One of the state’s largest woman-owned commercial real estate firms is celebrating the contribution of its female team members during national Women in Construction Week from March 5-11.
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WIC Week, or Women in Construction Week, celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry. The National Association of Women in Construction held the first WIC Week in 1998 and it has grown and expanded each year since. Many of its local chapters hold WIC Week events, which can include making presentations to high school classes, job site tours, luncheons and virtual events.
This year’s theme, ‘Many Paths, One Mission’, celebrates the different journeys women have taken toward the same goal: strengthening and amplifying the success of women in the construction industry. Construction firms of all sizes and types participate in WIC Week and show their support for their women employees.
Plaza Companies — founded by its Chairman and CEO Sharon Harper in 1982 — is one of the Valley’s largest woman-owned businesses in Arizona by revenue and has been a leader in development, construction, leasing and property management for many years. Along with Harper, the company’s leadership and team include:
• Susan Byram, LEED AP, Vice President of Design and Construction, joined the Plaza team with a decade of project management and construction experience. Her numerous responsibilities include all aspects of construction management for development projects including tenant and capital improvements. She earned her Masters in Real Estate Development from ASU and is the Qualifying Party for the B-1 General Commercial Contractor license held by Plaza Companies.
• Janine Salaverria, Preconstruction Manager, has been a key part of the Plaza construction team for the past three years, and has nearly two decades of experience in the field. She works closely with the Plaza team and clients and tenants throughout the preconstruction process. Her responsibilities include creating and managing budgets and ensuring the scopes of work are detailed and accurate.
• Elizabeth Berry, Project Manager, is a member of Plaza’s Development team and works closely with the Design and Construction department on all aspects of new development projects leading up to the start of construction. She is exceptional at facilitating communication and ensuring everything stays on schedule.
• Peggy Maxwell, Senior Vice President Property and Facilities Management, oversees the company’s efforts with third-party real estate and property management operations while serving as a hands-on senior property manager for new portfolios. She works with the Plaza construction team on tenant and capital improvements for the properties she manages.
They are just a few of women who lead the Plaza Companies’ work — five women serve on the company’s Executive Council — and oversee a portfolio of more than 14 million square feet.
“We are very proud of the contributions that the women of Plaza Companies are making to the construction and real estate industries,” Harper said. “We have some of the most talented and effective team members in the Phoenix market and I continue to be impressed by their professionalism and skill.”
Byram said that working for a company that values the input of women has been very rewarding.
“Plaza Companies has created a culture that empowers growth and leadership, and it is exciting to be part of it,” she said. “I enjoy working with our clients and partners as we build a bright future for the company and the community.”
Plaza Companies’ portfolio features numerous high-profile projects including SkySong, The ASU Scottsdale Innovation Center, Park Central, VI Living Communities and the TGen Building, among others.
Plaza Companies, based in Peoria, Arizona, is an esteemed leader in the developing and managing of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. Since its founding in 1982, this full-service, specialized real estate firm has established a proud portfolio stretching across the greater Phoenix area of more than 14 million square feet in properties developed, leased or managed and valued at more than $1 billion. For more information about Plaza Companies, visit ThePlazaCo.com.
