We're celebrating our amazing employees during our 50th anniversary year, highlighting team members who have helped make KEPHART who we are today.
This month we're introducing you to Principal and Director of Contract Administration and Quality Control, Nicole Williams.
What brought you to KEPHART?
I had worked for various contractors, developers and architects in several roles before the Great Recession hit. I did design/build, straight construction, traditional architecture, and then I got my dream job of being an Owner’s Rep. so, when I was laid off, I decided to look for a place where I could see myself retiring. I found KEPHART and loved that they had a team dedicated to managing the construction of projects. That is what really piqued my interest. It seemed like a great fit personally and professionally, and now I’ve been here for more than a decade.
Why KEPHART?
Shortly after I started, Paul Campbell recognized my potential to be a good leader for our Contract Administration team. We co-led for a while, and now I’m proud to be the CA team lead. In fact, my team has several strong women. The construction industry is hard in general, and women are still underrepresented in the field, so it is awesome having the team we do.
Many architecture firms stop showing interest in supporting projects at the end of the design phase. KEPHART follows projects through until the very end. Every day I’m able to problem solve in the field while using my architectural background. Even though I’m the head of the department and split my time between CA and Quality Control, I don’t let go of managing projects because I don’t ever want to give up the thrill of figuring out what’s best for the project, what’s best for the design, and what’s best for the residents. Being part of a team that provides a good home for someone is my daily reward.
Over the years, the people I work with have truly become like family to me. It did not take long to realize I was going to spend the rest of my career here.
What is your favorite KEPHART project?
My first and favorite project was Kent Place in Denver, Colorado for Forum Real Estate Group. It wasn’t a typical project for KEPHART at the time, but Paul Campbell knew it could be the first of many. And it was. He told me not to worry about how much time I was spending on the project or how much time I was spending in the field. It was a challenging project, but those two things opened the door for me to really provide good service to our clients and understand contractors who I could, in turn, create great connections with. It was an all-in-this-together-type attitude. We solved problems, we laughed, and we were all able to grow professionally during that time. I still consider many of the contractors on that project my friends. That first project taught me that KEPHART strives to always provide clients with a great experience throughout the duration of a project.
As a woman leader in the construction field, what advice would you give other women wanting to enter the industry?
I’m glad to see more women in the construction field than when I started, but there is still a long way to go. For anyone entering the field, I recommend finding a mentor who will be honest with you about your career and help you focus on the right things: knowing how to problem solve, knowing how to convey information depending on who you are talking to, and being confident in what you’re saying. You will need to embrace being uncomfortable on job sites where you may be the only woman, but don’t let that deter you. Finally, you will need to find a way to relate to the field crews. Personally, I always wear a Kansas City Chiefs hard hat because sports make me relatable. That is what opens the door to start talking and making connections, and those connections are what get the job done.
Women bring so much to the construction industry with their unique and different perspectives, and I am excited to start seeing more women on job sites and in the industry in general.
