Collins shepherds projects from start to finish at Gilbane

Mary Collins – Gilbane Building Co.

Mary Collins has been drawn to construction for as long as she can remember.

“I have always been the one out of my siblings to be interested in how things are built,” she said.

Collins, a native of the Chicago suburbs, graduated from Marquette University in 2006 with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. She is now a project executive at Gilbane Building Co.

She is directly involved in all phases of any given project, and works with owners, architects, engineers and trade contractors to achieve their goals.

Collins said her favorite part of the job is “learning the technical aspects of systems and products and coordinating with the various contractors to figure out how to put them together for the best outcome. I also enjoy teaching and coaching the other team members.”

“Mary has experienced many significant accomplishments throughout the past year,” said Fred Wenger, sales and marketing specialist at Gilbane. “One of her major accomplishments was being promoted to project executive from senior project manager. Mary has proven herself time and time again that she is a strong leader and Gilbane Building Company has acknowledged that by this significant promotion.

“She has steadily climbed the ranks at Gilbane through hard work and skill as an exceptional construction professional starting as a project manager, then senior project manager and now a project executive,” Wenger added.

Collins also believes in giving back. For the past several years she has been a mentor for the ACE program in Milwaukee, which works with high school students and seeks to build a large, diverse and prepared workforce.

“She has worked with many high school students, enlightening them and encouraging them to pursue a career in architecture, construction or engineering,” Wenger said. “Mary’s dedication as an ACE mentor fully embodies one of Gilbane’s core values, which is caring.”