At Walton, Women in Construction isn’t just a week — it’s every day.
We’re proud to have 19 incredible women shaping the future of construction with their strength, skill, and leadership. Their impact goes beyond the job site — it’s felt in every part of our company. We asked them to share their thoughts on what it means to be a woman in construction, and their insights are inspiring.
Meet some of the women of Walton and read their perspectives:
Ella Kump, Chief Financial Officer
What’s the best part of your job?
“Our team and the support given to each other. Each employee contributes to the success of the company so it’s good to see everyone working together.”
Susan Grimes, Receptionist
“The best part of your job is that I love interacting with the vendors and visitors that come in.”
Cindy Eshleman, Director of Human Resources
What does being a woman in construction mean to you?
“Honestly, it means everything. I grew up in the construction world because of my dad. It means proving to myself and sometimes to others that I belong here. It’s about showing up every day, doing work I love, and knowing that I’m making a difference in an industry that hasn’t always made space for women. Especially in a Leadership role. It’s also about paving the way for other women so that one day, being a woman in construction isn’t seen as something “different”, it’s just normal.”
What is one misconception about women in construction you’d like to change?
“That we can’t handle it. Some people still assume we’re out of place, whether it’s the physical side of things, the leadership, or the technical skills. But I’ve seen women running job sites, managing teams, and solving complex problems just as well as (if not better than) anyone else. We don’t need to “prove” we belong—we just do.”
What advice would you give your younger self when starting in this industry?
“Stop doubting yourself. If I could go back, I’d tell myself to be confident, to ask more questions, and to speak up. Also, don’t take things personally; sometimes people underestimate you, but that’s their problem, not yours.”
What challenges have you faced as a woman in construction, and how have you overcome them?
“There have been moments where I’ve felt like I had to work twice as hard just to be taken seriously and I’ve had my knowledge questioned. But I learned to let my work speak for itself. I make sure I know my stuff, I stand my ground, and I don’t let anyone make me feel like I don’t belong.”
Who inspired you to enter the industry, and how do you support other women?
“My dad was the biggest inspiration. But I also had someone early on, a mentor, who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself yet. They pushed, challenged, and made me realize I was capable of more than I thought. Now, I try to do the same for other women. I ensure they know they’re not alone, offer advice when I can, and always remind them that their voice matters.”
How do you balance your career with your personal life, and what advice would you give to others?
“I won’t lie, it’s tough sometimes. There are days when work takes over, and there’s no time for anything else. But I’ve learned that no one else will do it for you if you don’t set boundaries. I make time for things that recharge me, whether it’s family, hobbies, or just a quiet moment for myself. My advice? Don’t feel guilty for having a life outside of work. You’re allowed to take a break.”
What accomplishment in your career makes you most proud?
“There have been significant moments for me like being part of the team that created a culture that produced the BEST PLACES TO WORK in PA 3 years in a row. Or leading a project or hitting a milestone for which I worked hard. But honestly, what makes me proudest is the small stuff. Every time I help someone new find their confidence, every time I stand my ground in a tough situation, every time I push past doubt and do something I never thought I could. Those moments add up, reminding me why I love what I do.”
If you could give one piece of advice to a young woman considering a career in construction, what would it be?
“Do it! Don’t listen to anyone who says you can’t because you absolutely can. Find people who support you, learn as much as you can, and don’t be afraid to take up space. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone. Just show up, do your best, and know that you belong.”
Angie Albright, Senior Service Coordinator
What’s the best part of your job?
“Working with knowledgeable technicians while learning new things in a multifaceted field.”
Carolyn Kaseman, Bid Coordinator
What does being a woman in construction mean to you?
“A woman can do anything.”
What’s the best part of your job?
“Enjoying what I do every day, and able to excel & grow so quickly with Walton.”
What advice would you give your younger self when starting in this industry?
“You don’t need 3 years of college in another major to make more money doing what I do now…LOL”
Who inspired you to enter the industry, and how do you support other women?
“Myself. I inspired myself to stay in this industry for 15+ years, I have grown into many positions and still learning. I hope to help other women grow in the future.”
How do you balance your career with your personal life, and what advice would you give to others?
“Balance both and NEVER put work first. Family is everything.”
What accomplishment in your career makes you most proud?
“I grew and excelled so early.”
If you could give one piece of advice to a young woman considering a career in construction, what would it be?
“You can do ANYTHING if you put your mind to it.”
Tilicia Sutton, Sheet Metal Mechanic
“One of the biggest misconceptions about women in construction is not being capable of or suited for such a physically demanding male-dominated field. Ladies…we are just as capable!!”
Melody Kruse, Senior Service Coordinator
What advice would I give my younger self when starting in this industry?
“When I started in the industry 27 years ago, I didn’t know anything about the trade I was getting ready to make as a career. I would have told myself to not be so hard on myself, and have those hard talks with my team but mostly take advantage of every opportunity to learn more from all your colleagues.”
Tina Zellers, Service Office Manager
What does being a woman in construction mean to you?
“Being a woman in Construction to me, means that I will work in a primarily men’s world. It has made me so much stronger as a woman. To compete and direct technicians on a daily basis, has also given me a lot of Confidence and Self Assurance. This didn’t happen overnight, it took years.”
What is one misconception about women in construction you’d like to change?
“That women can’t do a man’s work. Well, I think we are proving that we can. The doors are starting to open for women in the trade, and I’d like to see more and more women succeed in it!”
What’s the best part of your job?
“The best part of my job is the great people I work with!!!! We have such dedicated, dependable, well-trained employees who work so well together to accomplish every task, with a priority for customer satisfaction. And they do it well!!!”
What advice would you give your younger self when starting in this industry?
“Get involved as soon as you can! Get in there and take advantage of everything you can learn. This Industry will continue to grow, and the benefits are beyond your wildest dreams! IN FACT, my daughter now works for Trane doing pretty much the exact same thing that I have been doing for the past 30+ years.”
What challenges have you faced as a woman in construction, and how have you overcome them?
“I came from United Refrigeration, a Supply House, so I was knowledgeable with parts and pieces, and I wanted to expand my horizon into the Construction World for more knowledge of the “guts” of the other side of the business. Getting into the Service side of the business was very challenging. Men were customers of mine at the Supply House, and that was fun, but when I moved to the Service side as a Service Coordinator, I was now telling Men ‘what to do and where to go’! WELL, as you can very much imagine it didn’t go down very well in the beginning.”
Who inspired you to enter the industry, and how do you support other women?
A friend from Williams Service Company actually approached me to interview her, she was an owner of the Company. She trained and supported me, just like I try to support and encourage the woman I come into contact with daily. I Manage the Service office in 2 States with 5 Service Coordinators. They are the best in the business and I let them know that very often. Doesn’t matter to what level a woman is in her career challenges, I will always support and encourage ALL women from Upper Management to just come out of a Training School, it is so important.”
How do you balance your career with your personal life, and what advice would you give to others?
“This is not so hard for me anymore, as my kids are grown and out of the house, it’s just me, my retired husband, and our 2 dogs. But I will always tell people that the only “constant” in your life is your job. It’s the only place that you can go to every day and you can depend on it to keep your mind occupied and feed your brain constant! No matter what circumstances are going on outside of work, going to work is safe, and constant, and there is always someone there who really cares!”
What accomplishment in your career makes you most proud?
“My greatest accomplishment in my career is that I came from a Supply House and Fitness background to a Highly Successful Mechanical Contracting Company. And I, being 1 of a dozen people at the start, and helping to grow the Company to now over 250 Employees, an unlimited number of customers, and profits that just keep growing every year. I feel extremely Successful!”
If you could give one piece of advice to a young woman considering a career in construction, what would it be?
“Do it!! You will never regret it! Construction is always going to be around, robots can’t replace what we do!! And the market and the services are always going to be in need! Construction is a very “diverse” business, lots of opportunities, and a lot always going on!”
Kristy Ebaugh, Human Resources Generalist
What does being a woman in construction mean to you?
“It is empowering and challenging breaking barriers and challenging norms.”
What is one misconception about women in construction you’d like to change?
“I’d love to change the idea that women in construction are only suited for office or support roles and not capable of handling the physically demanding, hands-on aspects of the jobs in construction. Personally speaking, I love a good hands-on home project and I’m never afraid to get my hands dirty. Just ask my husband :)”
What’s the best part of your job?
“The best part of my job is my boss and co-workers, they are inspiring and non-judgemental. They come to work and make my day better by just being there because they are always willing to help no matter what. Feeling fully supported is important to me and I am very lucky to have this job and the people who are here doing it together.”
What advice would you give your younger self when starting in this industry?
“I would tell myself that it is ok to not be liked and to be challenged and to believe in myself more and trust myself more.”
What challenges have you faced as a woman in construction, and how have you overcome them?
“I would say the biggest challenge is the gender bias and stereotyping.”
Who inspired you to enter the industry, and how do you support other women?
“My boss, and friend, Cindy Eshleman. She is my biggest supporter and has been since the day we met. She inspires me every day and leaves a lasting impression to be a better version of myself just by being herself. She is the one who believed in me from the jump and the one who continues to believe in me and shows me how to support other women by being there for each other working as a team and never saying I but WE. She never takes credit for what she does, and she is very humble. She does an amazing job at making me feel a part of a great team.”
How do you balance your career with your personal life, and what advice would you give to others?
“I leave work at work and my boss has always supported that. If there are days that I struggle, I know that she is there to help me figure it out. My advice is to not take things too personally and to let things go that do not serve the greater purpose. If no one is dying and deadlines are being met, there is nothing too serious that needs to be taken home.”
What accomplishment in your career makes you most proud?
“Achieving personal milestones, and contributing to Walton’s future in a positive way.”
If you could give one piece of advice to a young woman considering a career in construction, what would it be?
“I would say, don’t be afraid to use your voice and to trust yourself.”
Cindy Little, Project Manager Assistant
What is one misconception about women in construction you’d like to change?
“We are not just pretty faces in the office; we are capable of so much more.”
What’s the best part of your job?
“Every day is different, and I love being able to get out to job sites and see our projects in action.”
How do you balance your career with your personal life, and what advice would you give to others?
“Very carefully, lol.”
What accomplishment in your career makes you most proud?
“Being able to advance and learn as much as I possibly can.”
If you could give one piece of advice to a young woman considering a career in construction, what would it be?
“Don’t be afraid, construction isn’t just a “man’s” world anymore.”
Katie Furth, Service Coordinator
What’s the best part of your job?
“I enjoy getting to know our customers and facilitating the work that we do for them.”
The voices of the Women at Walton reflect strength, resilience, and a deep passion for the work they do. Their insights show that women are not only thriving in construction — they’re leading the way. From overcoming challenges to breaking stereotypes, these women are setting the standard for future generations.
At Walton, we don’t just celebrate Women in Construction for one week — we honor their contributions every single day. Their impact is woven into the fabric of who we are as a company, and we’re grateful for the leadership, skill, and dedication they bring to the table. Thank you, Ladies, all of your contributions are valuable at Walton.
From Top Row, (left to right): Susan Grimes, Teresa Hain, Ella Kump, Priscilla Wiley-Emerich, Tasha Snyder, Stephanie Frey, and Tina Zellers
From Bottom Row, (left to right): Cindy Little, Carolyn Kaseman, Kristy Ebaugh, Cindy Eshleman, Angie Albright, and Stephanie Schaefer
Not pictured in the group photo are Brenda Bashore, Candie Atwell, Billie Jo Repman, Melody Kruse, Katie Furth, and Tilicia Sutton
#WaltonWomenInConstruction #Leadership #BreakingBarriers #WaltonProud
