WE USA

Women of Influence Spotlight – Alyssa Holden

Alyssa Holden is the Assistant Operations Manager for Barrett Paving Midwest Central, which is a part of Barrett Industries, the Colas USA subsidiary that operates throughout the Northeast United States. Alyssa has been a part of the Colas USA Family since 2006 and has worked as a Quality Control Technician, Lab Supervisor, Operations Coordinator, Shop Clerk, Manufacturing Administrator, and Assistant Operations Manager.

Read more about Casey through the following spotlight.

Describe your role to someone who is not familiar with the construction industry or Colas USA.
In my current role, I help oversee our region’s 9 hot mix asphalt (HMA) plants and manage the asphalt sales team. I help with coordination between the plants, quality control, and construction personnel to ensure operations run smoothly.

What has been your favorite project so far?
One of my favorite projects that I worked on was while I was at the Colas Solutions HMA Lab. We created a mix design using Bituclair. Bituclair is a synthetic binder similar to bitumen, but it does not have the black color. This project was for Dawson City, Yukon and would be used on Front Street. This project was unique because it was the first time Bituclair was used in North America. Our sister company in Canada, Terus, produced and laid the mix, and it was very cool that I had a small part in it with doing the mix design.

What drew you to working within the construction industry?
My father worked in the construction industry for 40 years, 29 of those with Barrett Paving Materials. As a little girl I would always love going to work with him on Saturdays. I realized from a young age that the highway construction industry helped people get from point A to point B and there would always be a need.

What motivates you to wake up and go to work every day?
Working with people who are more like family than coworkers is one of my motivations to go to work every day. The Midwest Central region has a close-knit team that works hard for one another and for the same goal. It is a privilege to work with a team who has your back, celebrates with you and understands when times are tough. Having a great group of people to work with makes work enjoyable.

What’s something most people don’t know about you?
In my spare time my family and I like to show cattle and run a small hobby farm. I am heavily involved in our county’s 4-H program and currently am the 4-H Committee President.

From her nomination:

“Alyssa is a respected and strong leader in the construction industry, distinguished by her exceptional knowledge and work ethic. In addition to her professional achievements, she is deeply involved in her family farm and actively serves on her local 4-H board supporting youth. Alyssa also initiated the startup of the Women of Asphalt Ohio Chapter along with a few other Barrett and Colas employees. Alyssa is a great example of an employee who can successfully grow in a company, and industry. Taking on numerous challenges in her career and personal life has developed her into a person worthy of this recognition.”