ENERGIZING THE INDUSTRY WITH IMPACT
ADCO Electrical Corporation is recognized for promoting diversity and inclusion within the construction industry, powered by its clientcentric approach and ability to address various technical challenges. We illuminate how the current leadership is upholding a legacy of excellence
Writer: Rachel Carr | Project Manager: Kierron Rose
The history of women in construction reveals a gradual evolution, shaped by a series of pivotal events, such as during World War II when the iconic Rosie the Riveter recruitment campaign symbolized women stepping into roles traditionally held by men.
As societal norms and stereotypes continue to shift, the narrative surrounding women in construction is also beginning to change.
An increasing number of women are opting to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields as opportunities in industries such as construction and engineering continue to grow. According to the U.S.
Department of Commerce, today, one in seven jobs is held by women – a female workforce percentage of just over 14 percent.
A prominent company that plays a significant role in impacting gender disparity in construction is ADCO Electrical Corporation (ADCO).
Established in 1977, ADCO is continuing the legacy of its founder, Richard Addeo, a well-respected leader in the industry. His mission was to create a standard of excellence in the New York electrical contracting market.
Today, Addeo’s daughter, Gina, who has served on the executive leadership team since 2011, has taken the reins as President and CEO, with her sister, Lisa, as Executive Vice President.
Since its inception, this family-run organization has been inspired by its clients’ vision, aligning with the founder’s objective of addressing technical challenges in the constantly evolving fields of lighting and low voltage design. As the complexities of the construction environment have changed, ADCO has continued to adapt.
Under Richard Addeo’s leadership, the company became a client-centric entity, maintaining its reputation
in shaping the electrical and telecommunications industry in New York City’s metropolitan area. Furthermore, ADCO’s emphasis on logistics, planning, and production capabilities are core differentiators defining its value to customers as a commercial partner.
AN EQUAL ENVIRONMENT
Gina Addeo is a strong advocate for diversity in the industry and has made significant investments in talent at all levels. Notably, she was the first woman to be appointed President of the New York Electrical Contractors Association (NYECA) and obtain a New York City Master Electrician License.
She serves on the Board of Directors for charitable organization, Friends of St. Dominic’s, the Joint Industry Board of the Electrical Industry, and various committees within NYECA. Additionally, she is part of the Negotiating Committee for contracts for the Local Union No.3 International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).
KEY FACTS ABOUT WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION
• Today, over 1.3 million women are employed in the construction sector nationwide in the US, compared to more than 10 million men.
• Since 2016, this figure has increased every year thanks to targeted training programs and grants aimed at improving diversity.
• The overall numbers reveal not only gender disparity but also the types of roles occupied by men and women, with men dominating field roles and women in more administrative positions.
• Alaska has the highest share of women in the construction sector, with Hawaii coming a close second. The city with the most female workers in the industry is Jacksonville, Florida.
• The gender pay gap is lower in construction – women tend to command higher wages than female workers in other industries.
Elsewhere, she is a member of the zenith group of the Women Presidents Organization (WPO), advocates for Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and is a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award in Business and Finance from the Stevens Institute of Technology.
ADCO is a certified woman-owned business enterprise recognized by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the City of New York, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and the School Construction Authority (SCA). The two sisters own 51 percent, selling 49 percent to an employee stock ownership plan.
The company is dedicated to empowering its employees to create and maintain a diverse and ethical workplace. It is committed to continuously improving its business practices, which is central to its culture and informs its partnerships and operations.
ADCO collaborates closely with NEW to recruit, train, and place women in careers within the unionized
construction industry, providing them access to the middle class.
The company’s leadership has been actively represented on the board of NEW for over two decades.
Local Union No.3 IBEW has achieved remarkable success in helping women enter the preapprenticeship training program at NEW, boasting the highest placement success rate for long-term employment among NEW graduates.
The program’s success is evident in the tradeswomen from NEW who have become highly skilled union electricians and are now working for ADCO.
AN INNOVATION INTERSECTION
ADCO’s approach to innovation focuses on leveraging big data analytics to improve the outcomes of the construction process.
The valuable insights gained can help identify when a project is at risk of exceeding its budget or experiencing delays. This allows project managers to address potential issues before they escalate into larger problems.
In addition to financial aspects, these analytics programs can evaluate data related to performance and safety. As a powerful digital tool, analytics can support every phase of a project, making it essential for effective planning in the construction process.
At ADCO, transitioning into a data-driven company through a multi-year initiative has fostered a safer and smarter work environment. Collaborating closely with the executive committee, the team – which includes data analysts and scientists – has developed a roadmap, architectural framework, operating model, and governance structure for the advanced technology landscape.
Focused on the intersection of people, processes, and technology, the Business Use Case virtualization platform continues to span the entire project lifecycle.
A DEPICTION OF ADCO PROJECTS
AIRPORTS AND AVIATION – TWA Hotel and Delta Terminal 4 Headhouse at John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport, Delta Sky Club, and Delta Airlines Headhouse at LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
BASE BUILDING – New York University Mercer Street campus, Alexandria Real Estate Tower, the David H. Koch Center for Cancer Care at Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Staten Island Mall expansion and solar power project.
COMMERCIAL INTERIORS – Deutsche Bank, LBrands Headquarters Space, NASDAQ MarketSite, and 21st Century Fox.
HEALTHCARE – Staten Island University Hospital, Mount Sinai Health System, New York University Langone Ambulatory Care Center East 53rd Street, and Richmond University Medical Center.
STADIUMS, ARENAS, AND VENUES – Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, David Geffen Hall at the Lincoln Center, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA).
WAREHOUSING AND LOGISTICS – Confidential Project One – a one million square foot (sqft) distribution facility, and Confidential Project Two – a 770,000 sqft premier logistics and last mile distribution center.
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A new communication strategy has successfully increased stakeholder buy-in in an industry where big data adoption has been slow. This ongoing process has led to a steady stream of business use case requests from project teams aimed at enhancing relationships and deliverables among stakeholders.
As a result, there has been improved real-time visibility, proactive risk mitigation, and a sustained focus on client-centric objectives.
CRUCIAL COMMUNITY COMMITMENTS
Since its establishment in 2007, Addeo House, founded in a collaborative effort with various other people and organizations, grants and community donations soon poured in with Gina and Lisa as the primary supporters.
The residential project is dedicated to supporting the residents of Staten Island by offering a compassionate,
homelike hospice residence for individuals facing terminal illnesses who can no longer return to their homes.
The facility is designed to provide comfort and dignity, allowing patients
to spend their final days in a nurturing environment surrounded by caring staff and volunteers.
Under the stewardship of Lisa, the company continues to uphold ADCO’s deep-rooted commitment to
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community service. This encompasses not only the operation of the hospice but also various philanthropic initiatives, including employee giving programs and volunteer opportunities primarily focused on helping children.
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VISA/ MASTERCARD ACCEPTED
The company aims to foster a sense of community and responsibility among its employees while making a tangible difference in the lives of those it serves.
Through corporate philanthropy,
ADCO has supported numerous nonprofit leaders and initiatives across various organizations.
These include the March of Dimes, Mercy Home for Children, Jewish Community Centre (JCC), Staten Island Yankees, St. George Theatre, Staten Island University Hospital, Eggers Nursing Home, Catholic Charities, Snug Harbor Cultural Fund, and many local Little League teams.
In addition to an unwavering commitment to philanthropy, ADCO’s ongoing success will leave a lasting legacy in multiple ways, ensuring that it continues to give back to communities, advocate for women in construction, and align with its clients’ vision to maintain the standard of excellence it is known for.
