Meet three women leading the way in 2023
March isn’t just Women’s History Month. The 25th annual Women in Construction Week also takes place March 5-11. It is a wonderful time to feature the great initiatives and work of women within our industry. We’ve highlighted three women who have risen to the leading roles of Madam President in their respective local associations.
President Becky Rieger, Olympia Master Builders (OMB)
After earning a degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Becky Rieger entered the building industry in 2004, working for a local designer in Centralia. In 2010, she and her husband took the leap and opened their own company, Environmental Design, LLC, in Centralia.
Over the last 12 years, their business has continued to grow, conducting feasibility studies and wetland studies and developing septic designs. Rieger also serves as the Southwest Washington Representative for Washington On-site Sewage Association (WOSSA).
In 2011, Rieger joined OMB and in 2016 she became an OMB board member. After working her way through the ranks, she took the helm as the fourth female president of OMB.
Rieger is a dedicated member always finding ways to support OMB and regional building efforts. Her primary focus is involving the younger generation in the trades and education outreach. In her spare time, she can be found running in and volunteering for Lewis County’s Run Amok Club and supporting local charity fundraisers.
President Sharla Jones, Spokane Home Builders Association (SHBA)
Corporate sales manager for Greenstone Homes located in Liberty Lake, Sharla Jones recently became the third female president of SHBA, the first since 2001. An active participant in SHBA committees and events for many years, Jones has worked her way through SHBA’s leadership chairs to the top role.
In her role at Greenstone Homes, Jones leads the sales team for one of the largest home and neighborhood builders in the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene market. Greenstone has participated in SHBA’s New Home Tour every year since its inception in 2005 and has received dozens of industry and people’s choice awards for the quality of their homes.
Jones has actively participated in SHBA’s Fall Festival of Homes committee for the past few years, including serving as chair. She is also very active on SHBA’s events committee and was the key driver behind their 75th-anniversary celebration campaign.
A true leader, Jones is a great supporter of SHBA priorities. One of her recent contributions was engaging Greenstone in the Frame Your Future workforce development program as a founding donor. She has also brought her design background to SHBA’s office renovation project, where she is working to ensure the final look is a good representative of SHBA.
President Traci Tenhulzen, Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS)
In December, Traci Tenhulzen of Woodinville-based Tenhulzen Residential Design Build Remodeling was installed as the seventh female president of MBAKS in its 114-year history. She has been a highly active member of MBAKS for 25 years, and a member of the board for the last three years.
“I appreciate the unique position that I am in being a female in a male-dominated industry,” Tenhulzen said.
Tenhulzen began her career in the building industry in 2001. As owner and founder of an audit, training and safety company, she developed a network of commercial contractors, homebuilders and heavy equipment operators.
In 2007, Tenhulzen sold her company and began working with her husband, Michael Tenhulzen, in the remodeling business. In 2012, they strengthened their industry partnership and became co-owners of Tenhulzen Residential Design Build Remodeling, the family business.
Tenhulzen credits her success to preparing for each day and each job by leaving no stone unturned. She asks questions, does research, and relies on her years of sales and customer service experience. Her theme for her 2023 leadership year is “Root Connection – Together We Are Stronger.”
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