2025 Women in Construction: Ann Marie Polaneczky, Flock Construction Inc.

What is one project or achievement in your career that you are most proud of, and how did it impact your organization or community? My greatest achievement is starting a successful commercial general contracting company. The competition is fierce, risk is massive, and the work can be grueling, but I have found success and stability. What I enjoy most is building relationships and helping my clients meet their goals, from small businesses to major institutions. I’ve been in business for 8 years and am excited for the future. I hope I’ve shown what it’s possible for women to achieve as leaders in the industry.

What trends or innovations do you believe will shape the future of your field, and how are you positioning yourself (or your firm) to be at the forefront? With AI, finally there is the ability to transfer the deep knowledge traditionally held by humans with a lifetime career of knowledge and instinct into the collective consciousness. I believe we will finally see the value in data collection during implementation. Every project is unique, but with the massive application of institutional knowledge, every aspect can be more accurately predicted: design, pricing, scheduling, safety, procurement, and more. Flock is currently experimenting with AI, SAAS, large data-set estimating, and project management automations.

Who or what has inspired you most in your career, and what advice would you share with the next generation of women entering the A/E/C industry? My mother is my greatest role model. She rose to the rank of Colonial in the US Air Force. What’s more - from holding elected office, to raising money and managing construction for the soup kitchen, to helping her neighbors, she always brings hard work, positive change, and massive talent to everything she engages in. To women - we are a huge asset to the A/E/C industry. Ultimately, it’s a relationship centered and highly-localized industry. Our unique perspective and cooperative nature makes the projects we engage in better. Work hard, stay at the plate, and keep swinging.

Do you have a hidden talent or a surprising fact about yourself that most people wouldn’t know? I can name most any plant, animal, or fungus in our beautiful New England forests.

What’s your favorite way to recharge or get inspired outside of work? I love restaurants - both building them and visiting with friends for an epic meal and a weird wine.