The construction industry has designated Women in Construction Week as a time to recognize, inspire, and congratulate hardworking, talented women in a typically male-dominated field. We at Caliente Construction are active supporters of this mission. We want to take a moment to appreciate, inspire, and congratulate the women making a difference in the A/E/C industry. In honor of Women in Construction Week, we wanted to hear personal experiences from women at our company.
Meet Lisa Autino, Chief Financial Officer
Lisa has been in the construction industry since 1992. In 2015, she joined the Caliente Team to become our CFO. Last year, she was awarded the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) of the Year award at the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Conference.
What she has to say:
What has been the most memorable moment in your career?
In my 30+ years, I have had several memorable moments: 1) Being asked to become an owner at Corbins Electric when Bill Corbin was working on succession; 2) Earning my CCIFP designation 25 years after college graduation; and 3) being chosen as CCIFP of the Year by CFMA in 2022.
What are the advantages of being a woman in construction?
Being a woman in construction has opened up doors by being involved both locally and nationally in CFMA, as well as non-profit volunteering, by getting to know others and forging great relationships. I believe having experience in public accounting (tax) gave me an edge in providing services to private owners and learning the business, which has led to earning respect and increased responsibilities.
What advice would you give to a young woman entering the industry?
Construction is an exciting industry with a great deal of variety. If you do not want to do the same thing day in and day out, seriously consider construction. There is always something new to learn, and you will not be bored. There are a multitude of opportunities in the industry.
What is the best part of your job?
I enjoy being a leader and helping both leaders in the organization as well as those up and coming through mentoring.
How do you think construction can attract more female candidates?
By having women in the industry share their stories. Some women may still think that the industry isn’t for women. I’ve seen the numbers increase quite a bit, but there is still room for growth.
What makes you proud of working at Caliente Construction?
Being able to educate/mentor others as new pronouncements have affected the industry, such as TPT/sales tax, Revenue Recognition, and the Lease Standard. Additionally, showcasing the importance of the Work in Process (WIP) because it is the most important piece of a contractor’s balance sheet. Understanding the numbers is paramount.
What do you think is the most important change happening in the construction industry?
Improvements in technology. The pandemic forced us to do this as the industry had been behind. We’ve made quite a bit of progress.
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Caliente Construction would like to congratulate all the women in construction. We’ve been in business for over 31 years and are thrilled to be part of a world acknowledging women’s incredible capabilities in this and virtually every other industry and occupation. We celebrate Women in Construction week with great pride, particularly the women at Caliente Construction. Congratulations on your outstanding contributions and accomplishments throughout your professional careers!
And to all women in our industry, partners, and employees—Thank You! As you continue to advance, we are committed to supporting you at every level this week and for years to come.