Tag: Electrical contractor

Thank you for visiting our new “Spotlight ON” feature where we will be speaking with members of the Gaston Team and asking them questions about their careers, backgrounds, and interests.

We’re kicking off this new series with Journeywoman Heather MacMaster. At the time of this post, Heather is working at the Boston University Center for Computing and Data Sciences Building.

How long have you been an Electrician?

Nearly 20 years.

Tell me how things have changed regarding Women on jobsites over your 20 years?

I went from being one of the only females onsite to being one of five on my current job. Females currently make up 10% of construction in Mass and are more accepted on jobsites.

I know you started a Facebook Group recently with some friends. What’s the name of it?

 It is called Boston Union Trade Sisters.

How did you start this group?

During the pandemic last year, I was talking to an old friend from another Local about the idea of starting a Facebook Group for all Women in the trades. It started with 5 Women and has grown to almost 700 in one year. 

Why did you start this group?

We wanted to create a safe space for Women in the trades to network, get advice on work-related issues and personal matters, and build a community of strong, confident females working in the construction field.

What has surprised you about this group of Women?

Seeing the amount of support people receive from strangers. It’s an uplifting group of Women; we really feel like sisters.

I understand you hold events throughout the year. What kind of events has your group hosted?

We’ve held bowling nights, self-defense class, cookouts, dance lessons, a double-dutch tournament – and soon we’re hosting our first Gala.

Can you talk more about the Gala? Tell me about the inspiration for this event and what should people expect if they attend?

The Facebook Group founders wanted to celebrate everything we’ve accomplished this past year. The Gala takes place on April 2^nd in Quincy. We’ve already sold out and expect nearly 300 people. We’re going to have female speakers talking about the importance of Women in construction as well as dinner, dancing, and raffles to raise funds for the group and community.

What can we expect to see from Boston Union Trade Sisters in the future?

We’re hoping to grow, offer more continuing education for Women, and inspire other cities/states to create their own community of Tradeswomen.

In the wake of Covid-19 contractors, are faced with new challenges regarding workplace productivity, scheduling, and worker safety. With a lot of communication and planning – leading construction firms have been able to adapt to new guidelines, and develop new protocols for a safe return to work.

Recently, Mike Weber and Greg Skalaski, Executive Vice President for Shawmut Design and Construction’s western division spoke with Kim Slowey at ConstructionDive.com – sharing industry insight and best practices.

Click here for the full article at ConstructionDive.com

Recently, ENR New England named Harvard’s Pagliuca Life Lab to its list of 2017 Best Projects in the Higher Education category. The Gaston Electrical Team worked closely with General Contractor Shawmut Design and Construction and other project team members (including Shepley Bulfinch, Reed Hilderbrand, R.G. Vanderwell Engineers, NRB Modular, and Triumph Modular) on this innovative project. Access the full article here.

Learn more about the project here.

On June 1st, Gaston Electrical hosted the 2017 Summer Open House for all office & field teams. The event celebrated recent successes, offered a chance for everyone to connect, gave Principals Bill and Mike time to share news about exciting upcoming projects. Highlights included awesome BBQ, refreshments from Castle Island Brewery, and amazing door prizes from some of our friends at Granite City Electric, Northeast Electrical, Newman Associates, NES Rentals, NEFCO, and Standard Electric. Thanks to everyone who attended – we look forward to seeing you in 2018.

Gaston Electrical works tirelessly to ensure a safe work environment for clients and employees on all jobsites. During the week of May 8th – 12th, the Gaston Team is participating in OSHA’s 2017 National Safety Stand Down. Rick Coakley, Corporate Safety Director is visiting Gaston jobsites during the week and will be conducting a stand down training on fall prevention. Below are photos of our Teams from various projects around the Greater Boston area.

May 8th – Harvard – Standish Hall / Cambridge, MA / Lee Kennedy

May 9th – AMGEN / Cambridge, MA / Suffolk Construction

May 10th – BU – Myles Standish Hall / Boston, MA / Shawmut Design & Construction

May 11th – BU – Joan & Edgar Booth Theatre Complex / Boston, MA / Bond

May 12th – Wayfair Copley Place / Boston, MA / Columbia Construction

What a fantastic week – we successfully participated in the OSHA 2017 National Safety Stand Down. The informative fall prevention training led by Corporate Safety Director Rick Coakley will help to ensure safer work environments for our team and project partners! Looking forward to 2018. 

Project Executive Brian Jasinski recently provided insight on Project Manager qualities as part of the ongoing United Rentals “Project Uptime” Series. Click here to read the full article.

Gaston Electrical Principal Mike Weber recently spoke with Electrical Contractor magazine on the benefits and safe use of hole saws within the electrical contracting business. Read more about Mike’s interview here.