PAGE A6 – February 2009 – The GTA Construction Report
NCA announces first female
BARRIE CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION
president in association history BCA welcomes new president
ALICIA FLOYD – The GTA Construction Report staff writer
ALICIA FLOYD – The GTA Construction Report staff writer
With a faltering economy and a the NCA in 1952. He worked in the
With a new year comes As much as Stacey is al-
growing need for job creation, in- construction industry doing flooring
new change and of course ready a leader in this indus-
frastructure has become one of the as well roofing for a large company
a new president for many try, she is also a role model
strongest initiatives to mend some in Niagara. Ed helped lay the floor
of Ontario’s Construction for other women in or en-
of these issues. However, with the in the historical Welland House, in
Associations. This year’s tering the construction
construction industry continuously downtown St. Catharines. Eventu-
president of the Barrie field of employment. A
growing, and an aging population ally he started his own roofing com-
Construction Association similar attitude among fe-
to match, there is a high demand for pany in 1936. Tara’s father, Pete (BCA) is one that is moti- males in the construction
another pool of resources to grow Christensen, was also the president vated and driven by the fu- industry is not to focus on
into this field of work. A younger of the NCA in 1981 and 1982. ture of the construction gender. When asked how
generation is being called on to learn and Christensen vividly recalls her father bring- industry and is ready to it feels to be a female in the
train in all different trades, however, an un- ing herself and her sisters along for Saturday work with other members of the BCA to role of president, Stacey responded with
tapped resource is surrounding the construc- NCA meetings. They would all play in the
support all workers through difficult the fact that she doesn’t think about gen-
tion industry. A perfect possibility for office waiting for the meeting to end. Her
economic times. Anita Stacey of Cow- der, she is focusing on having a job to
women, the construction industry has opened fond memories of the organization had begun
den-Woods Design Builders Ltd. is do and being successful at it. As much
itself up to training and hiring women in var- at such a young age and carried on accord-
striving for success this year. She will as Stacey has faced small challenges in
ious fields. As times have certainly changed, ingly into adulthood, as she now serves in the
not only serve as a leader but also as an- this regard, she has not found any prob-
this idea is no longer one that would shock very position in which her father and grand-
other female role model in the construc- lems too difficult to deal with. Stacey
members of this common society. father had so many years ago.
tion industry. takes an optimistic yet understanding
A prime and somewhat exemplary in- When asked how it feels to fill such big
As a graduate from St. Lawrence approach to handling this subject.
stance of a strong female presence in the con- shoes, Christensen responded; “It is an hon-
College in Kingston, Ontario, Stacey “I am the type of person that realizes
struction industry is Tara Christensen, the our being the next president of the NCA. I
new president of the Niagara Construction am proud that I will be the first ‘third gener
achieved a diploma in accounting. Her that not everyone can get used to dealing
-
Association (NCA). Not only is Christensen ation’ president.” However, as much as
career led her into the construction in- with a female. Most of the time if I rec-
a third generation member of her family to Christensen takes great pride in following in
dustry, but Stacey owes her successes to ognize this, I will pass the task to my
lead the association, but she is also the first her family’s footsteps, she does not seem to
experience. She has worked hard and male counterpart and he will continue
female to ever claim this prominent position. dwell on the prominent fact that she is also
committed herself to construction for on with the project. I believe that it is
With a strong background and a ton of am- the first female president.
fifteen years and has learned to grow all about doing what is necessary to be
bition, Christensen has proven herself and “I do not think about being the first fe-
along with the ever-changing industry. a success. I try not to have a chip on my
hurried her way to the top of her profession. male. I have always been the one female in
However, rather modest about her ac- shoulder about being in a male domi-
She is now a leader not only to the construc- the room of many men. I am used to it.”
complishments, Stacey owes much of nated field.”
tion industry, but all females wondering if Clearly, being raised around the influ-
her achievements and progress to Keith Being comfortable with herself and
they too can venture into professions that ences of this industry and clearly being
Cowden and Ron Woods who have al- recognizing what needs to be done to
once may not have been considered conven- widely accepted by her male family mem-
lowed her to learn everything she possi- achieve a common goal, Stacey can eas-
tional. bers in the family business has taught Chris-
bly could along the way. ily keep business initiatives in the fore-
Christensen grew up in St. Catharines. tensen to think more of what she is doing
A few years ago, Stacey met Cowden front.
During her studies at Brock University, she than who she is and how she relates to soci-
at a different place of employment. It Stacey handles each situation as it
worked as a labourer for her family’s flat ety’s expectations of women. That is not to was upon meeting him that he asked her arises, but admits that women will have
roofing company; PEC Roof Maintenance say that she did not have to work hard to get if she was interested in working on var- to deal with issues related to being fe-
and Ed Christensen Roofing Limited. After where she is. ious marketing tasks for Cowden male in the construction industry.
graduating Brock University, she moved on “In the beginning, men have always ques- Woods. For Stacey, the rest is history. “I do notice that when you go to a job
to work for her father as an estimator and on tioned if I was in the right place when I Eventually Stacey began working esti- site pregnant, you get a lot of funny
project management. After a while, her fa- walked onto a jobsite for instance, but now
mating and project management. She looks.”
ther convinced her to attend College, to get most people know who I am and that I be-
has continued to learn and become pas- Nevertheless, as a strong business
a leg up on the growing construction indus- long. I have ‘paid my dues’ to gain their re-
sionate about the future of this business woman, Stacey’s attitude has taught her
try. Christensen attended Niagara College spect.”
sector and is ready to move forward as some useful ways of dealing with simi-
and received a diploma in Construction En- The face of the future of women in the
president of the association. lar issues.
gineering Technology. Eventually Chris- construction industry, Christensen can be a
As enthused as Stacey is about this “I believe that it is all about attitude.
tensen left the family business and now role model for young women preparing to
opportunity, she notes that it will be a I think that it is important to be yourself
works for a large distributor and manufac- enter the work force.
challenging year with much to be done. and don’t feel that you have to prove
turer of roofing products, Roofmart/IKO. Christensen notes that this is a very excit-
Being faced with serious economic tur- anything. Just work hard, be firm if
Christensen has worked at Roofmart for four ing time to be in construction. With the pop-
years and is now the product manager for a ulation aging and retiring, she believes the
bulence, there will be a lot of work and needed and keep true to your values and
roofing material line that is distributed in industry needs new people and needs them
support needed for all members of the be happy with your accomplishments.”
Canada, called Genflex. fast. The industry needs young people to get
BCA. However, Stacey is very confi- Perhaps most importantly, Stacey
As respectable as her qualifications may trained, get experience and join this ever
dent that with the assistance of their full notes that everyone has choices, and her
-
seem, her dedication to the construction in- growing field.
time staff, as well as the rest of the board choice is to be at the front of this indus-
dustry does not end there. Christensen is a She believes that the best place to gain the
of directors, plans will be laid out and try working side by side with industry
past president of the West St. Catharines much-needed new people is to tap into the
goals will be met. leaders and members of the BCA, all for
Business Association as well as a past chair female population. She has noticed more fe-
“Our main course is to do what we the common goal of moving the con-
of the Niagara Region Labour/Management males on job sites than when she first started
can for our members to keep them in- struction industry forward.
Health and Safety Committee for CSAO. working in this field, but would definitely
formed about many different things such Along with being a hardworking,
And, in her free time, Christensen coached like to see more.
as job postings, changes in legislation dedicated member of Cowden Woods
high school rowing and taught third-year As a business woman and a role model,
and so on,” she said. and a devoted mother, Stacey is looking
Construction Estimating at Niagara College. Christensen is certainly sending the message
In economic times such as these, forward to what the future holds for the
Evidently being raised in a family focused to members of the construction industry and
workers and entire companies turn to construction industry and is prepared to
on engaging themselves in the construction to all women that anything can happen if you
groups like the BCA for support and work with her peers to do what needs to
industry has made her no stranger to the put your mind to it. leadership. Stacey and the rest of the be done for their members.
field. Her family has served the construction “I would like to tell all females the same BCA are planning to be on hand to help
community for years. It seems quite fitting thing. Do what makes you happy, no matter encourage and assist all of their 350
for Christensen to follow suit. Ed Chris- what that is and you will always be success- members.
tensen, Tara’s grandfather, was president of ful.”
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