Women in Construction Spotlight: Nicole Fitzwater

You may see our Keeley fleet driving down a highway all across the country, but it’s those behind the scenes that keep our drivers safe and our fleet running smoothly. Nicole Fitzwater, DOT & Safety Compliance Manager for our Civil Group, works hard every day to ensure that our vehicles and equipment are safe for our people to operate, not only keeping our Keeley’ns safe, but our communities safe.

When Nicole joined the Keeley family, she started as a dispatcher for our Keeley Construction shop in St. Louis, MO. After two months, she was quickly promoted to her current position and even though it has been a whirlwind, Nicole is excited for the growth she knows she will experience with her team members, and Keeley as a whole, behind her. The support and guidance she has received from her team members empowers her every day, and she is grateful to be given the tools and resources she needs to solve a problem and take her job to the next level.

While construction may be a male-dominated industry, Nicole doesn’t view it this way. She works hard to not separate herself based on her gender and doesn’t expect any different treatment. She works just as hard as anyone else on her team, produces results, and uses her voice to stand up for what she believes in. If she could give one piece of advice to women starting out in the industry, it would be:

“Envision your long-term goal! Set your mind on the exact goal you want to achieve and when things get difficult, think about your goal and why you work every day to achieve that goal.”

Nicole has learned a lot of lessons throughout her career and her time with Keeley, but for her, the most valuable lesson has been the importance of patience. The industry is constantly evolving and there are always new things to learn. Being patient with herself and the people around her has allowed Nicole to succeed in her craft. These lessons and constant learning have also allowed Nicole to form a clear vision for the future.

“I am excited to be part of something big here at Keeley and I can’t wait to continue expanding my knowledge. I love how fast-paced this industry is and the constant challenges that come my way. The way our trucks and machines work is amazing and I love working with the newest technology. I am excited for a future of continued challenges, learning, and growth.”

Keeley is a career destination and Nicole knows that she will be part of this family for a long time. The friendships she has made, the people she has met, and the opportunity to work alongside some of her family are just a few of the reasons she loves Keeley. Nicole truly believes that anyone would be lucky to call Keeley their home.

Nicole, thank you for your dedication to keeping our people safe on the roads and on our jobs. Safety is our number one priority and we are grateful to have your passion and your skills on our team!