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Up & Coming: Erin Brownlee November/December 2008 Making It Work in Tennessee Q&A with project manager Erin Brownlee By H.L. Hild
Constructor: What does your firm do? Brownlee: We are a drywall subcontractor that specializes in light-gauge metal stud framing, drywall installation, finishing and acoustic specialties. Constructor: Are you seeing a slowdown in work because of the uncertain economy? Brownlee: Locally, no, we really have not seen a major slowdown. We have had to be more careful about the types of projects we pursue and also had to go outside our normal geographic region. Previously, we did most of our work in and around Knoxville, but recently we have taken on work elsewhere in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky. Pursuing these markets has allowed us to build relationships with general contractors that we would otherwise not have had the opportunity to work with. Because of this, we have actually seen our business continue to grow over the last 12 to 18 months. Constructor: Why did you choose a career in construction? Brownlee: Honestly, I originally wasn’t planning on construction. My father started this company in 1986, so I grew up working in the office during my summer breaks. When I was a junior in college and decided to change my major, he came to me, with a bit of urging from others within the company, and offered me a position here. Working for family just seemed to feel natural. Constructor: What has been the biggest part of your learning curve so far? Brownlee: Being accepted in the construction industry as a woman, fresh out of college, and [being] the owner’s daughter. Knoxville wasn’t a large market for women in construction 12 years ago. Often, contractors would call my father or the other estimator in the office before they would ask me for a response to a bid. Several times I would get overlooked in meetings or questions would be asked of my superintendents and not me until I could “prove” myself capable and qualified. Just being honest and working by the principles that my dad started this business on has enabled me to help in the growth and success of our company. Constructor: What’s the best part of your job? Brownlee: I love knowing that something I have had a hand in has and will make a difference in the lives of so many people around our region, from projects such as East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, which works miracles every day, to South College and the University of Tennessee. These buildings are so much more than brick and mortar or studs and sheetrock. They are teaching our future generations and saving lives. What a feeling to know that you’re playing a role in something so important in Knoxville’s future. Constructor: What has surprised you most about working in this industry? Brownlee: My ever-increasing passion for this industry and for my company. Before graduating in finance, my major was vocal performance and vocal education. I wanted to be a professional performer and a voice teacher. How much further can you get from construction? In the fall of 1996, when my dad asked me to consider working for him, I originally said yes because I just couldn’t tell him no. But since then, my passion for this job, the construction industry as a whole and the people I work with just keeps growing. As I watch this company succeed and our employees prosper as individuals and families, I can’t help but be proud. I think that my passion for the construction industry is largely what has led me to take on active roles within the AGC Construction Leadership Council and various other construction organizations. Despite the pressure and stresses of the industry and also those that come from working for a family business, I can’t see myself ever doing anything else. Constructor: What’s the toughest project you’ve worked on and why? Brownlee: The toughest project is the Jack Case Center for BWXT/Y-12 in Oak Ridge, Tenn. The center is a new building replacing numerous office buildings for the BWXT/Y-12 facilities of the National Nuclear Security Administration and the weapons complex. When we were awarded the project in February 2006, it was the single-largest contract that The Wakefield Corp. had ever signed. That alone would have been enough to make me nervous, but the schedule had us employing over 100 men at the peak of construction and hanging and finishing over one million sq ft of drywall in six months. Our ability to complete the project within the owner’s schedule and below budget has allowed us to pursue and construct even larger projects with the utmost confidence. We have since signed a contract for almost $13 million with the same general contractor, an amount equal to our total volume just four years ago. Constructor: What are the biggest challenges facing the construction industry? Brownlee: The lack of skilled workers. We are seeing an aging population in our industry, and the younger generation just does not seem to be coming up into this field at a pace that can match [the need]. It has been taught to many of the younger generation that construction isn’t a field they should pursue, and they need to look into more “professional” fields. Therefore, the skilled and talented workers just aren’t coming into construction at a rate to match those that are retiring. We need to do a better job of promoting the positives of a trade-related field and strive to give them the best training available to teach and retain them. Constructor: What can young industry leaders do to help solve those problems? Brownlee: We need to be out in the middle schools and high schools, actively talking to these kids. By promoting the AGC Build-Up kits and hosting Career Days events in your area, you can reach students, faculty and parents. In our area, as kids start high school, they’re required to pick a track for their high school career, either professional or technical. We need to reach these students and their parents at an early age to help them realize just how important trade careers are, how far you can go and how much you can achieve. Constructor: What is the value of AGC and its programs in helping to develop young constructors like you? Brownlee: AGC is invaluable to young professionals in the construction industry. From something as simple as a monthly luncheon, you can network with other members that have been in the trenches, so to speak, and hear how they have succeeded or what they have learned over the years. In construction, it is something new every day, but you can rest assured that someone, somewhere, has experienced what you’re going through, and that network of peers and leaders is important. Being as deeply involved on a local, state and even national level with YCF/CLC [Young Constructors Forum/Construction Leadership Council] has been crucial in my growth as a professional in the industry. The state and national exposure and networking with peers across the country has been outstanding. It’s nice to know that I can pick up the phone and call people from Colorado to New York and talk to them about construction-related issues. As a young constructor, they’re facing the same issues.
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