Author: Wesleigh Mowry

Why We’re Proud to be Women in Construction

What does it take to build excellence? Grit, determination, and the incredible talent of women like those at Miles-McClellan. 

This Women in Construction Week, we’re spotlighting the talented women on our team whose dedication, skill, and commitment to building excellence are making a difference on their teams, in our communities, and throughout the industry. 

In recognition of their impact, we asked them to share why they’re proud to work in construction. From positively impacting the community to breaking barriers with confidence, hear directly from the women shaping the future of our industry. 

 

“I love being part of my hometown’s growth, and physically seeing the impact we have on our community. It’s awesome to see how we are improving Columbus, and I look forward to all the new and exciting projects we will take on.”

– Sarah Deger, Office Manager, Columbus

 

“I’m proud to work in the construction industry because I get to help build the community I call home. Contributing to projects that serve families, businesses, and future generations makes the work feel both purposeful and personal. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that the work we do today will positively impact others for years to come.”

–  Caroline McClellan, Project Administrator, Charlotte

 

“I’m proud to work in the construction industry because what we do makes a difference to people in their everyday lives, no matter what we build, from hospitals to schools, and even apartments or dorms. A lot of hard work goes into the construction, even if people don’t necessarily see all of the behind-the-scenes effort. So, when we win projects, or I drive past buildings that MM has worked on, I am proud of the teams that worked so hard to make them happen.”

–  Katie Schmidt, Proposal Coordinator, Columbus

 

“Construction is full of problem-solvers, doers, and leaders who take real ownership of their work and have knowledge or skillsets far outside of my own. From our field team members to the office teams, there’s a level of grit, teamwork, and camaraderie here that you don’t see everywhere. I am so proud to watch a project come together, knowing all the effort that went into it, because dozens of people aligned their talents toward one goal.”

–  Devin Stein, VP Human Resources

 

“We build the spaces and infrastructure that strengthen our communities and improve everyday lives. Supporting the teams in the field and behind the scenes allows me to see a project move from concept to completion, and I know I played a role in making it happen. It’s inspiring to be a part of an industry where women play such an important role in driving progress, delivering results, and shaping the future of construction.”

– Chacity Lindsay, Project Administrator, Charlotte

 

“I love being able to see projects go from an idea, to ground acquisition, to construction and finally to occupancy. I enjoy driving by sites where our teams are working, knowing we are changing skylines and growing our city, and seeing old spaces renewed and given new life. It makes me feel proud knowing that I am playing a part in building places that have purpose.”

–  Shonna Moore, Project Administrator, Columbus

 

“I’m proud to work in the construction industry because I get to support projects that create lasting impact in our communities. As a Senior Accountant, I help ensure the financial strength and accountability behind the work in the field, which allows our teams to build with confidence. Being part of an industry where women continue to break barriers and lead in new ways makes that impact even more meaningful.”

–  Amber Ryan, Senior Accountant

 

“I am proud to work in the construction industry because we have a positive impact on the community. The legacy of Miles McClellan as a family business is built on strong relationships with our partners. I am inspired by the different projects we have completed and excited for the work we will undertake in the future. While I continue to learn about the construction process, my understanding and appreciation for the work grow daily within the company.”

–  Jennifer Etter, AP Assistant

“I’m proud to work in a tough, respected industry that is fast-paced, high-pressure and detail-driven. Women in the construction industry are breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes and opening doors for other women. Whether you’re in the field, management or an admin, you’re part of building something real that took problem-solving, technical knowledge, teamwork and resilience to complete. Being part of that is something to be proud of!”

– Holly Cahill, Project Administrator

 

Interested in building your next career at Miles-McClellan? Visit our careers page to get started.

 

 

At Miles-McClellan Construction, we have always believed that we are more than just a construction company; we are builders of relationships. On December 1, 2025, we took a historic step to honor the people who build those relationships every day. We are proud to announce that Miles-McClellan has transitioned to becoming a 100% employee-owned company through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).

A Legacy of Doing Things Differently

Our story began in 1978, when our founders, Lonnie Miles and Terry McClellan, left a large international construction firm because they knew there was a better way to deliver work. They felt that large companies often let bureaucracy get in the way of customer service. They set out to build a company grounded in humility, hard work, and the goal of exceeding client expectations. 

For nearly 50 years, that philosophy has guided us. Today, with approximately 260 employees working across Columbus, Ohio, and Charlotte, North Carolina, we have grown steadily by sticking to those roots, building opportunities for long-term, rewarding careers at every level and corner of our company. 

Why Employee Ownership?

Transitioning to an ESOP is the natural evolution of our culture. It allows us to preserve our legacy while empowering our workforce to be the next generation of leaders. By paving the way for employees to strengthen their skills, move up into management, or even create entirely new teams and lines of business, the ESOP model allows Miles-McClellan employees to take an active role in forging their career paths.  

 “This company has always been family– focused. That means taking care of employees with good pay and benefits,” says CEO Matt McClellan. “Adding employee ownership takes that care to another level.” We believe in taking care of our team, providing benefits like 100% employer-paid medical coverage because we know life doesn’t stop when the workday ends. 

In simple terms, an ESOP is a retirement plan funded entirely by the company. It means that every employee now has a financial stake in how Miles-McClellan performs. As President Tim McClellan explains, our founders held a core belief: “if you work hard every day, you should be able to retire well.” This plan ensures our team has the opportunity to do exactly that. 

What This Means for Our Partners
For our clients and partners, it is business as usual — only better. The executive leadership team remains at the helm, and our dedication to solving complex construction challenges is stronger than ever.

Our team members have always taken immense pride in their work, often referring to the hospitals, schools, and community spaces we build as “my projects.” It’s why one of our core values is “Extreme Ownership,” and this transition brings that value to life in a new way.

When our employees succeed, the company succeeds, and our clients get the best results. We are excited to continue building excellence, now as a company owned by the very people who make it great.

 

Architecture Firm Billings and Reconstruction Trends: A significant portion of architecture firms report steady or increased work on reconstruction projects, focusing on modernization, adaptive reuse, and upgrades in building systems. However, challenges loom as billings have declined for 12 straight months, including securing agreements for larger projects, partly due to high interest rates.

ABC Construction Backlog and Confidence: The Construction Backlog Indicator showed a slight increase in September 2024, reflecting moderate confidence in future sales and profit margins despite economic headwinds. Contractors are optimistic about the easing of interest rates and material costs.

Dodge Momentum Index: The index, a leading indicator of nonresidential construction, declined by 4.2% in September due to a slowdown in data center projects, though institutional projects in education and healthcare saw growth. The index remains high, driven by institutional, education, healthcare, and recreational projects entering the planning queue.

Sector-Specific Forecasts:

• Nonresidential Construction: Expected to slow, with key drivers including economic factors like high office vacancy rates and reduced warehouse construction.
• Healthcare and Education: Stable investment levels are anticipated, with growth expected in late 2025. Education sector growth is projected due to bond measures and continued support for higher-education projects.
• Residential: Multifamily residential construction is forecasted to decline due to inventory surpluses and stable rental rates, while single-family residential shows signs of recovery.
• Manufacturing: Federal funding initiatives are expected to fuel a significant increase in construction investment in semiconductors, electric vehicles, and biomanufacturing sectors. However, talent shortages and supply chain issues pose challenges.

Outlook: The construction industry expects moderate growth through 2024, with slower expansion in sectors sensitive to interest rates. Anticipated federal rate cuts in 2025 may stimulate new projects, particularly in public safety, manufacturing, and amusement/recreation. Our report reflects a cautiously optimistic outlook, tempered by ongoing challenges related to high interest rates, supply chain constraints, and sector-specific issues like high office vacancies and the multifamily housing slowdown.