Kristy Huysman, executive vice president of Gettysburg Commercial Corporation in Longwood, Florida, followed her father’s footsteps into the construction industry.
“My father was in commercial construction. Even though I went to college for criminology, I took a part-time job in construction to help pay for school,” she said. “There became a point I fell in love with the construction industry and decided to pursue the construction field.”
Huysman’s career has been marked by pivotal moments, such as when the company’s president asked her to assume the executive vice president role. “It was a very special moment in my career,” she said. “I am 49 and started in the industry at 19. I worked very hard to get to this place in my life. It felt wonderful that there was someone who noticed my abilities.”
If she could give her younger self one piece of advice about succeeding in this industry, Huysman said it would be to be patient.
“Have more faith in yourself,” she said. “For years I had ‘impostor syndrome’ and didn't think I was as good at my job — a senior estimator at that time — and that one day, someone would realize it. I got inside my own head.”
A misconception about women in construction Huysman would like to debunk is that they don’t know as much as men. “Sometimes, we know more,” she said.
Huysman appreciates the mentors she had in her career for teaching her what she needed to know to get to where she is, including Gary Vanhouten, her former boss and vice president of estimating at Pertree Constructors.
Another mentor: Dale Hodges, the president of Gettysburg Commercial Corporation. “I made the move from ground-up estimating to TI estimating,” she said. “It was a huge difference. He taught me so much.”
Huysman tries to mentor women in her company every chance she gets by teaching, pointing out complexities on plans or letting them listen in on weekly meetings. “If there is a woman in your company who wants to learn project management, estimating or even a place out in the field, give her a chance,” Huysman advises. “Teach her what you know. You may just have found your best PM, estimator or field worker.”
“A lot can be learned just by listening,” she added.
Outside of work, Huysman was an avid fan of the outdoors and enjoyed hiking and surfing. Since her lupus diagnosis, she's found new activities she loves, including watching movies and snuggling with her dog.