Christy Babcock – Walbec Group

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Christy Babcock takes pride in everything she does.

“Whether it’s running a curb machine or finishing concrete, the finished product is always important to me,” said Babcock, a cement mason/heavy equipment operator for Zenith Tech.

“Running a curb machine, you want it to come out nice so you don’t work the guys in the back too hard.”

Babcock completed an apprenticeship as a Local 599 cement mason and worked to develop into one of the trades’ strongest finishers over the past few decades. She also learned to run pavers and became a JW Heavy Equipment Operator.

With 25 years of experience, she is a leader among her peers.

“With all of her experience, she’s never shy to lend a hand to demonstrate, help and show newer tradespeople how to do something,” said Kilah Engelke, business agent for OPCMIA Local 599. “She takes an active role in participating in trainings, in advancement opportunities and whenever there is something she can do to volunteer for outreach, she’s there.

“With her experience, her advice is so valuable to young people and those who are considering the trades or navigating their careers in the trades.”

One of the challenging things about her job, Babcock said, is keeping up with some of the changes in technology.

“Change can be hard to adjust to when you’re used to doing things the way you’re used to.”

Babcock is a mom and a wife in addition to managing her career.

“She goes above and beyond at work, making sure her brothers and sisters around her are taken care of and she’s seen as a loving mother figure,” Engelke said. “She does removal of snow during the winter and is always available to help and lend a hand in her community and is recognized as such. Christy is always someone you can count on to help.”