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Each year, the construction industry pauses to recognize the women who help build, lead and strengthen our communities during Women in Construction Week. At Clarkson Construction Company, we're proud to be a part of that celebration and even more proud of the talented women who contribute their skills, leadership, and dedication across our projects and teams.
Throughout the week, we're highlighting a few of the many women who make Clarkson what it is today!
Meet Brandy Gillespie, Operator
Brandy's 27-year construction career started with a practical goal: finding a career that offered stability, strong benefits, and opportunities to grow.
"Being from the Midwest, it felt like the options were construction or nursing," she said with a laugh. "And my stomach is way too weak for the medical field!"
A Career Built on Experience
Brandy began her career as an environmental technician working as a concrete inspector before taking a major step forward by attending heavy equipment school in Kentucky. Not long after completing the program, she was hired back as an instructor.
At the time, Brandy was both the youngest and the first female instructor, teaching students how to safely operate heavy equipment in both classroom and field settings.
From there, she returned to Kansas, joined the union, and spent more than a decade working in asphalt before transitioning into bridge construction. Her career eventually took her across the country — including time in California where she earned crane certifications with plans to operate cranes in Hawaii.
When the COVID-19 pandemic paused hiring in Hawaii, Brandy adapted once again, stepping into a project management role helping oversee hurricane strap replacements on homes.
The Reality of Operating Heavy Equipment
While many people assume operating equipment means sitting comfortably in a cab all day, Brandy says the reality is much different.
“It can be mentally exhausting and physically demanding,” she explains. “You have to stay alert all day long, and a lot of people’s safety depends on you.”
Most days, Brandy operates a telehandler, supplying crews with materials and supporting the team so they can do their jobs efficiently. Sometimes the equipment even doubles as a small crane to help lift and position materials during construction.
Pride in the Work
For Brandy, the most rewarding part of the job is the sense of pride that comes from being part of building something lasting.
“What I enjoy most is the feeling of being part of something and the people,” she says. “Driving through a city I love and seeing projects I got to be part of is really special.”
One project in particular stands out, the Johnson County Gateway Project, where she first learned to operate cranes and met coworkers who would eventually feel more like family than colleagues.
Construction Runs in the Family
Clarkson Construction has been family-owned for generations, and for Brandy, that sense of family is especially meaningful. Her son is also part of the Clarkson team, making the work even more personal.
When she’s not on the job, Brandy enjoys traveling, spending time on the farm with her family and animals, and riding her motorcycle whenever she gets the chance.
One Word: Fun
After nearly three decades in the industry, Brandy still describes her career in one word:
Fun.
“I love what I do and the people I get to do it with.”
