This article is one in a series of conversations with women leaders in the construction industry. Click here for past discussions.
Linda Rosati started her career in the early 1990s as a draftsperson, after learning the skill from her father and taking a high school class on the subject.
Her first task at a local design firm was technical writing of welding fixture maintenance manuals. During that job, she learned AutoCAD and attended college in the evenings to get her bachelor’s in business management and marketing.
“I lived on my own at a young age and wanted to be able to continue to support myself, so my choices were more about survival,” she said. “I had a strong interest in mechanical design, I loved math and algebra, and had good instincts.”
After a variety of jobs with companies as varied as Ingersoll Rand’s Ergonomic Handling Division, Heller Machine Tool, The State Group and Commercial Contracting Corp., Rosati joined The Boldt Co.’s Detroit office in 2021.
She was promoted to vice president of business development earlier this year, a role in which she provides both organizational and strategic leadership to expand the contractor’s client base in the automotive sector.
Here, Rosati talks with Construction Dive about the onshoring boom, shaping a meaningful career and her experience as a working mother.
Answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
CONSTRUCTION DIVE: What do you do in your current job?
LINDA ROSATI: I lead the development of large-scale construction projects for primarily advanced manufacturing and automotive/mobility related firms by developing relationships with owners, design partners, trade partners, community leaders and philanthropic organizations. I also work with the leaders of our markets outside of the manufacturing sector such as power, food and beverage and healthcare in Michigan to grow our market share.
What are a few of the projects you’ve most enjoyed working on and why?
The mobility projects that I’ve enjoyed most are those that are transitioning the powertrain from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles. If you would have asked me five years ago if I expected to see more major manufacturing plants built in our country I would have easily said no. The amount of investment in onshoring and automated manufacturing processes in our country is incredible.
Boldt’s involvement in advanced manufacturing projects as well as innovative building designs that include prefabrication and modular and the use of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly principles in construction has brought me back to my roots in automotive manufacturing.
As a mother of two, how have you balanced your work and home commitments?
I was working at Ingersoll Rand when I was pregnant with my first daughter in 2001. I loved my job, but upon having my daughter, I offered multiple ideas for different work combinations to keep my job and be a mom.
In 2001, no ideas were considered. I had two choices from my boss, come back in the exact same capacity or “leave your key and credit card with your resignation.” I decided to stay home and try being a stay-at-home mom. By 2003, I had my second daughter. My daughters are my No. 1 priority; however, I was not completely fulfilled being home all day.
In an effort to try something new I got my real estate license. I began selling residential real estate part time, and eventually went full time to sell in luxury custom home communities.
I continued to foster my AutoCAD skills by drawing custom designs that we would send to the architect for home buyers when they would visit me in the sales office.
What benefits are there to working in construction?
It is a field that has endless possibilities, if you love numbers you can estimate or you can work in accounting or be a field project controller. If you're creative you can work in really any department, if you love to problem solve and create value there's a spot for you.
If you simply like to do the same thing every day over and over there's a place for you too. If you dig deep and look at every single job you can have at a construction company most people can be fulfilled.
Although women are still a minority in this industry, the construction field offers competitive salaries and a place at the table. Our voices are being heard and we are changing history by being a part of some of the most amazing developments our country has ever seen. Our views and insights on projects are valuable and need be shared and incorporated for better project outcomes.
What advice would you give to young women considering construction as a career?
My advice is to find a company that has respect for people and a willingness to make you part of the team. If you don't find it in the first company you get to, keep trying.
Find one that will welcome your insight, opinions and work ethic. I also suggest finding male and female mentors, they will help you develop in places where you may have a gap. We all have a gap in different things and an outside perspective can be very helpful in career development.
