October 2022 – Rosie Contreras – Westcor Companies
October’s wonderful NAWIC #MemberSpotlight is the well-dressed and VERY impressive Rosie Contreras!
Rosie was born and raised in Orange County, California and moved to Las Vegas in 2008. She moved back to California in 2016 and quickly realized that #LasVegas was home and returned in 2018. She started her career in the construction Industry 4 years ago working as a contract administrator for Westcor Companies in 2018. She has moved up to a Staff Account and is involved in all aspects of the Accounting Department.
She learned about #NAWIC a few months after and quickly started attending NAWIC meetings and events. She finally became a member Beginning 2021 and attended Spring, Fall and National Conferences and became a Construction Bookkeeping Technician (#CBT) in October 2021. She is also a member of the Construction Financial Management Association (#CFMA). She currently is part of the 60th Anniversary Committee and recently joined the Block kids committee.
She is happily married, has 4 sons, 1 daughter and is soon becoming a grandma to a precious baby boy. In her spare time she enjoys hanging out with her loved ones, listening to good music, shopping for shoes and traveling.
Thank you for everything you do for your committee and team, Rosie! #womeninconstruction #westcorcompanies #nawic74
August 2022 – Adriane Massa – Assurance Ltd.
Adriane Massa has been with Assurance Ltd., an insurance and bonding agency, for the last 33 years. She works in the construction department providing bonds and insurance for a wide variety of construction based clientele. She is also Vice- President of the Nevada Surety and Fidelity Association, and a member of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers.
Becoming empty nesters is taking some getting used to. Nicole is recently engaged and moved to North Carolina with her fiancé, Matt, who is in the army. Mark and Adriane have taken up pickleball, although we are not particularly good, it is fun. Mostly because we are laughing at each other.
We have just returned from Alaska. It is so pristine!! We would like to continue to travel as there are so many amazing places to experience. One of my favorite trips was to Coeur d’Alene ID and the Hiawatha Trail bike ride. The views are breathtaking. However I can tell you there is not enough bike seat padding in the world for a 14 mile ride!! I like to garden, read, go to VGK games, and hang out with good friends. Life by the water is in our future.
It has been my honor to be allowed to serve as President of this phenomenal chapter for the past two years. I have learned so much about this organization, its members and myself. These ladies are deeply committed to building each other up and supporting you no matter what. Anything is possible through NAWIC!!Adriane has been with Assurance Ltd., an insurance and bonding agency, for the last 33 years. She works in the construction department providing bonds and insurance for a wide variety of construction based clientele. She is also vice president of the Nevada Surety and Fidelity Association and a member of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers.
Anything is possible through #NAWIC !!
April 2022 – Samantha Whitley – GenTeks
April’s #memberspotlight is none other than Samantha Whitley, who currently is the CEO of GenTeks, a full-service IT company in Las Vegas! She specializes in helping businesses enhance and save money on their technology!
Samantha is a native Las Vegas resident. She is a Wife, Mother and Business Owner. She enjoys traveling, hiking, reading and spending time with her family.
Thank you, Samantha, for being a member of NAWIC and all the sisterhood and support you offer to our industry and #NAWICLV!
December 2021 – Jill Burns, Ahern Rentals
Jill Newton-Burns, who currently works as a sales rep for Ahern Rentals in Las Vegas. Her career in the valley began when she first moved to Las Vegas in 1988. At the time she was selling financing for construction equipment, and she very quickly realized the lack of female representation in the AEC Industry. A customer recommended her to NAWIC, and Jill has been a member of the Las Vegas chapter since 1988.
In her spare time Jill enjoys reading, being on the water, camping, and traveling. She is an avid @Vegas Golden Knights Fan and is trying o open her heart to another local team- The Raiders.
Thank you, Jill, for being a long-time member of NAWIC and all the sisterhood and support you offer to our industry and #NAWICLV!
September 2021 – Heidi Ritchey, Steamatic
Heidi was born in Chicago and made the move to SoCal her freshman year of High School. While her children were young, she pursued a career in real estate which gave her the flexibility to be a working mother. As her boys grew, she received her insurance license and eventually began working in the claims side of the insurance industry. In 2013 Heidi and her family made the move to Las Vegas, which eventually lead her down the path of Business Development to a Restoration company.
In her spare time, Heidi loves to travel and relax by the pool with her two sons and husband of 21 years, Craig. Her life wouldn’t be complete without her rescue dogs, Lucky and Chance, wagging their tails by her side. She is looking forward to someday being a grandmother and spending more time poolside with her family and fur babies.
July’s Member Spotlight is Dawn Duranleau, AIA, CCM, NCARB, LEED GA- PreConstruction Manager at Core Construction Services of Nevada.
Dawn’s love of the AEC industry began in the 7th grade when she discovered Computer-Aided Design (CAD). By 10th grade, she was drafting complete house plans, and in college, she began her professional career working for a residential developer. Dawn moved to Las Vegas in 2007, where she took up employment with a local architectural firm until the recession hit when she found a silver lining and was able to make the switch to the construction side of the industry.
Her talents led her to CORE Construction, a national General Contracting company that is the #1 Education Builder in the Southwest (ENR 2020). As a CMR, their projects are primarily public sector projects benefiting our community including libraries, K-12, higher education, firehouses, and community centers. At CORE, she is responsible for ensuring the architect’s vision and client’s needs come together on time and within budget, from project inception to close of construction. She is a member of The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and is a certified CCM through the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). Dawn has been a valued part of NAWICLV for the past 6 years.
In fact, Dawn loves the AEC industry so much, she married into it! Her wife is also a member of AIA, and together they love to spend time with their 10-year-old son. Her hobbies include traveling with her family, hiking, baking, and reading.
Thank you for your remarkable contributions to the AECIndustry, Dawn! NAWIC is lucky to have you!
June 2021 – Lydia Murphy, Agency Co-Owner and Commercial Insurance Broker for Leavitt Insurance Agency Group
June’s Member Spotlight is the talented Lydia Murphy, Agency Co-Owner and Commercial Insurance Broker for Leavitt Insurance Agency Group. Lydia’s 37 years of industry experience started locally, here in Henderson! She was a file clerk and receptionist at a local insurance company. Her career progressed into Account Management and sales, a brief stint at Prudence as a National Sales Manager, then back to LaPorta which merged into Leavitt Insurance Agency. In 2017, Lydia was made part of the new ownership team at Leavitt, where she specializes in construction, hospitality, and franchise businesses.
Lydia is also a board member of a local non-profit The Lili Claire Foundation, which provides services to families with children with neurogenetic disorders. She has been a member of NAWIC Las Vegas since 2019, and currently holds a Director role for our organization.
Outside of work, Lydia’s health and family are her top priority. You can find her practicing yoga, reading, or painting to relax her body and mind. She has four amazing children, eight beautiful grandchildren, and two Cavalier fur-babies who run her home.
Thank you, Lydia, for serving as a director of #NAWICLV and for everything you do for our Las Vegas community!
April 2021 – Tiesha Moore – President and Owner of G3 Electrical Technologies
Our April Member Spotlight is the talented and opportunistic Tiesha Moore, President of G3 Electrical. G3 Electrical Technologies is an electrical contractor licensed and bonded in the state of Nevada since 2010. Their services consist of new construction, remodels, improvements, lighting upgrades, motor controls, and more. G3 Electrical is DBE, MBE, WBE, and RiSE certified, and has experience in the education sector, public entities, concrete tilt-ups, commercial buildings, and various other markets.
Tiesha was born and raised in fabulous Las Vegas and is also a licensed CPA. She wore many hats before finally discovering her passion for the AEC Industry. She plays an avid role in both NAWIC and NCA’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, where she can use her talents to encourage and support women and diversity in the construction industry. Tiesha has been a proud member oF NAWICLV since 2013, using her love of education to provide youth insight into the many opportunities available in the industry.
In her spare time, Tiesha enjoys traveling with her husband and four children and playing with her dog. She loves to paint, relax on the beach, and take in the fresh air on a long walk. Thank you for everything you do for NAWIC!
March 2021 – Susan Faulkner-Goeke – President and Owner of AF Construction
“AF is a General Contracting Company founded in 1979 and I acquired the company in 2015 when my father passed away. Today, AF is a family-owned company and is also a #WBE and #WOSB.
My job Description varies daily. I make the decision on which jobs to bid and am always looking for new talent to add to our team. On top of all that, I get to sign everything that crosses my desk.
I have a few important hobbies outside of work. Most important to me is to stay balanced with yoga, meditation, prayer, and natural healing methods. I have been married for 27 years to my wonderful husband, Shawn. We are always together as we have worked together for over 28 years. I always joke that he was my “Best Hire.” We are lucky to have raised four great boys, aged 26, 24, 20, and 17.
Thank you, Susan, for being a passionate businesswoman and valued #NAWICLV Member!
#womeninconstruction #nawiclv #aecindustry
January 2021 – Lisa Craig, TLS- Trinity Land Surveying Inc.
TLS is a Certified Woman Owned Small Business (WBE / WOSB) and signatory with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12. They are a full service professional land surveying and 3D scanning firm located in North Las Vegas, Nevada. TLS primary focus and expertise is in the Las Vegas Resort Corridor / Sporting Arenas. They provide top quality construction layout, structural steel layout, and construction as-builts.
Lisa has been a large part of the AEC Industry for 20 years, and an active member of #NAWICLV for four years. She is on the @Nevada Contractors Association Board of Directors Inclusion Counsel and is our local NAWIC Chair of the Membership Committee, as well as on our Board.
She has been married for 20 years to the love of her life and raised two sons who are currently 23 and 26 years old. Lisa loves adrenaline, and you can catch her on fast cars, fast boats, and playing in the waves with her sea doo’s in her spare time.
Thank you, Lisa, for everything you do for #NAWIC and the Las Vegas industry!
#womeninconstruction #AECIndustry
September 2020 – Heather Avila, Live Electric / President, CEO
September’s Member Spotlight is Heather Avila, President/ CEO of Live Electric Inc.! Live Electric, Inc. is a local, #LasVegas electrical company, and carries multiple #minority certifications to assist you on your project such as:
· WBE- Women Business Enterprise
· WOSB- Women-Owned Small Business
· SBE- Small Business Enterprise
· DBE- Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
· ESB Tier 2
Being an #entrepreneur, it’s no surprise that Heather can be described as energetic and enthusiastic by her peers and friends and enjoys thrill-seeking hobbies such as off-roading. Heather attributes her happiness to a successful 8 year A/E/C industry career, her amazingly supportive husband Carlos, and three beautiful children.
Thank you, Heather, for being an amazing #NAWIC member and female #leader in our industry! #womeninconstruction #nawiclasvegas
October 2017 – Lori Mathisen, Penta Group
Lori is a Project Manager for Penta Group. She has been with the company for 5 years. She loves to mentor young people in this business. She joined NAWIC for more networking opportunities, to form alliances with vendors and suppliers.
Lori enjoys the fun she has as a Penta team member. They have lots of employee appreciation and team building opportunities.
Lori loves to travel. She has a goal to visit all 50 states in the US and only has 6 more states to go to accomplish that goal.
Something you may not know about Lori, is that she’s a Rodan and Fields representative, who specialize in skin care products.
Thank you Lori for being a part of NAWIC’s organization!
March 2018 – Amy Shaw McCarran Airport Respresentative
Amy Shaw is Manager of Commercial and Business Development for McCarran Airport with over 30 years experience in diversity programs and the airport concession industry, including planning, development, implementation and management of concession programs.
Amy is a brand new member of NAWIC, however, has been an asset to many of the members of this organization. Amy is motivated by helping small, minority and women-owned businesses. Sharing information, and working in partnership with resource partners. She looks forward to working with NAWIC and its members to increase women-owned business participation in airport projects and work together to remove challenges and barriers.
Amy is a proud desendent of a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor. She enjoys shopping going to spas, and contributing to the local casinos with her girlfriends and sister.