Stories of success, achievement and recognition
By Donna Mayer
Special to Ontario Construction Report
Women are making their mark as leaders in the construction industry across Northern Ontario. Ten of them caught our eye and we have named them the Top 10 Women Industry Leaders of Northern Ontario.
Ontario Construction Report celebrates the projects they worked on, the products they represent and the great work their companies complete.
Our Top 10 List is made up of owners, executives, managers and front-line staff. All of them are leaders and active members of their local construction associations.
The listing is alphabetical.
Melissa Almonte
File manager, Gregor Homes
Melissa Almonte holds the position of file manager for Gregor Homes in Barrie.
Joining the company in 2012, Almonte’s duties include client care and customer service, overseeing new homes and renovation job files to ensure complete customer satisfaction.
In addition, Almonte is responsible for the company’s health and safety program and most aspects of human resources.
Almonte is also a director on the board of the Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association (SCHBA), representing the Builder/Renovators Sector.
Rachel Castellano
Sales consultant, Parklane Landscapes
Rachel Castellano is a sales and marketing consulting professional with demonstrated skills in customer service, sales,strategic planning, team building, and management.
A graduate of Durham College she earned a degree in advertising/,arketing, with a focus on advertising and graphic design.
Joining Parklane Landscapes in 2016, Castellano brought with her five years graphic design experience and five years sales and store management experience.
She is a director on the board of the Orillia and District Construction Association (ODCA).
Cassie Frengopoulos
Senior project co-ordinator, Gerrits Engineering Limited
A graduate of Queen’s University three-year Geological Engineering Program, Cassie Frengopoulos earned her P. Eng, in Civil Engineering in 2012.
Upon graduation, Frengopoulos was hired as an engineer-in-training with Gerrits Engineering Limited and was quickly promoted to structural engineer.
Frengopoulos has a broad range of experience as a designer and project co-ordinator on architectural and structural projects.
In 2018, Frengopoulos was promoted to senior project co-ordinator where she is responsible for coordinating large multi-disciplinary projects; drawing review and co-ordination; managing client expectations; technical specification writing; contract administration; shop drawing review; general review of construction; project close-out.
Jeanne Kempffer
Executive administrator, Burling Ranger Masonry Contractors
Jeanne Kempffer holds the position of executive administrator for Burling Ranger Masonry Contractors in Innisfil.
Joining the company as their office administrator in 2000, Kempffer developed a passion about the construction industry and the complexities and road blocks that small owners face.
Driven by a commitment to sharing common experiences to resolve road blocks and make progress, Kempffer engaged with the BCA.
Kempffer is an active member of the BCA’s Procurement Committee, assisting in the development and execution of a series of Lunch and Learns. She also actively seeks out sponsorship opportunities for the enrichment of the local construction community.
Currently, Kempffer is second vice-president of the BCA and the chairperson for the association’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Shannon MacIntyre
Real estate broker, Sutton Group Incentive Realty Inc.
Shannon MacIntyre is a real estate broker, licensed with Sutton Group Incentive Realty Inc. in Barrie.
Earning her broker’s license in 2013, MacIntyre specializes in feasibility analysis and market intelligence along with tenant and client retention. She has expertise in estate planning as it pertains to different asset classes, as well as on and off market industrial and commercial brokerage.
MacIntyre serves as chairperson of the Economic Advisory Committee for Greater Innisfil and president of the Greater Innisfil Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, MacIntyre is SCHBA director, representing the service and professionals sector.
Kelly Mascioli
Mascioli Construction Co. Ltd.
Kelly Mascioli is positioned to assume the reins of Timmin’s the oldest company, after 20 years with the family-owned business.
With her father trying to ease into retirement, she is being groomed to take over the family business. The daughter of Phil Mascioli, Kelly is the fourth generation of her family to lead the company.
Chantal Seguin
Branch manager, Powell (RH) Contracting
A graduate of Cambrian College’s three-year Geological Engineering Program, Chantal Seguin earned her technologist diploma in 2000.
Beginning her career as a quality control co-ordinator and site administrator at one of Ontario’s largest heavy civil engineering and construction organizations, Seguin sought out progressively responsible positions.
She joined Powell (RH) Contracting as a senior project manager in 2013, being promoted to branch manager less than a year later.
Seguin is a lifelong learner, as demonstrated by her extensive training with the Ontario Road Builders’ Association and the Canadian Construction Association. She is a gold seal certified project manager.
Currently, Seguin is a director on the BCA and the Simcoe County Heavy Construction Association.
Kelly Smith
Chief Building Official, City of Orillia
Kelly Smith is responsible for Orillia’s Building Division.
A Certified Building Code Official, Smith leads the team responsible for reviewing and enforcing compliance with the Ontario Building Code in the City of Orillia. Two primary functions under her authority are the issuing of building permits and inspecting buildings under construction.
Smith received her Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech.), Architectural Sciences and Technology from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in 1989.
Upon graduation, Smith launched her career as a Building Inspector with the Town of Markham, moving to the City of Orillia in 1992. She was appointed Orillia’s Chief Building Official in 2003.
Smith’s leadership skills extend to her local construction association, where she is a ODCA director.
Sandy Tuckey
Executive officer, Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association (SCHBA)
Sandy Tuckey has been at the helm of SCHBA for more than two years now, joining in 2017 after a successful 25-year career as publisher and director of advertising at The Barrie Examiner.
Tuckey served as a director on the board of the Greater Barrie Chamber of Commerce from 2013 to 2016.
Before stepping up to lead SCHBA as the senior staff person, Tuckey served as a director on the Board for six years, from 2010 to 2016.
Jodie Wilson
Executive administrator, Orillia and District Construction Association (ODCA)
Jodie Wilson is a seasoned executive administrator with an extensive network of business associates.
Experienced in front line communication with community and media, Wilson excels at organizing, prioritizing and responding to public relations issues.
Beginning in 1989, Wilson served for 10 years as the assistant to the City of Orillia’s Mayor and Council. Wilson went on to become the assistant manager of the Downtown Orillia Management Board, before assuming her current role as the ODCA’s executive administrator.