When in-person events re-emerged in 2022, Safety Director Mario Rodriguez jumped right back into joining as many construction safety conferences as he could.
When in-person events re-emerged in 2022, Safety Director Mario Rodriguez jumped right back into joining as many construction safety conferences as he could. Among other things, COVID had thrown a major wrench in industry events—his primary method of benchmarking Webcor’s safety program, culture, and best practices. He was ready to dive back into the world of safety roundtables and seminars and see how Webcor stacked up to its competitors.
With each event he attended, it became increasingly clear that he didn’t need to worry about Webcor falling behind. In fact, Webcor’s safety concepts and practices—particularly our safety culture, in-house trainings, and technology (Webcor SAFE)— easily surpassed those of other general contractors.
It got him thinking—why don’t we tout Webcor’s best-in-class safety program the way we do our building practices?
“We talk a lot about Webcor’s innovations as a builder—our three-day concrete floor cycle, design-build expertise, growing mass timber experience, and One Webcor approach,” Mario says. “One of my goals these last couple years has been to similarly position Webcor’s safety program as a model for the industry. We’re always seeking and pushing the envelope when it comes to building and performing safely.”
To better amplify Webcor’s safety program and accomplishments, Mario and Dept. Support Manager Emily Schmitt submitted Webcor’s phenomenal safety professionals and safety record for a dozen industry awards last year, nearly half of which they won.
“All of our team members perform at a top-tier level, so choosing just a few people and projects to nominate is always difficult,” Mario says. “I’m so proud of everyone on our team for embracing our safety program and Speaking Up for Safety every single day.”
Webcor and Webcor Craft each won the Safety Excellence Award based on their outstanding safety statistics.
Safety Managers Mario Saenz and Kendall Cantave and Safety Coordinator Ty’Asia Reynolds were each honored for their transformative impact on field teams’ safety culture. Their commitment to active caring has ignited genuine connections with field professionals, empowering them to Speak Up for Safety no matter the circumstances and consistently prioritize safe building practices and psychological safety.
The MWH/Webcor safety team at the Biosolids Digester Facilities Project (BDFP) won this award based on their excellent safety record: zero fatalities in 2023 and a lost workday case incident rate equal to or less than 50 percent of the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) rating for their reported North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code in 2023.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have our efforts acknowledged by a nationally respected organization like NSC,” says MWH Health & Safety Manager Jorge Torres. “It’s something tangible that will keep us striving to do even better, be better, and reach for excellence each year—when we describe our safety culture at orientations, we can point to the award and explain how everyone’s efforts contributed to it. Together, we can achieve great things when we care for one another and look out for the next person.”
Although we didn’t win first place, Webcor placed in the top three general contractors for this AGC of California award honoring GCs across the state with outstanding safety programs.
“This prestigious award was a huge opportunity to get Webcor’s name out there,” Emily says. “Placing in the top three was a major win that proved we go above and beyond typical industry standards to keep our workforce safe.”
San Jose State University (SJSU) was awarded a certificate of recognition for its safety performance at the Spartan Athletics Center (SAC). According to former Webcorian Adam Bird, the SAC was the safest project by incidents per personnel hours worked.
From hosting in-house trainings to fostering a culture of active caring that permeates each job site, Safety team members have gone above and beyond to embed physical/psychological safety in Webcor’s culture:
Since 2018, the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) has honored outstanding LA-based women leading our industry with its annual Women of Influence: Construction, Engineering, & Architecture list.
All honorees are selected by LABJ’s editorial department after thorough review of their nomination materials — no paid sponsorship is involved.
Since 2018, the Los Angeles Business Journal (LABJ) has honored outstanding LA-based women leading our industry with its annual Women of Influence: Construction, Engineering, & Architecture list. All honorees are selected by LABJ’s editorial department after thorough review of their nomination materials — no paid sponsorship is involved.
This year, three Webcorians were included on the list (more than any other company!): Design/Project Manager April Chang, Sr. Director, Business Development Brooke Walbuck, and Estimating/Outreach Manager Rosa Arevalo.
“I’m so happy to see these amazing women celebrated,” says Outreach and Partnerships Manager Sharla Sullivan. “From the moment I met Rosa, it was clear that her guiding star is her passion for people and community. April’s one of the smartest and most determined people I’ve ever met; she never ceases to amaze me. Brooke’s a powerful connector and relationship builder who forms the kind of deeper connections that are the foundation of great partnerships. I’m so impressed by all three of these women making their mark on the AEC industry!”
Read on to learn more about these influential Webcorians in AEC:
Few can say they thrive in high-pressure environments quite like April. From SFO Harvey Milk Terminal 1 to LAX CORES to her current assignment, the LAX Wayfinding Enhancement Project (WEP), April’s skillfully tackled the challenges of fast-paced, complex aviation projects with her vast expertise and solutions-driven mindset.
“April loves nothing more than a challenge,” says Project Director, Design Wayne Campbell. “She’s been on high-stress projects her entire career and excelled on each one. To her, a boring/bad project is death. We share a motto: ‘Life’s too short for bad projects!’”
In 2022, SFO’s Harvey Milk T1 became the first airport terminal in the world to achieve LEED Platinum and WELL Core Platinum certification—a historic achievement largely driven by April’s sustainability and design expertise.
The next year, she was promoted to design/project manager, a dual role that reflects her diverse professional experience and well-rounded educational background—a bachelor’s in architecture, master’s in construction management, LEED AP accreditation, and DBIA certification.
As the design/project manager on LAX WEP, April’s constantly solving problems and ensuring the design-build team has what they need to move forward. A fierce advocate for community engagement, she also works closely with the project’s small business partners and spearheads Webcor’s commitment to the project’s 25 percent local hire requirement.
“April cares deeply about community and the environment,” Wayne says. “She was Austin’s only sustainability expert, and now she’s the lead expert in Webcor’s LA office. She defends diverse supplier engagement and supporting their growth through Webcor partnerships. Most of all, she’s involved with local schools, community organizations, and inclusivity groups. She’ll never tell you outright, but she’s working to change the industry.”
“April’s leadership on the LAX WEP proves that having a solutions-oriented, people-empowering woman at the helm of design development drives open communication and mutually beneficial innovation within a project team,” Sharla adds. “She loves finding smarter ways to work, takes time to listen and reflect, and knows the power of people and collaboration."
April looks forward to delivering airports long after WEP’s completion. Over the next few years, she plans to continue advancing in the aviation sector and building more high-profile international airports. Throughout the journey, she’ll keep advocating for herself and taking on daunting challenges—something she advises all early-career professionals, especially women, to embrace as their careers progress.
“This young woman’s knowledge of airports, love for art, drive to create world-class projects, and commitment to community never cease to amaze me,” Sharla says. “I look forward to her many successes!”
Driving business growth in a fiercely competitive region comes with a level of pressure most people would define as “crushing.” Fortunately, Brooke isn’t one of those people.
As senior director, business development, Brooke’s focused on keeping Webcor a key player in the LA market by tracking down and opening doors to the right opportunities, strategically employing her business network, and forging new connections with potential clients that align with Webcor’s business strategy and core values.
“Brooke’s been an amazing asset to Webcor,” says Sr. VP, Project Planning Allison McCue. “I’m so grateful that she decided to join our team. Her extensive knowledge, experience, and connections in the LA area have opened so many new doors for Webcor and really changed our image in the region.”
Chief Estimator Sam Khatibi says Brooke’s become the first person he contacts when he hears rumors of a potential pursuit that would be a good fit for Webcor or of a client interested in hiring a general contractor early on. He knows that if anyone at Webcor will have an answer, it’ll be Brooke.
“Brooke speaks up, knows our competition, and pre-plans,” Sam says. “She has great people skills—she’s kind, compassionate, outgoing, always maintains a positive attitude, and gets along very well with everyone in LA’s Precon and Operations team.”
Beyond her business development responsibilities, however, Brooke’s passionate about giving back to LA’s AEC community through mentorship and industry group involvement. Over the last three years, she’s guest-lectured at SCI-Arc, UC Berkeley, and Woodbury University, served on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Business Council, and served on Urban Land Institute (ULI) LA’s Leadership and Innovation Councils.
“I want to continue fostering new relationships and creating opportunities for Webcor while giving back, whether by supporting emerging leaders, strengthening our own team internally, or mentoring students,” Brooke says. “Teaching the soft skills that drive success in this industry is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work.”
“Seeing Brooke empower other women in the industry by promoting them internally and externally is refreshing,” Sharla says. “She not only speaks on important issues and initiatives through her work with ULI LA but also welcomes unique perspectives into the discussion with a focus on community and volunteerism.”
Brooke’s optimistic about the industry’s future and strongly believes there’s never been a better time for women to thrive in construction. “The opportunities are endless, and the landscape is evolving in exciting ways,” she says. “I urge all women entering the industry to embrace challenges, build strong relationships, and welcome the opportunity to contribute, engage and claim space at the table.”
She’s thankful for the many mentors who have helped her navigate her diverse career in AEC—from real estate to design to construction. She’s especially thankful for VP, Business Development Lorcan Kearney, who hired her nearly three years ago: “Lorcan recognized my potential and empowered me to drive Webcor’s impact on the LA market. I’m incredibly grateful!”
If you ask Rosa which Webcor core value resonates with her the most, she’ll respond instantly: Community. As Estimating/Outreach Manager for Webcor’s Southern California region, Rosa’s spent the better part of the last decade cultivating crucial relationships with LA’s small, local, and disadvantaged business community on behalf of Webcor at trade partner outreach events.
These events are where partnerships with diverse businesses for projects/pursuits are born, culminating in fruitful relationships that strengthen LA’s diverse business community and stimulate the city’s economy.
Local outreach events give diverse businesses a chance to connect with our project team members, get prequalified and added to Webcor’s list of qualified subcontractors, and begin building long-term business relationships with us.
For Rosa, that’s what it’s all about—championing LA’s small business community by equipping them with the right resources and connecting them with the right opportunities. Nothing makes her prouder than finding out a small business she helped prequalify was officially hired onto a Webcor project and is thriving as a valued business partner.
“I’ll never forget when someone on the Hollywood Park Retail project thanked me for introducing them to a new painting contractor that was small business-certified,” she says. “I met that painting contractor at an outreach event we hosted in San Diego in July 2021, got them prequalified, introduced them to Webcor’s team, and eventually got him on a couple projects. I’ll also never forget when I finally saw an electrical trade partner I’d met at a 2019 outreach event win their first job with us at the LAX WEP!”
Looking ahead, Rosa plans to continue advancing within the outreach department. She sees herself eventually becoming the outreach and partnerships manager for Southern California, a role that would position her to connect even more diverse trade partners with relevant Webcor opportunities.
“I’ve met so many wonderful people in various trades and would love to see them finally have an opportunity to work with Webcor and vice versa,” she says. “Everyone deserves a chance, and I want to help foster these partnerships and help the communities in which we work—something we’re now doing through our workforce development partnerships with LAX and Cristo Rey schools in Southern California.”
Sharla says that partnering with Rosa on Webcor’s outreach efforts has been a highlight of her tenure at Webcor. Nearly three years after meeting, Rosa’s unwavering dedication to uplifting others and desire to learn continue to inspire her.
“Rosa uses her procurement expertise to make real community impact,” Sharla says. “Her efforts to continuously improve the diversity of our contracting pool has not only opened doors for small businesses, but for Webcor as well.”
Field Administration Manager Judy Gomez has been similarly inspired by Rosa’s tireless commitment to excellence in all she does—especially uplifting small businesses.
“Rosa’s impact on Webcor is rooted in her outstanding ability to build meaningful business relationships,” Judy says. “Her greatest contribution lies in her willingness to go above and beyond to assist everyone, even when the tasks fall outside her responsibilities. She sets a standard of support and reliability that inspires us all.”
Rosa advises anyone with ambitious career goals—especially women in male-dominated fields like construction—to follow their instincts and let their passion drive their work.
“Persistency pays off,” she says. “If you’re passionate about something, don’t hesitate. If someone tries to discourage you from doing something, listen to your heart and stay on your path.”
Fortunately, Rosa’s had no shortage of supporters and mentors over the course of her nearly decade-long career at Webcor.
“Thank you to Judy, my mentor and dear friend; Sr. Dept. Support Manager Diane Oliver, my biggest supporter and cheerleader; Sharla, my other mentor who’s taught me a lot and from whom I still have so much to learn; and last but not least, Sr. Manager, Project Controls Candy Kong Kee, my partner/collaborator on all outreach events. I thank all of you for supporting me and sharing your knowledge.”
“I also want to give a huge shout-out to my fellow Women of Influence, April and Brooke, for being recognized by LABJ! This is very well-deserved, and I’m proud to work with these two amazing women!”
Elfreida Smith always knew she was good with her hands and enjoyed working outdoors. But it took a mentor's encouragement and the right timing to finally make construction her career.
A San Francisco local, Elfreida grew up fascinated by construction but initially questioned if it was right for her. "When I was younger, I wondered if construction was really what I wanted," she recalls. With younger children at the time, her early mornings and inflexible hours made construction's early start times seem undoable. Life shifted after her mother's passing in 2019, prompting her to reconsider her path. A conversation with a mentor and family friend reignited her interest.
With her children older and Elfreida spending some time helping care for her granddaughter, she joined Webcor in July 2022, working as a laborer on the Biosolids Digester Facilities Project (BDFP) for the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. Her role is diverse and vital -- she handles demolition support, flagging, traffic control, dust management, site cleanliness, and more -- all typical of a project laborer. Safety is a key priority: Ensuring her team wears complete PPE and identification badges is part of her daily routine.
The journey to her current role began five years ago with stints at Azul and Berko, culminating at Webcor, where she feels deeply supported. Elfreida credits Webcor for expanding her career opportunities and providing crucial resources, from housing assistance and counseling to fostering an environment supportive of women. Through BDFP's "Build Her" initiative, she has found a supportive community where women discuss and overcome workplace challenges together.
"I remember when Build Her started," Elfreida says. "They brought three of us into a room to brainstorm how Webcor could support women better, discussing childcare challenges and work-life balance. It became a space where we felt truly heard."
Despite occasional on-site challenges—like navigating moments when some male colleagues hesitate to assist or insist on taking over—Elfreida stands firm in advocating for herself. "If something is overwhelming, I ask for help, but I make it clear that I just need assistance, not someone to do it for me. They respect that."
One of the highlights for Elfreida has been seeing the increasing presence of women across various trades on the BDFP project, from electricians to engineers. "To be part of this is inspiring," she says. "Us women, we're doing some amazing things."
Looking to the future, Elfreida remains open to opportunities within construction. Her diverse background—she worked in banking before moving into construction—demonstrates her adaptability and determination. Although she never imagined herself in construction, she now embraces the satisfaction and joy her work brings.
Away from the jobsite, Elfreida enjoys attending concerts, exploring different foods, shopping, and spending quality time with friends and family. Wine tasting with friends is a highlight for her. She also hikes and enjoys the occasional spa day. While she appreciates her quiet moments as a self-described introvert, her weekends include church services, where she surrounds herself with positivity and support.
Elfreida’s story of resilience, growth, and the power of mentorship proves it's never too late to pursue your passion and find fulfillment.
