Women of Asphalt
Meet A Woman of Asphalt: Ajax’s Jessica S. Kiesel As we shared in the July 2021 edition, Ajax Paving Industries of Florida LLC can boast a number of Women of Asphalt (WofA) on its team. Among them is Project Manager Jessica S. Kiesel, who joined the asphalt industry in 2020 after working in the construction field since 2005. “I ran the operations of a sitework and underground utility company as the vice president for the past eight years, and I am very excited to be a new member of the Ajax Paving team,” she said. She entered construction in 2005 as a project manager and finds that role gratifying. “The project manager position is extremely dynamic. From creating the schedule to managing subcontractors, negotiating with clients, leading the project team and problem solving, there is never a dull moment or a day that goes as planned. You are consistently challenged, which is very rewarding.” Kiesel was willing to share some of her career insights with readers.
portunities to build relationships. Over the years, I have pushed hard to break through this divide. Unfortunately, I have not made as much headway as I would like; but it is my goal to continue to challenge the system to make it better for my daughter and the many women that are following behind me.
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AsphaltPro: Could you share with the readers your career trajectory since high school and what challenges (or roadblocks) you’ve overcome along the way? Jessica Kiesel: I was valedictorian of my high school and had the fortunate opportunity to attend Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering. With a minor in finance, I joined an investment bank as an analyst in their technology group after graduation. When I moved to Florida, I accepted a position as a project manager in construction. Over time, I was promoted to the vice president of the company. It is a challenge to be a woman in construction. For over 10 years, I did not deal with
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AsphaltPro: What part of your education relates best to the career track you’re on? Jessica Kiesel: My senior engineering classes have been the most beneficial to my career track, but not for the reason many would think. It is not due to the content that was taught. It is the thought process that was taught. Almost all my exams were open book. One of my professors constantly reminded us that he did not need us to memorize the equations or data (we had books for that). He needed us to know where to find the information, how to interpret it, how to apply it, and how to solve the problem. That sequence of thinking is what has allowed for my success.
an owner, an executive or a project manager that was female. Many men underestimated my abilities simply due to my gender. At first, this was frustrating; but it just requires a bit of time for them to realize your value. The biggest challenge for me as a female is the social aspect to business. Many business relationships are built over social activities (dinner, drinks, golf, trips). Males in my position have multiple dinners a month with clients, vendors and associates. A fishing trip or hunting trip is generally a yearly event. As a woman, I do not get these op-
AsphaltPro: What is the most important skill you’ve brought to your position as a project manager in the asphalt industry? And how would you encourage other women entering the industry to hone a similar skill? Jessica Kiesel: The industry needs more women. There is an important balance for men and women in the workplace, and, unfortunately, the asphalt industry is still lacking in female numbers. There is a Mexican proverb that says, “Remember that a house does not exist on the ground, but it rests upon a woman.” Women have a special gift to create the atmosphere, to foster relationships, to build community, to guide ethics and values. Women play
