NAWIC installs 2017-2018 board members, president

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Fort Worth, Texas, has installed Catherine Schoenenberger as its 63rd national president.

NAWIC members elected new board members during its annual meeting and education conference in Anaheim, California, Aug. 16-19, 2017.

Schoenenberger, owner of Stay Safe Traffic Products Inc., has been a member of NAWIC’s Granite State Chapter since 2008.

In addition to a new national president, NAWIC also installed officers President-Elect Dove Sifers-Putman, CBT, Charlotte, North Carolina, Chapter; Vice President Diane I. Mike, CBT, Fort Worth, Texas Chapter; Treasurer Anne Pfleger, CIT, Lima, Ohio, Area Chapter; Secretary Jill Hanson, CIT, Tampa, Florida, Chapter; and Immediate Past President Connie Leipard, CIT, Central Missouri Chapter.

“The 2017–2018 national board of directors is comprised of women of diverse talents, skills, backgrounds and generations, too,” says Schoenenberger. “She is a professional engineer, a CEO, a corporate president. She manages risk, and sites and projects. She’s the ‘go to’ and the ‘know-how.’ She is every woman and every woman in construction. NAWIC not only has a solid plan of action, we have a board of dynamic construction professionals to accomplish it.”

In addition to the officers, the NAWIC board is comprised of a director from each of the association’s eight regions. Each director serves a two-year term and is elected by her peers to bring the wishes and needs of the chapters to the attention of the association. New directors installed include:

• Pacific Northwest Region Director Lauline Mitchell, San Francisco, California, Chapter;
• South Atlantic Region Director Kristey Stewart, CIT, Durham, North Carolina, Chapter;
• South Central Region Director Laurie Jimenez, CBT, Houston, Texas, Chapter; and
• Southeast Region Director Karen Hager, CBT, CIT, Greater Orlando, Florida, Chapter.

NAWIC region directors serving the second year of their term include:

• Midwest Region Director Vickie Nickel, CIT, Greater Kansas City, Missouri, Chapter;
• North Central Region Director Jenny Mangas, Cincinnati Chapter;
• Northeast Region Director Doreen Bartoldus, P.E., CCM, Lower Hudson, New York, Chapter; and
• Pacific Southwest Region Director Elizabeth M. Teramoto, CIT, Las Vegas Chapter.

In other NAWIC news, the association has announced its Executive Vice President, Dede Hughes, has retired after more than 21 years with the group.

Hughes joined NAWIC in January 1996.

“We wish Dede Hughes our very best with her retirement from NAWIC,” says Schoenenberger. “She’s witnessed and lived much of the her-story of this association, and gave us an incredible foundation on which to build. Thank you, Dede, for your many years as our executive vice president, colleague and friend. We look forward to your role as a ‘retired member at large’ and your continued passion for NAWIC.”

NAWIC’s Immediate Past President Connie Leipard, CIT, says, “Retirement is an opportunity to experience life in a new way, opening doors to be an influencer in another path. I have no doubt that Dede will enjoy a remarkable retirement, investing in the lives of those around her.”

Leipard credits Hughes with helping NAWIC attain its current position. She adds, “Dede has been solid, steady and wise in guiding NAWIC’s board of directors to build a foundation of financial strength and service to members and their employers.”

Leipard continues, “Dede’s legacy is built on her commitment and personal belief in the core purpose of NAWIC. Dede understands the importance of NAWIC, embraced the spirit of the founders of NAWIC and reinforced that message for more than 20 years. It is vitally important for the executive of an association to believe in the power of the mission. Dede continues to display her belief in us.”

Hughes adds, “I have loved NAWIC and its mission from the beginning. I have the upmost respect for women in the construction industry.”

Beth Brooks, CAE, will succeed Hughes as NAWIC’s executive vice president. Brooks is an association professional and advisor on governance, board orientation and strategic planning. She previously served as the chief executive of the Texas Pest Control Association and the Texas Society of Association Executives.

NAWIC is an association serving 121 chapters across the United States. It was founded in 1953 to enhance the success of women in the construction industry.