Stepping up: Jeanne Staton leads by example

As the construction industry has grown in size and sophistication over the last three-and-a-half decades, Jeanne Staton has led Staton Industries (formerly Staton Construction) of Eugene, Ore., in an impressive fashion. Started on a shoestring in 1971, with just 5 employees, the company specialized in demolitions. With the City of Eugene undergoing a wave of urban renewal projects in the early 1970s-a lot of buildings were coming down before the new ones went up, and Staton emerged as one of the most reliable and skilled demolition contractors in the region. With Jeanne Staton as president since 1980, the company-now with 35 employees-- leveraged its early lead and expanded its niche into bridge and dam demolition and is currently licensed in Oregon, Washington, California, Idaho, and Utah.

While blazing a trail of success, Staton also displayed strong leadership abilities in numerous roles, including as the first female president of the AGC, as a former member of the Oregon Construction Contractors Board, and at the National Association of Women In Construction, where she held every office up to and including president.

"Jeanne stepped out of her comfort zone to serve as president of the AGC," said Ted Aadland, "and she totally mastered it." The president of Portland-based Aadland-Evans Construction Inc., added," Jeanne's quietly confident. Besides being a model of what a good contractor can accomplish with hard work and perseverance, she's also a leader and a real asset to the industry."

While the construction industry and Staton Industries, have both come a long ways, critical challenges remain, Jeanne Staton says. "With an aging workforce, we need to attract the best and brightest. There is still a prejudice against this industry, so it is crucial that we create an awareness in the high schools and among the parents about the tremendous opportunities that are available."

In the past, sheer physical strength may have been enough for some positions, Staton says, but today's employees, including many young women, need a higher degree of skills, training, and education. "That's one reason why I'm so passionate about the Northwest College of Construction and I am glad and grateful that I'm in a position to help."

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