Like masonry, skills last. “The knowledge and skills you gain are something no one can ever take away from you,” says Lowell Glodowski, President of the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 1. Read on for insight on why psychological safety matters, Lowell’s path into the industry and what the job of President entails.

From her history as a second-generation Laborer to inspiring her daughter, NW LECET Marketing Rep Amber Glennon shares her story, along with more on women in construction, the role Unions like LIUNA play, and the idea that everyone deserves a second chance. 

The Construction Center of Excellence recently sat down with Kalin Magruder, Vice President and Senior Project Manager at Sellen Construction, to find out about her pathway into construction, what a day in the industry looks like, and what she sees as essential for success in an ever-changing industry.

In this interview, Kalin explains why “show me your thought process” matters more than having the right answer, why the industry should sell students on both the opportunity (including the money) and the mobility available in construction, and why she’s optimistic about increased inclusivity and the continuing need for construction professionals.

With decades of construction management experience under his belt, Alex Grage of Exxel Pacific reflects on how the industry has changed, how to spark interest in construction careers, and how career paths aren’t always straight lines. In our conversation, he shares more on his role, why mentorship matters, and the future of construction education.

We sat down with Laura Soma, CCE Advisory Board member since 2013, to learn about her career, sustainability in construction and her insight into the industry. Laura is the Sustainability Manager at GLY Construction, holds a LEED AP, BD + C, and was elected CCE Co-chair at the most recent Advisory Board meeting.