NAWIC names new president, board members

The National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), Fort Worth, Texas, has named a new president as well as new officers and directors to its board for 2016-2017.

NAWIC selected Connie Leipard, CIT, as the group’s 62nd president during its Annual Meeting and Education Conference in San Antonio, Texas, Aug. 19, 2016. Leipard, owner of Quality Drywall Construction, has been a member of NAWIC’s Central Missouri Chapter since 1995.

“NAWIC is poised to make a positive impact in the construction industry by focusing our resources on member career development through leadership opportunities, education and networking,” says Leipard. “The 2016-2017 NAWIC national board is committed to making a difference by implementing effective training programs for our members. In addition, we will increase engagement with construction employers to determine future training programs. Our efforts will lead to greater success in recruiting and retaining women in the industry.”

Leipard says her goals for the upcoming year include providing training resources for chapter leaders and individual members to promote personal, professional and association growth; continuing succession planning for the upcoming retirement of NAWIC’s executive vice president; and implementing a national marketing program.

Leipard’s theme for her year in office is “Support – Encourage – Grow.” She says she wants to, “remind members of the opportunities we have through NAWIC to make a difference in the industry and for the women employed in it. As we support, encourage and grow, the influence of women in the industry will increase.”

NAWIC also named new board officers, including President-Elect Catherine D. Schoenenberger, Granite State Chapter, New Hampshire; Vice President Dove Sifers-Putman, CBT, Charlotte, North Carolina, Chapter; Treasurer Anne Pfleger, CIT, Lima, Ohio Area Chapter; Secretary Diane I. Mike, CBT, Fort Worth, Texas, Chapter; and Immediate Past President Riki F. Lovejoy, CBT, CIT, Greater Orlando, Florida, Chapter.

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: 

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  • Midwest Region Director Vickie Nickel, CIT, Greater Kansas City, Missouri, Chapter; 
  • North Central Region Director Jenny Mangas, Cincinnati, Ohio, 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, Nevada, Chapter. 

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

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  • Pacific Northwest Region Director Ruth Fritts, Boise, Idaho, Chapter; 
  • South Atlantic Region Director Lorie Lythgoe, Richmond, Virginia, Chapter; 
  • South Central Region Director Dena Rowland, Fort Worth, Texas, Chapter; and 
  • Southeast Region Director Angelia McElroy, CIT, Tampa, Florida, Chapter.

NAWIC is an international association serving 124 chapters across the United States. It was founded as Women in Construction of Fort Worth, Texas, in 1953 to enhance the success of women in the construction industry. In 1955, the charter was expanded to allow chapters to form across the country, creating NAWIC. The association has expanded to include international affiliates in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.