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… begin with short term goals and achieve those before setting out for the long term goals. In order to continue to move up, you have to learn and achieve everything in between. Self-motivation plays a huge part, along with persistence and taking the initiative to learn more. |
Meet Division Equipment Manager Sandy Mesquita
Where did you receive your training?
Mesquita: I was hired as a temp by John Sharp at Blythe Construction in December 2002 and was hired permanently in February 2003 working as an Administrative Assistant in the Equipment Division.
Can you give us a brief history of the jobs you have done, training and promotions you have received over the years?
After working as an Administrative Assistant, I progressed on to being the Equipment Accountant, which consisted of processing all Equipment Payables, inter-company billing and journal entries. My responsibilities continued to grow from there. I learned each accounting aspect of how equipment is allocated and how each individual account rolled into the Profit/Loss statements. I assisted in the Equipment CAPEX Budgets, Maintenance and Repair Budgets and Shop Budgets. Because I didn't go out into the field, I began taking specification books and videos home to study the technical aspects. I would also walk out into the equipment shop and simply ask, “What is this and what does it do?” In 2005, I was promoted to Equipment Support Supervisor and then Manager.
Some of the training I've had has been through the AEMP (Association of Equipment Management Professionals). I attended a few conferences and passed the CEM (Certified Equipment Manager) exam. This exam consists of 16 concentrated areas ranging from Environmental and Life Cycle Analysis to Preventive Maintenance. In April 2007, I transferred to Hubbard's Tampa Division
(Blythe's sister company)
where I was promoted to Division Equipment Manager.
Who were your coaches/mentors and why?
Throughout the last five years, my mentors have been Bill White who was previously with Blythe and is now the Corporate Equipment Manager for the Hubbard Group
(the parent company of both Blythe and Hubbard Construction)
, and John Sharp, the Asphalt Division Equipment Manager at Blythe. They both have taught me so much. Bill has always pushed me to reach the next level and John supported me and really taught me to think for myself. They have been a great support team.
What challenges have you faced in your career ?
My biggest challenge was leaving my comfort zone at Blythe and moving to Tampa which was all foreign to me. I had always been behind the scenes and now it is my turn to stand out and justify or answer to any equipment issues. I have been very fortunate to work with a wonderful team of people here at Hubbard which has made my transition even easier.
You are currently a top manager in the equipment division and one of the top female managers in the company, what advice would you give to other women in our industry?
Because of our specific industry and working with predominately men, the main focus is getting the job done and overlooking the “gender ratio”. My advice would be to begin with short term goals and achieve those before setting out for the long term goals. In order to continue to move up, you have to learn and achieve everything in between. Self-motivation plays a huge part, along with persistence and taking the initiative to learn more.
