Each March, Women in Construction Week offers an opportunity to recognize the women who help shape and strengthen the construction industry. It is also a time to reflect on the progress that has been made and the opportunities still ahead.
At Crain Construction, supporting women in the industry is not something we think about for just one week each year. It is part of the company’s culture. For more than 90 years in Nashville, Crain has been built on trust, respect, and the belief that great projects come from strong teams. That environment has allowed many talented women to build lasting careers here and contribute to some of the region’s most notable commercial projects.
Crain’s Rich History of Women in Leadership
Women have played an important role in Crain’s story for decades. One early leader was Sherry Alredge, who represented the third generation of the Crain family to work in construction. In the early 1970s, Sherry joined the family business full time. At the time, women working in the industry were still rare.
After completing her education in business and construction, Sherry quickly became a trusted voice in the organization. Over the course of her 35-year career, she helped guide the business while earning the respect of colleagues, partners, and clients. Her experience set an example for the generations that followed.
Today, that legacy continues through women serving in key roles across the company. Julie Lamb leads Crain’s human resources team as director of human resources. Emily Knox serves as project accountant, helping manage the financial side of complex construction projects. Lora Markem works in the field as an assistant project manager, supporting project teams and coordinating critical work on active job sites.
Each of these women brings expertise, leadership, and perspective to the entire organization.
The Culture Behind Our Work
Crain’s culture is one of the reasons many employees choose to build long-term careers here. Our leadership team focuses on creating an environment where people are respected, trusted, and given the opportunity to grow.
Three principles guide that culture every day:
1. Respect for Every Role
Respect is more than a company value. It is part of how our team works together every day. Every employee’s contribution matters, whether they are working in the office or on the jobsite. That environment allows people to share ideas, ask questions, and build strong relationships across the company.
2. Trust and Ownership
Crain encourages employees to take ownership of their work. Team members are trusted to make decisions, develop their expertise, and contribute to the success of each project. That level of autonomy creates opportunities for women and men alike to step into leadership roles and grow their careers.
3. Intentional Investment in People
Crain also makes a deliberate effort to invest in our employees. The leadership team looks at individual strengths and career goals when making assignments and planning future opportunities.
“We do think about our employees individually as we make assignments and look at growth, as well as when we make business decisions,” shared Julie Lamb. “We’ve become even more intentional about development opportunities over the last few years, because we know that growth creates opportunity, not just for the business, but for the people who help build it.”
Advice for the Next Generation of Women Builders
For women interested in pursuing a career in construction today, Assistant Project Manager Lora Markem offers a simple piece of advice.
“Initially, don’t get discouraged,” she says. “As a woman in a male-dominated field, it can feel challenging when you’re first starting out. Be fierce and be prepared in your daily tasks. The respect will come when relationships are built.”
Lora has also seen encouraging changes across the industry.
“Opportunities for women are more open today than they ever have been,” she says. “Women are in the construction workforce, and we are builders.”
During a recent tour of the new Nissan Titans stadium project, she noticed something that stood out.
“About 24% of the construction workforce on that site were women. Tradeswomen, superintendents, project engineers, project managers. You can choose your own path.”
The Future of Construction Includes Everyone
Women in Construction Week reminds us how important it is to recognize the people who are helping shape the future of this industry.
At Crain Construction, we are proud of the women who have contributed to our history and those who continue to lead projects and teams today. Their dedication, knowledge, and leadership strengthen our company and the communities we serve.
If you would like to learn more about what makes Crain Construction a place where people can grow and thrive, we invite you to explore more about our team and our work across Nashville and Middle Tennessee.
