Three Decades of Building, Learning, and Leading

Thirty years. That’s how long I’ve been at the helm of ProTech Coatings and Infrastructure. Some days it feels like it’s flown by in a blink. Other days, it feels like I’ve lived five lives inside one career. From the early days of managing job sites while learning the difference between epoxy and elastomerics, to today’s complex infrastructure projects and leadership strategy sessions, it’s been a ride I wouldn’t trade for anything.

This anniversary has given me time to reflect—not just on how far ProTech has come, but on what I’ve learned along the way. Leadership, for me, has always come down to two things: grit and grace. You need both to survive, and you need both to lead well.

Getting Started Before I Felt Ready

When I joined ProTech in the early 90s, the industry wasn’t exactly overflowing with women leaders. Especially not in waterproofing, coatings, and heavy infrastructure. But I had a degree in architecture, a hunger to build something meaningful, and a vision I couldn’t ignore.

I started out doing everything—sales, operations, scheduling, even hands-on coating inspections. I was learning on the fly, making mistakes, asking questions, and showing up every day determined to do better than the day before.

Was I ready? Not really. But sometimes the best way to lead is to start before you feel fully prepared—and grow into it.

Growth Isn’t Always Glamorous

It’s easy to talk about growth in terms of big contracts and revenue. And yes, we’ve had plenty of that at ProTech. We’ve expanded our services, added new divisions, and taken on projects that once felt out of reach. But the most meaningful growth hasn’t been the stuff that makes headlines.

It’s been watching junior team members rise into leadership roles. It’s been building relationships with clients that span decades. It’s been adjusting course when new technologies or regulations came along and changed everything we thought we knew.

Real growth is quiet, steady, and often hard-earned. It’s what happens when you commit to showing up even on the hard days.

Industry Transformation from the Inside Out

The infrastructure world has changed dramatically since I started. Technology has redefined how we diagnose, repair, and maintain everything from bridge decks to parking structures. Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s expected. Clients want more transparency, better communication, and longer-lasting results.

At ProTech, we’ve had to evolve constantly. We’ve embraced cold-applied membranes, non-toxic sealants, digital project tracking, and lean management strategies. But more than the tools, the biggest shift has been in mindset.

We don’t just fix problems anymore—we help our clients prevent them. We think in terms of lifecycles, long-term planning, and community impact. That transformation didn’t happen overnight, but it’s been one of the most exciting parts of this journey.

Balancing Leadership with Life

I won’t sugarcoat it: balancing business ownership with motherhood, marriage, and personal growth hasn’t been easy. Raising my daughter Claire—who is now a competitive show jumper—while running a company taught me about time, priorities, and the art of delegation.

There were years when I didn’t sleep much. Years when the barn and the boardroom both needed me at the same time. But somehow, we made it work.

I learned that grace doesn’t mean being soft—it means leading with empathy, staying grounded, and being honest about your limits. Grit gets you through the storm. Grace helps you bring people with you.

The Power of People

One of the greatest privileges of my career has been working with people who care. Our crews, office staff, project managers, and foremen—these are the heart of ProTech. They show up in extreme heat, in pouring rain, under tight deadlines, and always give their best.

And our clients? Many have become friends. We’ve weathered recessions, navigated supply shortages, and celebrated ribbon-cuttings together. Trust, respect, and collaboration have always been at the core of how we work.

You can’t build a strong company without strong relationships. Period.

The Milestones That Matter Most

Yes, I’m proud of the big contracts. The highway jobs. The landmark structures we’ve helped preserve. But the moments that stick with me aren’t always the flashy ones.

It’s hiring someone straight out of trade school and watching them become a site superintendent.
It’s hearing a client say, “You saved us more than money—you saved our timeline and our sanity.”
It’s walking through a finished project knowing we did it the right way, even when it was the harder way.

Those are the milestones that matter most.

What I’d Tell My Younger Self

If I could go back and talk to the woman I was in 1993, I’d tell her this:

• You don’t have to have all the answers. Just keep asking the right questions.
  
• Don’t be afraid to take up space in rooms where you’re the only woman. You belong.
  
• Lead with your values. Everything else will fall into place.
  
• You’re stronger than you think—but it’s okay to ask for help.
  

Looking Ahead with Purpose

Even after 30 years, I’m still excited about what’s next. There are new challenges on the horizon—climate change, aging infrastructure, and a younger workforce that’s redefining what leadership looks like. I’m here for it.

ProTech will continue to grow, evolve, and serve. And I’ll keep leading with the same grit and grace that brought us this far.

Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: when you lead from the heart, the impact lasts long after the project is done.