Spotlight on the Women of Atkinson’s Pacific Northwest Team

As part of Women’s History Month, our Employee Spotlight series is focused on showcasing some of the talented women who make up Atkinson Construction.

This week, we’re going to learn more about Marie Beedle, Dawn Abbott, and Brooke Shore of the Atkinson Northwest team!

Marie Beedle 
Concrete Laborer

Describe your role at Atkinson.

Currently, I am a concrete laborer on Atkinson’s largest structures job at the E-335 project. Throughout my career, I have worked as a flagger, traffic control laborer, and traffic control supervisor. 

What drew you to a career in the construction industry?

I come from a construction family. My dad was an operator and our idea of family time was checking dewatering pumps over the weekend or moving equipment between jobs! I love construction because no two days are ever alike and I have the opportunity to learn new things every day.

What advice do you have for a young woman looking to enter the industry?

My advice to women starting in construction is to learn everything. In my career, I have worked in the done everything from office work to fieldwork to estimating. These diverse experiences have allowed me to understand how everyone contributes to the overall success of a project.  

Dawn Abbott
Project Administrator 

Describe your role at Atkinson.

I started out in Atkinson’s business group managing onboarding new employees and payroll. I have since transitioned took on the role of office manager on the SR 167/70^th Ave E Bridge Replacement Project.

What is the biggest challenge of being a woman working in construction?

I think the biggest challenge for women entering construction is gaining respect in a mostly male-dominated industry. As women, we always need to remember that we have a seat at the table for a reason.

How do you think construction can attract more female candidates?

I would like to see young ladies interested in construction early on. We need to encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM in middle school and high school and highlight that construction is a challenging and rewarding industry to enter.

Brooke Shore 
Senior Estimator 

Describe your role at Atkinson.

I am a senior estimator and design-build coordinator. I lead estimates and provide input during subcontractor pricing. I also manage the design on design-build projects from the proposal phase through final design after are awarded the contract.

What is your favorite project you have ever worked on and why?

My favorite project was the Murray Morgan Bridge rehabilitation in Tacoma, WA due to its technically challenging moveable bridge aspects.

What advice do you have for a young woman looking to enter the industry?

Try everything! Construction is a big puzzle. The more parts of construction you are exposed to, the more the pieces make sense.