Women Pioneers in Precast Concrete: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges

In the heart of Winchester, Virginia, Karen Juratovac maneuvers through the daily challenges of her job with tenacity and expertise. As the Quality Control Manager, Karen is no stranger to the demanding tasks of her role, whether it's testing concrete or vacuum testing septic tanks. For nearly a decade, Karen has been an indispensable asset to the company, leveraging her experience and dedication to ensure every pour meets the company’s expectations.

Reflecting on her journey, Karen reminisces about her unexpected path into the precast concrete industry.

"I never saw myself in the position I’m currently in," she admits with a chuckle. "I didn’t even think I would pass the tests. I haven’t been in school since 1979, but here I am. My job is fun and different every day, and I like that I’m not behind a desk all day. I’m filthy dirty after the day's work."

Karen's commitment and expertise have played a pivotal role in leading Winchester to an outstanding NPCA annual audit score, a remarkable achievement for the Virginia branch.

"That comes from my secretary background of being organized and having all my paperwork filed, accurate, and up to date.”

Over at Eastern Vault in Princeton, West Virginia, Balinda Cox shares a similar journey of resilience and determination. Starting as a receptionist, Balinda swiftly ascended through the ranks, donning multiple hats, and mastering various aspects of the business. Today, she stands as a beacon of knowledge and leadership, readily sought after by both colleagues and customers for her guidance and expertise.

"I’ve had my hands in everything," she recalls.

Balinda moved up to sales manager and office manager simultaneously from knowing both sides of the business. Now 17 years later and serving as the Prestress Project Manager, Balinda is still amazed when she sees the bridge beams leave the yard, knowing all the work that went into that structure.

Ashley Pitzer, the Sales Assistant at Seminole Precast in Debary, Florida knows that feeling well.  

“Sometimes I’ll be out and about, and I’ll look at a precast structure and say ‘Oh, look what my friends made,” said Ashley.

Ashley has worked at Seminole for the past three years, and although she knew nothing about precast concrete before she started, she surprises herself with how much she knows now.

“It was really helpful because when I first started working here, I had a million questions, and no one was ever annoyed by the questions I asked. Anytime, I’ve ever wanted to understand something, no one has made me feel dumb. They’ve just taught me. Now I can tell you all about K-Wall.”

Over at MST in Central, South Carolina, Project Manager Isabella Schatz has embraced the challenges of being a minority in her field with optimism and tenacity.

“I graduated with a petroleum engineering degree from the Colorado School of Mines and my school’s ratio was only 30 percent women,” said Isabella.

Isabella enjoys getting to use her engineering skills in her everyday work from drawings to her CAD program. She hopes to see more females enter the workforce in the future.

“I think a huge reason why girls don’t end up in STEM is because when you’re younger, girls tend to get steered away from the math and sciences. In college, we did a lot of outreach days with Girl Scouts and different groups to get girls interested in these subjects.”

Although she is one of the few, Isabella isn’t the only female engineer at Evercast.  

Lynda Jensen started her role as an account manager for the North Carolina plants just this year, but she brings with her 34 years of experience. Despite starting her engineering journey later in life, Lynda's diverse knowledge and unwavering commitment serve as an inspiration to all.

"I got my engineering degree late," she reveals. "I started about 17 years after high school and got it 10 years later. I went to school while working full time and raising my kids."

Lynda has held diverse positions spanning environmental engineering, transportation, real estate, and design. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with a multitude of individuals, honing her skills and expertise across various fields.

“My advice for women would be to not be afraid, be straightforward, and always prioritize safety. Don’t be afraid to stand up and speak up.”

These women, with their diverse backgrounds and unwavering dedication, exemplify the spirit of Evercast. They are not just employees; they are trailblazers, breaking barriers and building a brighter future for the construction industry. As we celebrate International Women's Day, we honor their contributions and look forward to welcoming more women into the fold, shaping a more inclusive and equitable workforce for generations to come.

Article by Corinne McGrath