As we celebrated Women’s History Month in March, we showcased the people and businesses in St. Pete who not only support equality externally, but live by it internally. As it turns out, one of Tampa Bay’s biggest private employers, headquartered in north St. Pete, is the perfect example of a local company paving the way for women to excel in what has historically been a male-driven field.
Power Design got its start as a family-owned and operated small business here in St. Pete. As it has grown into one of the nation’s leading design build contractors, it has stayed true to its roots, with co-founder and co-chairman Dana Permuy leading alongside her husband Mitch Permuy since day one. In the construction industry, where women typically make up as little as a single percentage point of the workforce, Power Design is the rare company with more than just a token number of women in the workforce.
In fact, Power Design is one of the most proactive in the country at providing pathways for both men and women to get into construction, no matter their background. From hands-on training programs to internal mentorship, the company fosters healthy growth for all of its employees and paves a path for women in the typically male-dominated field. It’s one of the many reasons Power Design has annually been ranked among the best workplaces in America, and we’re proud to call them one of our local stars.
Earlier this month, Power Design held its annual Women in Construction Week celebration. It was an opportunity to not only celebrate the women in the company now, but to highlight the pathways for those employees to succeed and to put a spotlight on their efforts to attract even more talent. In an economy where most companies are shrinking, Power Design is actively adding to its team year-round.
This year’s celebration in St. Pete brought together powerhouse women from across the company for real conversations, real connections, and a lot of inspiration along the way. Women from Power Design’s jobsites across the country flew down to headquarters for the empowering and high-energy gathering.
Perhaps the most impactful part of the Women In Construction Week was the panel discussion that brought all the women under one roof. Women in positions throughout the company spoke to their experiences, and they’ve encouraged other women to look to construction as not only a viable career path, but one in which they can truly thrive.
“Ladies, don’t be intimidated by the idea of working in construction,” said Erika Edwards, Senior Systems Coordinator. “Be yourself, be confident, and know that you can thrive with the skills you bring to the table. I think this week is about setting that example for women to see that it’s not scary to be in a male-dominated industry. It’s an honor for them to see, ‘wow, she’s rockin’ it in a man’s world.”
Another employee noted the difference at Power Design. The company doesn’t think women are better than men. Nor does it think they’re worse. The key is that everyone has the opportunity to learn, to prove themselves, and to be rewarded for it.
At Power Design, no one cares about your gender,” said Evan Wetzel, Business Analyst. “They care that you show up every day, put your best foot forward, and are willing to learn and grow. There’s no sugarcoating it; the construction industry is very demanding. It’s fast-paced and often high-pressure, but it’s taught me that I’m a badass – that I can show up and do everything just as well as the boys, and sometimes even better.”
It’s easy to see what makes Power Design such a popular place for a career.
Power Design sets an industry standard
As for the work of the company itself, Power Design has grown into something of a one-stop shop for construction developers. Their engineering and design-build expertise has made them one of the go-to companies across the country.
Specifically, they focus on electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and systems technologies buildout for construction projects. By specializing in so many different areas (a rarity in the field), Power Design helps streamline construction processes by doing the work of what typically requires multiple contractors.
Photo courtesy Power Design, Inc.
Of course, while it’s their professional services that make them important to their clients and partners, it’s Power Design’s role in the community that makes it special to St. Pete. It’s a rarity in so many of Florida’s growing cities to have such a large company not only headquartered locally, but founded there. Power Design is entrenched as an economic driver for the individuals and families who actually live in St. Pete and the surrounding areas.
Learn more about Power Design, and look for careers at St. Pete’s largest private employer, at powerdesigninc.us.