Celebrating women in construction

Every year, March 8 marks International Women’s Day. This year, we’re bringing it home and celebrating women in construction by interviewing women from the American Legend Homes and Belclaire Homes family. 

Misty Masterson – Senior Director of Marketing

Tell us about your role.
As Senior Director of Marketing, I oversee a very talented team that handles all marketing-related activities for our Texas and Colorado operations. This is an incredibly large umbrella encompassing everything from websites, digital and social media, photo and video to budgets, events, signage, copy writing, design, printing, model display, sales collateral and relationships with Realtors, homeowners and developers. All of this takes an immense amount of cross functional interaction with management, sales and construction, as well as Purchasing, Operations, Architecture, Accounting and countless external vendors and partners. 

What do you find particularly challenging about your role?
The most challenging part of this role is maintaining the ability to switch from left-brained to right-brained activities constantly. One minute it’s extremely in-depth data analysis and budgeting, and the next it’s quickly developing and designing a creative solution for a specific community sales office. It’s definitely never boring.   

What skills are required to be successful in this industry?
Communication, adaptability and multitasking are key.  

What is a piece of advice you would give to a woman just beginning her career in construction?
I once received a very simple, yet valuable piece of advice, which really applies to everyone, but it especially resonated with me as a (young at the time) woman in a predominantly male industry. I was told that “when you’re just starting out…be a sponge and soak up as much information for as long as possible.” Doing this has always enabled me to get a solid understanding of how and why things are done a certain way, which can most definitely impact decisions and actions moving forward. 

What are your favorite things about working in the construction industry?
It’s an extremely fast-paced environment that always keeps me on my toes. I’ve learned so many interesting things along the way and I always find it fascinating how so many complex processes and moving parts come together to create a home for someone.  

What about working with American Legend Homes?
I feel extremely lucky to be part of the American Legend Homes family. Even though some days are tough, I feel fortunate to work with so many great people and be part of an environment where I’m able to share my thoughts and opinions; and they are actually valued.  

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It’s important to educate our daughters (and sons) to recognize and appreciate the achievements of others who have overcome obstacles and adversity to make such important contributions to our world.   

Tracy Davis – Executive Assistant

Tell us about your role
I am the Executive Assistant, reporting directly to the President of American Legend Homes. My role is just about anything in the office. I oversee the operations team that handles all of the contracts from the time they are written to the day they close. Some refer to me as the “Office Mom” because I can solve any issue that may arise and they know I will get things done.

What do you find particularly challenging about your role?
Every day is a new adventure and there is never a dull moment. Many people come to me when there is a problem and I must put aside my other duties to find the best solution.  Wrangling cats – some days that is what it feels like. There is never a dull moment and there is always something going on and fires to put out.  

What skills are required to be successful in this industry?
The ability to learn and grow is very important, as well as understanding how everything fits together. You should want to learn and grow and understand how the pieces of the puzzle work together.

What is a piece of advice you would give to a woman just beginning her career in construction?
This is a fun industry to be in – enjoy it!

What are your favorite things about working in the construction industry? 
There is always something new and interesting to learn, you never will know it all!

What about working with American Legend Homes?
It’s rewarding to see that the hard work I have put in over the years has paid off to help make this company successful.  

What do you think are some of the advantages of being a woman in construction?
DETAIL! Women are skilled at paying great attention to detail.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
It puts the spotlight on women in all industries and perhaps someday we will be looked at as equals in the workplace.