Megan Muller
Victoria Stanton is a Project Engineer at Barrett Paving New York Central, which is a part of Barrett Industries, the Colas USA subsidiary that operates throughout the Northeast United States. Victoria has been a part of the Colas USA Family since 2022 and has worked as a Laborer Apprentice, Laborer, and now a Project Engineer.
Read more about Victoria through the following spotlight.
Describe your role to someone who is not familiar with the construction industry or Colas USA.
A project engineer is primarily tasked with maintaining the project’s budget and projecting the project’s financial outcome. A project engineer utilizes timesheets, HeavyJob, cost reports, plans, and experience to accurately forecast the project’s end result. Ensuring the company is paid correct quantities, assisting in scheduling, ordering materials, and providing crews with resources are all part of daily tasks for a project engineer.
What has been your favorite project so far?
As a project engineer my favorite project was the one I was on for the 2023 season. Even though it was a night job for the entire 8-month project, I learned a lot on it. Not only did I learn more about the project engineering position as a whole, but I also learned a lot about the construction industry. As a Barrett employee, though, my favorite projects are the ones I get to work on with my father. Not only are we leaving a legacy for the Barrett name, but we are also leaving a legacy for my family, as well. It’s incredibly worthwhile to drive on past projects and get to say, “I helped build that with my dad.”
What drew you to working within the construction industry?
When I graduated college, I had no clue what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to make enough money to pay off my loans and potentially live a debt-free life and travel. Both my grandfathers, my father, my uncles, and my mother have all been part of the construction industry at one time or another. The first time I put on a hard hat, laced up my boots, and got my safety vest on it felt like second nature. So even though I signed up to join the Barrett family for what was supposed to be a temporary time, I fell in love with the problem-solving camaraderie that construction brings.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work every day?
My wife and I joke that the only reason we go to work every day is to be able to afford our three dogs’ toys and treats. They’re the reason I go to work and do everything I can to safely come home every day.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Something most people don’t know about me is that I’m sensitive and empathetic to the people around me. I think to most people I work with I come off very assertive and direct, but I put others before myself nine times out of ten.
From her nomination:
“Tori is a strong female leader in a male dominated workforce she is a positive role model for female employees as well as our male employees she has high integrity and great moral values. Tori is an overall well-rounded outstanding employee. She is not afraid to accept or take on new challenges she has to drive and the aptitude to do great things. Tori keeps to the highest standards continually trying to improve the projects that she manages, she does not cut corners or possess the “close enough” attitude. She is not afraid to make changes and will change things if necessary.”