Deconstruction

VCC

Welcome to Deconstruction, the VCC Media Channel. Join us for thought leadership on how we can build better, together.

  1. 04/05/2023 · VIDEO

    The Foundational Considerations of Good Field Safety Leadership with Scott Anders

    In any project or initiative, those leading it set the tone. When expectations are unclear, or leadership doesn’t set them, failures can happen. And that’s not what anyone wants on a jobsite. Talking about good field safety leadership, Deconstruction with VCC host Tyler Kern spoke with the company’s Safety Director Scott Anders. “Leadership needs to set expectations before any work even starts. Nothing is status quo because construction is inherently dangerous. Every conversation should include safety,” Anders says.  Keeping safety top of mind requires communication, training, and reiteration. Without these things, safety may seem secondary to other aspects of the project. Unfortunately, that mindset can derail safety and cause failures in the field, which could have significant consequences. For leaders managing projects, Anders counseled that safety has to remain a priority. “Leaders have to manage safety, production, and quality together. One cannot be put in front of another.” Rhetoric on the job site should always include policies, procedures, and regulations. Besides verbal reminders, Anders also recommended investing in field safety training. “It should be a high priority. We expect that someone can do the job they were hired to do, but we need to always get all workers up to speed on safety topics.” Such an investment in training isn’t just for the workers. Anders noted that leaders also need to refreshers on safety to continue to create a culture that places it at the forefront.

    6 min
  2. Women in Construction Featuring Nancy Rodriguez

    03/10/2023

    Women in Construction Featuring Nancy Rodriguez

    Women’s History Month, which kicks off each March after its official designation in 1987, is a great time to recognize the importance and value of women in the workforce. Construction is one industry striving to welcome more women into its field. As of 2020, women comprised only 9% of the construction industry. Celebrating its 35th year in the building and construction industry, VCC looks to highlight the many contributions of the women leading the construction movement with its spotlight series, VCC Women in Construction. Host Michelle Dawn Mooney got recently acquainted with one such leader, Nancy Rodriguez, VCC’s Senior Risk Manager. Rodriguez joined VCC nine years ago as an assistant risk manager, and she’s continued her work with VCC up through her current role. Rodriguez spoke with Mooney about her construction career journey. Their discussion includes: How Rodriguez’s father’s masonry background influenced her interest in pursuing a construction careerThe aspects of Rodriguez’s job that motivate herThe rewarding aspects of being a woman in construction“We’re problem solvers, as women, and so my perspective on many things is what gets it done,” Rodriguez said. “That is very rewarding because we target problems differently as women. Most of us are multitaskers; we have children and schedules to try to be at work and coordinate school and events. It’s rewarding to me to be able to know I have a handle on what’s happening in my department, and I feel fulfilled.” Nancy Rodriguez is a risk management specialist with experience in construction risk and insurance. Rodriguez is also a notary public in Arkansas and received her BS in Biology/Biological Sciences from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

    10 min
  3. Women in Construction Spotlight Featuring Gabby Saenz

    03/09/2023

    Women in Construction Spotlight Featuring Gabby Saenz

    A recent study highlighted six major challenges faced by women in the construction industry. The construction industry is a traditionally male-dominated field, but there are many career opportunities for women who are interested in the construction industry. On today’s episode of the VCC Women in Construction miniseries, host Gabrielle Bejarano speaks with Gabby Saenz, Project Manager with VCC Construction, to discuss the involvement and experiences of women in the construction industry. Saenz developed an interest in construction from a young age, when she would accompany her aunt, an architect, to building sites. She eventually pursued a career in the field and is now a fully-fledged project manager in the industry, which is a significant accomplishment for her and an inspiration for women looking to pursue a career in construction. Bejarano and Saenz discussed: Challenges within the construction industryExperience working in the construction industry as a womanIs it worth having a career as a woman in the construction industry?“The best part of being in construction is seeing projects evolve and come to life from the designs on the paper to an actual building. A career in the construction industry is a great choice. It is rewarding and fulfilling to see a project evolve from designs to actual buildings. Imagine driving by a project you worked on, you will feel proud as a member of the team. Women can be significant members in the construction industry - women need to be proud of their work, let their abilities speak for them and never be afraid to speak up,” explained Saenz. Saenz received her B.S. degree in Architecture and B.S. degree in Construction Science and Management from The University of Texas at San Antonio. Saenz has been working at VCC since 2015.

    7 min
  4. 03/06/2023 · VIDEO

    Women in Construction Spotlight Featuring Michelle Luce-Gilson

    Females encompass only 14 percent of the construction industry’s employees. However, that number is only expected to grow as women take on more engineering and leadership roles. What is it like to work in the construction industry as a female leader, and how can other women make a career in this industry? On today’s episode of the VCC Women in Construction Spotlight Series, Host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with Michelle Luce-Gilson, Corporate Scheduler at VCC Construction, to discuss Luce-Gilson’s responsibilities, her experience as a female in the construction industry, and how the industry has changed throughout her career. Mooney and Luce-Gilson also discussed… What Luce-Gilson does on a day-to-day basis as a scheduler and her experience as a female in a male-dominated industryWhat changes Luce-Gilson has noticed over the years in the construction industryAdvice for women who may be hesitant about working in constructionHow can females figure out the best role for them in the construction industry? “Do something you really love in construction. To get started, do anything in construction and try to figure out where your place is and then go with it,” Luce-Gilson stated. “The industry offers a lot—a really wide array of roles. It’s not just the operations side where there’s people physically building things,” she added. Michelle Luce-Gilson is Corporate Scheduler at VCC Construction and has previously worked in roles such as Scheduling Manager and Senior Project Scheduler at VCC. Luce-Gilson has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and is a certified Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) per the AACE International.

    10 min
  5. Women in Construction Spotlight Series Featuring Michelle Luce-Gilson

    03/06/2023

    Women in Construction Spotlight Series Featuring Michelle Luce-Gilson

    Females encompass only 14 percent of the construction industry’s employees. However, that number is only expected to grow as women take on more engineering and leadership roles. What is it like to work in the construction industry as a female leader, and how can other women make a career in this industry? On today’s episode of the VCC Women in Construction Spotlight Series, Host Michelle Dawn Mooney speaks with Michelle Luce-Gilson, Corporate Scheduler at VCC Construction, Project Scheduler for VCC, to discuss Luce-Gilson’s responsibilities, her experience as a female in the construction industry, and how the industry has changed throughout her career. Mooney and Luce-Gilson also discussed… What Luce-Gilson does on a day-to-day basis as a scheduler and her experience as a female in a male-dominated industryWhat changes Luce-Gilson has noticed over the years in the construction industryAdvice for women who may be hesitant about working in constructionHow can females figure out the best role for them in the construction industry? “Do something you really love in construction. To get started, do anything in construction and try to figure out where your place is and then go with it,” Luce-Gilson stated. “The industry offers a lot—a really wide array of roles. It’s not just the operations side where there’s people physically building things,” she added. Michelle Luce-Gilson is Corporate Scheduler at VCC Construction and has previously worked in roles such as Scheduling Manager and Senior Project Scheduler at VCC. Luce-Gilson has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and is a certified Planning and Scheduling Professional (PSP) per the AACE International.

    11 min

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Welcome to Deconstruction, the VCC Media Channel. Join us for thought leadership on how we can build better, together.