Maryland Woman Breaking Stereotypes; Building a Career

Summary

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For Karen Sweeney, the summer spent working on a construction site in college was merely the beginning of a successful career that would one day position her among the highest-ranking females in the industry.It was also the beginning of her personal mission to educate school-age girls on the merits of selecting a math and science track.It's important to expose young girls to what an engineering degree actually is, said Sweeney, head of Maryland field operations for New York-based Turner Construction Co., one of the nation's largest commercial builders. It's not what you see on TV; the kids with the pocket protectors and tape around their glasses. There is so much creativity and multi-tasking involved and that's why women excel.Sweeney, 48, is herself an architectural engineer from Pennsylvania State University. As vice president and general manager for Turner, she is the first woman to lead an office within the company and one of the most powerful women in the construction trade.

During her 25-year career with Turner, Sweeney has worked in virtually every facet of the business from the line-and-grade crew on high-rise apartment buildings, to mechanical and electrical coordination to project engineer. Her hard work was rewarded in 2000 when Sweeney was named vice president and general manager and offered the chance to run the company's Cleveland business unit.The mom of two moved with her family to Ellicott City in April 2005, where she now oversees commercial projects on a statewide scale.Karen is very focused on the quality of client service we provide, said William M. Brennan, executive vice president for Turner's Mid-Atlantic region. Her ability to listen to our clients needs, and translate that knowledge into an effective delivery process by our staff, in concert with the client's chosen design professionals and other consultants, is outstanding.

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Maryland Woman Breaking Stereotypes; Building a Career

Tiny minorityParent company Turner Corp., founded in 1902, has more than 5,000 employees worldwide. It specializes in commercial construction projects, including multi-unit residential, airports, auto plants, manufacturing, hotels, co...

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