With construction season at its peak, learn from Western Pennsylvania women who are helping to build our infrastructure.

Meet our Panelists

Moderator

Maggie Talarico, P.E.,

Principal

Foresight Construction Services

Margaret Talarico is the single founding member of Foresight Construction Services, LLC. Her construction management and inspection experience began in the field as both an engineer and inspector before moving into marketing, procurement, and management of inspection services and staff. Her unique blend of experience working as a designer, contractor, inspector, and manager, gives her a distinct advantage in construction management of all those entities. Her experience also includes CPM Scheduling, active claim mitigation throughout the life of project, and when necessary, claim defense and negotiation. 

Mandy Fike

Transportation Construction Manager 2

PennDOT D12

Mandy is a Transportation Construction Manager 2 for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT). She began her career with PennDOT in 2005 and has 19 years of construction experience holding various positions. Prior to joining PennDOT, Mandy gained 6 years of experience as a consultant construction inspector responsible for the inspection of various highway and bridge projects.  



As the District 12 Construction Agreement Portfolio Manager, she is responsible for administering the consultant construction inspection program, soliciting statements of interest from consultants, and overseeing all District 12 construction field audit activities and project closeouts within the Finals unit.

Michelle Fugagli

Civil Engineer Supervisor

PennDOT D1

In 2016 I began my career at the Department as a summer engineering intern and after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 2019 with my civil engineering degree I started full-time as a Project Manager in Construction. In addition to project management, I have spent time in my career as chair for the District 1 Winter Construction Conference, served as President of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council, and assist regularly on safety committees. Some notable projects I have worked on include the Five Points Roundabout and Central Bayfront Parkway project in Erie Co.

Patriece Thompson

Senior Leadership

Community and Citizenship Director

Turner Construction Company

Patriece Thompson serves as Senior Leadership, Director, Community and Citizenship with Turner Construction. In her role, Patriece provides access, operations for Underrepresented Business Enterprises and Minority, Women, Veteran and LGBTQ Business Enterprises within the construction industry. She also has a focus on 4 active pillars within Turner Construction: youth engagement, workforce development, economic development, and outreach services. Patriece’s mission in life is to provide access, upward mobility, equity, and inclusion for all people. 

Patriece has also achieved success working within business, economic and government industries. She has moderated/ fundraised and worked with federal, local, community leaders and state stakeholders with the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce under the Allegheny Conference on Development. Patriece graduated from California University of Pennsylvania in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Sports Management and Marketing. She then furthered her education, graduating from Point Park University with a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in management. Patriece is also a TALI (The Advanced Leadership Institute with the CMU Tepper Business School), Leadership Pittsburgh graduate class XXVIII 2020. 

Patriece is a commissioner for the Governor’s Advisory Commission on African American Affairs, Chair Emerging Contractors Development Committee Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania, Vice Chair for LifeWorks Western PA, Board member Westmorland Museum of Art, Board member Reimagine Reentry, Board member/ Ally Three Rivers Business Alliance (3RBA, LGBTQIA+). 

Patriece is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated. A member of the National Society Leadership and Success Rotary Club of Downtown Pittsburgh. She is a 40 under 40 state of Pennsylvania awardee. 40 under 40 City of Pittsburgh awardee. 2024 Women of Influence awardee. She has a passion for making Pittsburgh a welcoming and culturally diverse region.

Patriece enjoys spending time with her family and friends and is a die-hard Steelers Fan!

Sheree Thomas

President

SB Thomas & Associates

Sheree Thomas is the founder and President of SB Thomas, which is a woman-owned, disadvantaged enterprise providing CM/CI services on both building and heavy/highway projects. Sheree has over 20 years of experience in public procurement, government contracting, and project management on large scale, multi-prime construction projects.

Prior to founding SB Thomas, Sheree worked as an independent consultant to various public housing agencies across the country to help them properly procure and manage the design and construction of their large-scale capital improvements to existing public housing properties.

Before entering the construction industry, Sheree worked as a Contract Negotiator for a defense contractor in the Department of Navy’s Nuclear Propulsion Program and began her career as a Contract Administrator for the Department of Navy in Washington D.C.

Sheree was born and raised in Pittsburgh, is a graduate of Duquesne University, and is currently serving as the President of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC).

Stacy Ginkel

President

KJ Consulting & Environmental Services, LLC

Ms. Stacy Ginkel founded KJ Consulting & Environmental Services, LLC in 2018 and serves as President of the company. She has worked with many clients throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania, notably, PennDOT, PTC, ORA, Port of Erie, and several municipalities. 

Ms. Ginkel has been involved in the heavy highway industry for over 20 years, having begun her career as a field office manager for a bridge contractor on a high-profile project on the North Shore of Pittsburgh, eventually moving to the position of CM/CI Regional Manager for a large A/E Firm. She has received numerous certifications and accreditations throughout her career. Most notably, she served as the President of Mid Allegheny ASHE Chapter and on the National Board for ASHE. She continues to remain involved in the industry through her involvement with ASHE, ACEC, and WTS. She also actively collaborates with WTS Central Pennsylvania in organizing their annual STEAM day event and serves on the board of directors for the ORA in Oil City, PA.

Outside of work, Stacy enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, running, boating, and volunteering with the Venango County Humane Society.

Bring your questions or send them in advance to Linda Zug, lindaz@metricenv.com