The Alaska Contractor: Fall 2006

Construction and her management
success with the fi rm continues.
“Many of the valuable skills learned
through that ‘hands on’ fi eld experience
have translated very well into the
management responsibilities I have
today,” Bartorillo said.
Has the construction industry “culture”
changed over the years?
“Women are more
accepted in the
construction industry
today, but there are still
stereotypes to overcome.
It requires hard work
and ‘tough skin,’
but it’s challenging,
exciting and rewarding
both fi nancially and
personally.”
– Sandra Bartorillo
“Slowly, but I have seen defi nite
progress,” she said. “Women are more
accepted in the construction industry
today, but there are still stereotypes to
overcome. It requires hard work and
‘tough skin,’ but it’s challenging, exciting
and rewarding both fi nancially and
personally.
Thirty years ago, drafting and shop
classes were not open for girls at Bartorillo’s
high school, she said.
“Careers in the construction industry
were not encouraged or presented
as options,” she said.
After federal affi rmative action legislation
was passed in 1965, opportunities
for women started opening up
in the construction industry.
“Women started challenging the
stereotypes and shattering all the
myths that they just couldn’t do the
work. Today we see women succeeding
in all types of construction careers.”
Can women do the work?
“Absolutely, we’ve proven that we
can,” she said.
Senior Editor Heather A. Resz is the
sole proprietor of the contract writing
business, Infi nite Designs.
50 The Alaska CONTRACTOR Fall 2006