with two of those years spent at KBE’s Farmington, Conn. office. Her certifications include LEED AP BD+C and OSHA 30-hour construction training. She holds a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Virginia.
This is the second round of KBE promotions for Marques and Millard. They have both also contributed to projects that have earned accolades and awards from construction industry organizations, including the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. – Connecticut Chapter (CT ABC) and the Connecticut Building Congress (CBC).
“There’s no doubt that construction is still very much male-dominated, especially in the field,” said KBE President and CEO Mike Kolakowski, who bought the firm in 2007 with fellow executives Eric Brown and Simon Etzel. “When we recognize our female staff members, it’s not because they’re the minority, though – it’s because they’re making vital contributions to our success.”
Recognizing employees for their contributions is part of KBE’s culture. Each year, the firm honors exceptional staff achievements at its annual employee awards dinner. The culture of giving back also extends beyond the KBE family and into the community through the firm’s corporate philanthropic program, 50 Ways to Make a Difference.
Established in 2009 to celebrate the firm’s new ownership, name change, and 50 years in business, 50 Ways has helped KBE associates donate more than $1.2 million and 5,000 volunteer hours to charitable causes benefiting children, seniors, and military veterans in Connecticut and Maryland. This year’s beneficiaries are students in Connecticut’s technical high school system.
“2014 has already been a great year of giving back – both to the community and to our employees,” said Kolakowski. “Congratulations to Rosalia and Erica! We’re excited to watch them thrive in their new roles.”
High-resolution photographs of Rosalia Marques and Erica Millard are available here:
About KBE Building Corporation
Regionally located in Farmington, Conn., and Columbia, Md., KBE Building Corporation is a full-service, single-source commercial construction company strategically positioned to serve the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic U.S. Founded in 1959 and incorporated in 1966, the firm is celebrating its 55th year providing preconstruction, construction management, design-build, and general contracting services to clients in the educational, senior living, federal, corporate, hospitality, health care, institutional, and retail markets. KBE has managed more than $2.5 billion in construction volume over the last decade and is ranked among Engineering News-Record magazine's top 400 construction companies nationally.
