In celebration of Women in Construction Week, RENCO has revealed its group of amazing women who have been helping the company with its unique building style. The company applauded the women for what they have achieved and received insight from them on what it means to be a woman in construction.
According to the company:
A revolutionary way to build, with real-life LEGO bricks, is disrupting the construction industry, and a group of women are playing a key role in making this innovation happen. This Women in Construction Week, March 3-9, Coastal Construction and RENCO USA are celebrating the seven women who helped complete the first project in America with RENCO’s new building system in Palm Beach County, Fla.
“As a woman working in the construction industry for more than 30 years, I’ve seen so much change, but simplifying building with a real-life LEGO building system is one of the most innovative projects I’ve helped move forward,” said Lisa Hamilton, Coastal Construction vice president. “By building with RENCO, we are making structures stronger and more sustainable. As we face intensifying storms and the threats of climate change, it is rewarding to know we are creating stronger homes and buildings that can last for generations to come.”
Coastal Construction’s Lisa Hamilton (vice president); Karlie Fike (Coastal Construction Family of Companies business development); Veronica Velarde (senior project engineer); Sharon Mitchell (contractor administrator); Julie Adams (senior creative lead) Silvana Patino (executive assistant); Lori Weingarten (executive assistant) — are the ladies behind the successful construction with RENCO at Lakewood Village.
“To have success as a woman in construction, you’ve got to be a total team player and believe in what you're doing. While I work behind the scenes, I’m able to help connect the dots in research, special projects, and compliance,” said Lori Weingarten, RENCO USA executive assistant. “My belief in RENCO’s inventive, outside-the-box, approach and the people I work with, motivate me on a daily basis.”
The reality is just about 10 percent of construction jobs are held by women. For more than 25 years, Women in Construction Week has celebrated and promoted the role of women in the construction industry. This year's theme, Keys to the Future celebrates the strength and knowledge of women and the vital role they play in shaping the future of the construction industry. Karlie Fike is one of them and is known as one of the few women advancing new technology in construction, from using artificial intelligence to building with RENCO USA.
“It is rewarding to work on innovation from the ground up, starting with an idea and ending with a revolutionary way to build. Construction is challenging and there are always unexpected hurdles along the way,” Karlie Fike, Coastal Construction Family of Companies business development executive and sales and marketing coordinator for RENCO USA. “But we hope to show the next generation of young women entering our industry that this is a career to consider—especially if you love managing complexity and seeing the tangible results of teamwork.”
RENCO is one of those innovations. Made with repurposed resins, glass fibers, and naturally occurring elements, the renewable composite material is certified to withstand Category 5 hurricanes. The building system uses interlocking molded blocks similar to LEGO bricks, reduces costs significantly, and allows for rapid construction. At Lakewood Village, 11 unskilled workers assembled each of the three-story buildings in about eight weeks, following color-coded plans. After more than 12 years of research and development, RENCO USA completed its inaugural apartment complex last November, having successfully passed more than 400 safety tests to design and install its products under the International Building Code.
It’s been a labor of love for the women behind this project.
“When I talk to young women about working in construction, I tell them that I love what I do and that our industry has a role fit for them. They can do anything they’re dedicated to and passionate about; there are no limits,” Fike added.
