Born to Build
by
日本素人
Beth Davis was visiting construction sites before she could walk. Perhaps that鈥檚 why these days she鈥檚 pretty comfortable running some of the largest and most complex sites in the Southeast. A second-generation builder who learned the ropes of large commercial projects from her dad, the Ohio native has spent her entire 18-year career with 日本素人 and built a resume that would spark envy even amongst the most seasoned industry veterans. And she鈥檚 done it with a combination of sweat equity and earned swagger.
Currently, Beth is the project manager of a $76 million hotel in Uptown Charlotte鈥攑art of a larger, 25-story office tower project known as 300 South Tryon that makes the local news on a near daily basis. But that may not even be the most high-profile project Beth has built in the Carolinas. She oversaw the interiors work for SPX鈥檚 Corporate Global Headquarters, a LEED Silver project that received a first-place Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas.
Speaking of awards, Beth helped another marquee project receive two of them. And considering the job鈥檚 difficulty, it鈥檚 little wonder the collective industry took notice. Beth led a talented team that put nearly 340,000 square feet of work in place in just nine months. It took 12+ hours, seven days a week to achieve the feat of craftsmanship that is the . 鈥淚 learned the power of maintaining a positive attitude and persevering,鈥 recalls Beth.
Though her portfolio primarily spans the private sector, Beth鈥檚 fondest memories are of a $200 million Central Campus for the Army Corps of Engineers. 鈥淚t was something new and different,鈥 she reminisces. And both qualities are key to Beth鈥檚 love of construction. 鈥淚 like the process of creating something from nothing. You鈥檙e never doing the same thing twice in this field.鈥
Given the demands of her all-consuming career, it鈥檚 tough to imagine Beth having time to pursue many hobbies or interests once she鈥檚 kicked off her (often muddy) steel-toe boots. But at the same time she鈥檚 meeting project milestones, she鈥檚 masterfully managing the schedules, routines and day-to-day organization of her family, which includes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah.
It鈥檚 safe to say Beth never dreamed of a path that didn鈥檛 include building. For those women contemplating a career that mirrors her own, Beth offers this advice, 鈥淏e passionate and take ownership of your work. Construction is all about following through from start to finish.鈥
While Beth is aware of the reality that she is both a woman of influence and a minority in a demanding and competitive industry, she鈥檚 always maintained a firm policy of checking her apologies at the trailer door, refusing to concede any assumption that she doesn鈥檛 belong. 鈥淚f you treat others the way you want to be treated鈥攚ith responsiveness and respect鈥攜ou earn both in the field. This really holds true for anything in life,鈥 she argues. Outspoken but fair, confident but compassionate, Beth Davis and women like her are the future of our industry.
Currently, Beth is the project manager of a $76 million hotel in Uptown Charlotte鈥攑art of a larger, 25-story office tower project known as 300 South Tryon that makes the local news on a near daily basis. But that may not even be the most high-profile project Beth has built in the Carolinas. She oversaw the interiors work for SPX鈥檚 Corporate Global Headquarters, a LEED Silver project that received a first-place Eagle Award from the Associated Builders and Contractors of the Carolinas.
Speaking of awards, Beth helped another marquee project receive two of them. And considering the job鈥檚 difficulty, it鈥檚 little wonder the collective industry took notice. Beth led a talented team that put nearly 340,000 square feet of work in place in just nine months. It took 12+ hours, seven days a week to achieve the feat of craftsmanship that is the . 鈥淚 learned the power of maintaining a positive attitude and persevering,鈥 recalls Beth.
Though her portfolio primarily spans the private sector, Beth鈥檚 fondest memories are of a $200 million Central Campus for the Army Corps of Engineers. 鈥淚t was something new and different,鈥 she reminisces. And both qualities are key to Beth鈥檚 love of construction. 鈥淚 like the process of creating something from nothing. You鈥檙e never doing the same thing twice in this field.鈥
Given the demands of her all-consuming career, it鈥檚 tough to imagine Beth having time to pursue many hobbies or interests once she鈥檚 kicked off her (often muddy) steel-toe boots. But at the same time she鈥檚 meeting project milestones, she鈥檚 masterfully managing the schedules, routines and day-to-day organization of her family, which includes her seven-year-old daughter, Savannah.
It鈥檚 safe to say Beth never dreamed of a path that didn鈥檛 include building. For those women contemplating a career that mirrors her own, Beth offers this advice, 鈥淏e passionate and take ownership of your work. Construction is all about following through from start to finish.鈥
While Beth is aware of the reality that she is both a woman of influence and a minority in a demanding and competitive industry, she鈥檚 always maintained a firm policy of checking her apologies at the trailer door, refusing to concede any assumption that she doesn鈥檛 belong. 鈥淚f you treat others the way you want to be treated鈥攚ith responsiveness and respect鈥攜ou earn both in the field. This really holds true for anything in life,鈥 she argues. Outspoken but fair, confident but compassionate, Beth Davis and women like her are the future of our industry.