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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

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

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.

Historical restoration trades such as window restoration, masonry restoration, plaster repair, and finish carpentry are all highly specialized, making it hard to find skilled craftsmen in these areas of expertise today. These restoration trades are a dying field and something not many younger tradesmen are familiar with.

According to the Historic Trades Labor Analysis, July 2022 Edition, rehabilitation construction is still growing. The rehabilitation of existing buildings represents nearly $85 Billion each year. There are 96 million buildings in the US, and about 40% are over 50 years old. That equals roughly 4.3 to 6.2 million structures defined as “historic.” There are many “historic” buildings in need of restoration. However, there is a huge need for tradesmen. Comparatively, there are about 8,545,000 construction workers but only 1,311,000 construction rehabilitation workers. There are considerable benefits to having training and experience in historic preservation. Not only does it increase the quality of work and reduce the number of mistakes, but there is a premium of around 9% on wages.

There are many programs to help revitalize these trades. Here are some resources.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation dedicates a whole page on its website to the preservation and restoration of these trades. They provide resources to learn more about the trades and various training opportunities.

The Campaign for Historic Trades is another excellent resource for anyone interested in a career in historic restoration. This website provides a step-by-step process of how to get your career started.

Shannon Construction Company has a government services branch in the DC/Maryland area where we have completed various projects. The projects include the St. Regis Hotel’s structural repairs and facade upgrades. Additionally, the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Cafeteria Renovation.

Cranberry Business Park has proven to be a hotbed of activity for Cranberry / Wexford professionals. From top-of-the-line office spaces with amenities to spare to open warehouse areas bustling with success, tenants have found either their new homes or selected modern renovations to their existing spaces. The Shannon Construction team has proudly partnered with CBP owners for approximately the past 15 years to bring their visions, as well as the tenants, to fruition.

HRG

Life Science Connect

Superintendent John Burton has been creating art with his superior carpentry skills for four decades and sharing his knowledge and expertise with apprentices and journeymen, like Mike Cataldo, for nearly as long. The North Way Christian Community Church in Wexford, PA is his most recent masterpiece which included eliminating a standard drop ceiling to install a beautiful and one of a kind Ash wood paneled ceiling. John and Mike teamed to individually cut and install over 1,200 pieces of varying lengths over the 1,600 sf ceiling with extreme precision and patience. Congratulations to John and Mike for creating a magnificent show piece for North Way Christian Community Church.

As fewer and fewer individuals apply for apprenticeships within the construction trades, our industry faces a potentially difficult future. According to the Associated Builders and Contractors’ (ABC) February 23, 2022 news release, one in five construction workers will retire in approximately five years. With a decline of 8% in the 25-54 age range of new workers, our industry today needs 650,000 workers in 2022 and an additional 590,000 new workers in 2023 to meet the demand.

What can we do? Shannon Construction and many other General Contractors relied on the expertise of our tradesmen and women. They decided to help bring attention to the numerous career opportunities provided by our Unions. Dean of College and Career Readiness Leyna Steffen, from Peters Township High School, also recognized an opportunity for both her students and the students across the North and South Hills of Pittsburgh, PA.

Approximately 40 organizations welcomed high school students and parents from across the North and South Hills – and a few from the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia, to the South Hills Trades and Tech Fair at Peters Township High School. Shannon Construction’s goal for the event was to share information, possibilities, and opportunities with a new generation of future tradesmen and women.

Shawn Bulsak, Shannon Superintendent, and Matt Miller, Shannon carpenters apprentice, regaled students and parents with their personal experiences from beginning their apprenticeships to problem-solving on project sites. Thank you, Shawn and Matt, for your dedication to your trade, Shannon Construction, and for growing the future of carpenters.

During the Decade of 2000-2009, Shannon Construction Was Impacted by Changes in the World

Economic | Climate | Scandals | Terrorism

In this decade, significant events happened both for the U.S. construction industry and for Shannon Construction.

The economic trends from 2000 to 2009 were very tumultuous and tested the construction industry. As the dot.com business model was in its infancy, there was a lot of speculation, and the stock market had many ups and downs. Due to the Enron scandal, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act emerged to expand penalties for accounting fraud and instructed accounting firms to remain independent.

From 2007-2008 the most significant impact on construction was the subprime housing crisis which affected the entire world economy, including the stock market, causing a global recession. Key additional U.S. events included 9/11 and the war on terror along with Hurricane Katrina and Rita.

The biggest world financial events of 2000-2009.

From 2000 to 2009, construction was a prime beneficiary of low-interest rates, the housing-led economic boom, and one of the most considerable casualties of the subsequent financial crisis. During this decade of ups and downs, Ken led Shannon through this rollercoaster as the President of Shannon Construction with several key projects. Ken increased sales by expanding our marketing and construction services to include luxury residential renovations, health care, and consulting with industrial pharmaceutical organizations.

3 Notable Projects for Shannon in This Decade

2003 Shannon renovated a restaurant landmark of Pittsburgh—The Colony.
View the Newspaper Article From 2003 Announcing the New Colony Restaurant Project

2005 Shannon completed the update of the Cranberry Mall Facade,
which was the largest single project for Shannon that decade.

2009 Shannon completed an office renovation for Rizzo Engineering,
one of the largest office projects in the decade.

Roy Newcamp

The construction industry depends upon those who create the magic, taking the blank canvas to impeccable art appreciated for years into the future. And that’s exactly how the carpenters of Shannon Construction view their integral role in building for the future. “It’s an exciting career where I can express my creative and artistic side. This job is more than just swinging a hammer,” according to John Burton, 40 years in the trade. Both Roy Newcamp and Mike Cataldo (six and four years respectively in the industry) indicated similar thoughts, and both mentioned that what they do day in and day out requires an eye to detail and an eye for the art of the process. “Seeing a project go from nothing to a finished job, it’s like art.” — Roy Newcamp.

Mike Cataldo

Interestingly, what these three carpenters enjoy most about their profession is precisely what the average person would not know about it. Carpenters are some of the first on a job site to begin demolition work and one of the last trades on site to finish a project. “We’re always thinking and planning outside of the typical 40 hours a week,” said Burton, who after 40 years, “still has a fire in [his] heart to keep coming out to do [his] job.” Newcamp, a newer foreman for Shannon Construction, “carpenters are always learning something new, even if it’s the smallest of things.”

John Burton

Pride apparent in both their trade and their work the common theme, John, Mike, and Roy certainly agreed that taking a chance in the carpentry industry would not disappoint. Skills learned in the classroom and on the job site apply directly to everyday life. The work can prove challenging, from planning a schedule, materials, manpower to working and communicating with subs, clients, and owners. Guess what? They enjoy it.

Originally constructed in 1921 as the distribution center for the grocery chain known as Keystone Grocery and Tea Company, the Try Street Terminal Building (most recently a student dormitory) is now a luxury multi-family residence boasting 207 apartments with amenities most desired by young professionals interested in a modern yet urban environment. The nearly 100-year-old building, originally designed by architect Bernard H. Prack, provided a canvas for The Davis Companies, a Boston, MA development firm, Strada Architecture, and Shannon Construction to create the contemporary style while meeting the growing market demand for high quality, affordable living.

Shannon Construction diligently began identifying opportunities for savings that provided the owner with over $3 million in budget reductions while remaining focused on the most value to both the client and to the intended future occupants. These savings allowed for the project to move forward with the start of interior demolition in July of 2018.

Value engineering played a significant role during renovations of the former Pittsburgh Art Institute student housing complex to loft apartments. Shannon identified opportunities to reuse existing mechanical systems, fire suppression systems, doors, and hardware to initially reduce the cost of construction and materials and then created additional savings without compromising the integrity of design or function. Further collaboration between Shannon and Strada on finish design changes such as concrete grinding and sealing allowed for the removal of LVT from the budget while providing the urban look and feel the client desired for attracting the target young professional market.

The newly renovated building now features industrial finishes, polished concrete floors, steel beams, large industrial-style windows, and 30,000 square feet dedicated to amenities, including a basement and open mezzanine. With plenty of open space, there is room for many activities to complement the 207 apartments.  Included is a lounge with a bar and 5,000-square-foot fitness center, a bowling alley newly installed, a game room with pinball machines, five musical practice rooms, and a maker space, bringing a live-work component to the residential redevelopment.

Collaboration, ingenuity, and commitment to client satisfaction molded together a showcase team of professionals to bring life back to one of Pittsburgh’s National Register of Historic Places buildings.