This text is one in a collection of conversations with ladies leaders within the building business. Click on right here for previous discussions.
Earlier than transitioning to the development business, Stacey Tompkins labored in administration as a meals service director for Aramark Providers, overseeing company eating services for a number of high-profile Wall Road purchasers.
In 2013, she discovered her approach into building by entering into the landscaping and hardscaping enterprise her husband started. When extra jobs began to incorporate excavation, she realized there was a chance to deliver Tompkins Landscaping to the following stage by remodeling it into Tompkins Excavating. The Putnam Valley, New York-based agency now has an annual income of $12 million.
As president, Tompkins has relied on her intensive administration expertise to assist form an organization tradition that draws and retains prime expertise whereas emphasizing steady coaching {and professional} improvement.
Tomkins additionally serves as a city councilwoman in Putnam Valley, the place she resides along with her husband and three sons, who’ve all performed important roles within the household enterprise. Right here, Development Dive talks with Tompkins about her firm’s new designation as a Minority- and Ladies-Owned Enterprise Enterprise and what it took to obtain it.
This interview has been edited for brevity and readability.
CONSTRUCTION DIVE: What led you to decide on building to your profession?
STACEY TOMPKINS: After spending years in a administration position in a worldwide company, I made a decision to affix my husband and take the lead on implementing my imaginative and prescient. It was an enormous shift, however I used to be drawn to the challenges and rewards of the development business.
Stacey Tompkins
Permission granted by Tompkins Excavating
I appreciated the tangible outcomes of our work — seeing a venture come to life from the bottom up. The development sector additionally provided a chance to interrupt stereotypes, particularly as a girl in a historically male-dominated discipline. I needed to make my mark, not only for myself, however to pave the way in which for different ladies within the business.
What do you do in your present job?
I oversee all features of our operations, from venture administration and shopper relations to workforce improvement and strategic planning. My position includes guaranteeing that our tasks align with our dedication to excellence and security, and that we’re outfitted with the most recent know-how and coaching. I’m deeply concerned in fostering our firm tradition, which emphasizes teamwork and resilience, traits which were essential to our development and success.
We’re situated in Putnam Valley within the Hudson Valley area of New York, a fantastic space that provides a mixture of city and rural tasks. Our proximity to numerous municipalities permits us to have interaction in various work all through Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange Counties.
You latterly obtained MWBE certification from the state of New York. What went into getting that?
Securing the MWBE certification was a journey full of obstacles and resilience. It took 11 lengthy years, throughout which I submitted three functions, confronted denials and underwent a number of appeals. The method was not simply in regards to the paperwork; it was about advocating for recognition as a legit woman-owned enterprise in an business the place such illustration is scarce.
All through this journey, I labored intently with authorized counsel and discovered rather a lot in regards to the intricacies of the certification course of. It was essential to show not simply our {qualifications} however our dedication to range and inclusion within the building sector.
This certification symbolizes not simply my private triumph but additionally a step ahead for ladies in enterprise, illustrating that persistence pays off.
How will it profit your organization?
Whereas the certification is probably not a requirement for our continued success, I’m sure that it’s going to open up new alternatives for Tompkins Excavating. It permits us to compete for contracts particularly put aside for licensed companies, which might improve our visibility within the market.
This certification not solely validates our standing as a woman-owned enterprise but additionally supplies us with entry to sources and help geared toward fostering development and improvement for minority- and women-owned enterprises.
Furthermore, the certification strengthens our model repute. Shoppers are more and more searching for various partnerships, and being licensed reinforces our dedication to fairness and inclusion. It permits us to have interaction extra deeply with the neighborhood, demonstrating our help for initiatives that promote range throughout the building business.
What advantages are there to working in building?
The development business is dynamic and various, offering quite a few alternatives for development. There’s a continuing demand for expert labor, which implies that people can discover a variety of profession paths — from boots on the bottom within the discipline, akin to venture administration, to extra behind-the-scenes positions akin to engineering.
It’s additionally a discipline the place innovation is essential; know-how is quickly evolving, and those that embrace change can paved the way. Lastly, the camaraderie and relationships constructed on-site can result in lifelong connections, making building a novel and rewarding profession selection.
What recommendation would you give to younger ladies contemplating building as a profession?
My recommendation for younger ladies concerned with a profession in building is straightforward: Don’t be afraid to step into this area. The business is evolving, and there’s a rising demand for various views. Embrace the challenges and know that your distinctive experiences and insights are precious.
Search mentorships and construct a community of supportive colleagues. Surrounding your self with others who share your ambitions can present encouragement and steering as you navigate your path.
Moreover, put money into your schooling and coaching; understanding the technical features of building will empower you to excel. Lastly, stay persistent. The journey could also be powerful, however your willpower will help break down obstacles and create alternatives for future generations of girls in building.
