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Shannon Construction Celebrates Women in Construction

March 3-9, 2024 marks Women in Construction Week, a time to celebrate women and their accomplishments. Mary Haffner, Project Manager, has been working with Shannon Construction for over 20 years. She has seen many improvements within construction, most notably safety advances, waste reduction, and improved software. Tammy Chiesa, Project Manager, has been with Shannon Construction for 8 years and has seen numerous changes in our industry. With the use of new software, communication between the field and office staff has become instantaneous, and BIM and 3D printing technologies are now more accessible.

Both Mary and Tammy have taken note that over the years women have gained more support and stereotypes are fading in the construction industry. Women are being hired in the field as engineers, project managers, and tradeswomen.


Tammy’s Thoughts on Women in Construction

Project Manager Tammy Chiesa for Women in Construction Week

Advice to women wanting to join the construction industry:

  • Women are exceptionally talented and many are up for a challenge, take the challenge!
  • The construction industry includes a wide range of roles from management to surveying, civil engineering to bricklaying.
  • Attitudes are changing and women are gaining respect.
  • The construction industry is full of opportunity. One may limit construction to field work but that's not the case. Construction companies require estimators, design teams, accountants, project engineers, marketing and sales, human resources, safety, project administrators, etc.

What changes to construction have you seen during your tenure? — This does not have to pertain to women, it can be industry-wide.

  • Technology advancement; instant communication
  • Prefabrication and modular construction of buildings.
  • Improved safety equipment
  • Increasing material cost, decreasing labor force
  • BIM and 3D printing

Has there been more support for women in construction?

  • The stereotype is certainly fading, and support is on the rise.

Would you like to see more support?

  • Not necessarily support but encouragement.

Mary’s Thoughts on Women in Construction

Project Manager Mary Haffner for Women in Construction Week

Advice to women wanting to join the construction industry:

  • Set your goals, be open-minded, ask questions and there will be support available for women to be successful in construction.

What changes to construction have you seen during your tenure? — This does not have to pertain to women, it can be industry-wide.

  • Safety has improved, we reduce waste and we are working faster with new technology.  Field Superintendents are all using laptops with software packages to review drawings, submittals, RFI.  Daily photos and daily logs are complete.

Has there been more support for women in construction?

  • Yes, construction companies are hiring more women in the field specializing in a trade skill. Women are being hired as engineers, project managers and project engineers.  Women are supported by the office team and the field team.

Would you like to see more support?

  • Yes, there is always a need for additional support for any individual interested in construction.

Any advice for women wanting to join the industry?

  • Set your goals, be open minded, ask questions and there will support available for women to be successful in construction.

Waterfront Pedestrian Bridge

Client

M&J Wilkow

Location

Homestead, PA

Services Provided

Special Project

Shannon Construction is currently working in Homestead, PA on the Waterfront Pedestrian Bridge. Standing next to the Homestead Grays Bridge, the Pedestrian Bridge serves as a link between the shopping area to the Great Allegheny Passage trail for pedestrians and cyclists.

To prevent the Pedestrian Bridge from going into further disrepair, preventative steps need to be taken now. The structure needs to be repaired, especially the cracks and spalls in the concrete sidewalks on grade. There are cracked bricks in the bridge piers and abutments that need to be repaired. We are sandblasting and repainting the entire bridge. Check back later on our website when the project is complete.

Vitalant – Renovation

Client

Vitalant

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Square Feet

80,000 sf

Services Provided

General Contractor
Commercial Renovation
Self-perform

Architect

ikm

Vitalant is a nonprofit blood and biotherapy healthcare organization that specializes in laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise, and research. Shannon Construction Company was awarded the project to renovate their space at Penn Center 5 in Greentree.

Shannon Construction renovated approximately 80,000 square feet, spanning four floors of the building. The scope of work included vestibules, enclosed offices, new lab spaces, freezers, breakrooms, private toilet rooms, a patient area, and conference rooms. The new space is designed to provide a comfortable, safe, and conducive environment for patients, staff, and visitors.

Photos courtesy of ikm

Ogletree Deakins

Client

Ogletree Deakins

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Services Provided

General Contractor
Commercial Renovation
Self-perform
Design Services

Architect

ASD | SKY

Ogletree Deakins is a law firm located at One PPG, 19th floor and they have been in the same location since Shannon Construction did their first build-out in 2011 and a small expansion to their office space in 2017.

We completed our third office full renovation for Ogletree Deakins office at One PPG, 19th floor at the end of October. The renovation project included a new employee cafe, wellness room, and internal conference along with new lighting, new carpet, and painting. Individual attorney offices were soundproof with Oelex Noise Barrier Ceiling Tile Covers to eliminate hearing speaker phone conversations throughout the office.

CCA – Erie

Client

Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA)

Location

Erie, PA

Services Provided

Construction Management

Shannon Construction Company provides Construction Management as Advisor services to multiple Commonwealth Charter Academy (CCA) campuses across Pennsylvania. Our most recent project, CCA Erie, included a full building renovation. Our CMA services for these types of projects include working with the owner and design team early. Nick Rosky, our CMA specialist on staff, has the unique opportunity to work closely with not only the owner but the prime contractors and their subcontractors onsite.

Crews Control, LLC

Client

Crews Control, LLC

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Square Feet

15,000 sf

Services Provided

General Contractor
Commercial Renovation
Self-perform
Design Services

Architect

NEXT Architecture

Crews Control, LLC is a WBE Certified, reliable, dedicated, and knowledgeable traffic control company. They contacted Shannon Construction to complete alterations to their new headquarters office at 641 Alpha Drive, O'Hara Township. NEXT Architecture designed and reconfigured the new office 14,743 sqft space. The project included new MEPS, lighting, acoustical ceiling tile, flooring, doors, glass, architectural casework, and paint. The new space includes a warehouse, training room, dispatch room, cafe, new lobby and reception area, and offices.

Slippery Rock University

Client

Slippery Rock University

Location

Slippery Rock, PA

Services Provided

General Contractor
Commercial Renovation
Self-perform

Architect for Vincent Science Center Project

LGA Partners

Architect for President's Kitchen Project

Kimmel Bogrette Architecture & Site

August marks back-to-school month and the completion of two higher education projects with Slippery Rock University. Both the President’s kitchen and Vincent Science Center - Engineering Labs received a renovation on their existing space.

Slippery Rock University recently determined the need for renovations to their President’s home. The kitchen hosted outdated, marred millwork and appliances. As the new President prepared for her move, Shannon prepared the kitchen. Walls were removed to create an open concept complete with new millwork, appliances, paint, and tile work.

The Engineering Labs was a redesign of existing classrooms to create three new engineering labs. The renovated labs consist of new flooring, lab casework, glass marker boards, exhaust hoods, and painting. The students will return to newly renovated labs this fall semester.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop

Client

Murray Springs, LLC and Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

Location

Cranberry Township, PA

Square Feet

1,627 sf

Services Provided

General Contractor
Commercial Renovation
Self-perform

Architect

Interplan

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop, a new franchise in the Pittsburgh area, celebrated its most recent grand opening in Cranberry Township.

Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop build-out consisted of a brand new renovated space with the specified Capriotti’s franchise design. This included new lighting, interior finishes, custom built-ins (including hand-cut and installed wood ceiling, stainless kitchen equipment package, interior package, prototype, ghost kitchen, and exterior sign package

North Way Christian Community – Wexford

Client

North Way Christian Community Church

Location

Cranberry, PA

Services Provided

Renovation
Self-perform
Design Services

Architect

Rothschild Doyno Collaborative

Shannon Construction was hired to work on the project as a prime contractor with TI Services and their subcontractors.

The lobby work consisted of the installation of the mezzanine metal structure, poured concrete floor, and glass railing. Under the mezzanine, custom wood ceiling slats, ceiling wood slats, and a featured wood wall were installed. The lobby was upgraded with new lighting, fresh paint, polished concrete floor, new carpeting, and a new reception greeting area with all new custom millwork and glass.

New entrance corridors were constructed behind the reception greeting area to access the Autism Ministry Area and the Kids Ministry Area. New restrooms and new Kids Ministry nursery areas and classrooms were built. New cabinets and all new doors/frames and installed throughout the corridor and classroom areas.

Carbon Health Urgent Care – Easton Gateway

Client

Carbon Health Technologies

Location

Dublin, OH

Square Feet

3,600 sf

Services Provided

General Contractor
Commercial Renovation
Self-perform

Architect

Piper O'Brien Herr Architects

Carbon Health, an urgent care facility located in Columbus, OH awarded Shannon Construction the tenant fit out of an existing 3,600 sf ambulatory care facility with an expedited 12-week schedule.

The scope included customer reception, four urgent care, two primary care rooms, a staff lounge, and two new restrooms. The renovation required the installation of new underground utilities, new framing, MEP rough-ins, drywall, acoustical ceilings, lighting, electrical, HVAC, plumbing finishes, and floor and wall finishes.