On March 3 the Connecticut Chapter of Professional Women in Construction (PWC-CT) will host a panel discussion and meeting entitled "AEC Industry Women: Forging New Pathways." PWC-CT will also be handing out their annual "Woman of Achievement, "Rising Star" and "Excellence in Mentoring" awards at this meeting. This meeting and awards program will be held at the Sheraton Hartford South. It is one in a series of educational and networking events hosted by PWC-CT, whose programs are tailored to professionals in the architectural, engineering and construction fields as well as interested members of the public. Women are entering the architectural / engineering / construction industry in record numbers - and the implications of this shift in the workforce are significant. From the trades to academic instruction, architectural design, engineering, construction management and C-Level administration, women have earned positions in nearly every area of our industry. Join us for a frank dialogue on mentoring, inspiration, lessons learned, and future goals from women who are immersed in the extraordinary field of construction. The presentation panel for the discussion is moderated by Maura Cochran, CRE, SIOR / Bartram & Cochran. Panelists are Cathy Dolan-Schweitzer / Health Well Done; Erika Fairlie / Clohessy Harris & Kaiser, LLC; Sally Katz / Town of Wethersfield; Sheri Miller / Yale University; and Carrie Rocha, PE / Michael Baker Corp. The "Woman of Achievement" award is given annually to a candidate who has at least 15 years of experience in the industry, has demonstrably achieved excellence in her field, is dedicated to the advancement of women in the A/E/C field, and serves as a good role model. The 2014 award will go to Jennifer Marks, principal / director of land surveying at BL Companies. Marks graduated from Boston College with a MA in Geology, and attended the Mass. School of Survey. As director of land surveying at BL Companies, she is responsible for managing field crews, and reviewing surveying documents produced. She is a registered Land Surveyor in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. In nominating her for the award, Heather Halotek, said "Ms. Marks has more than 31 years of professional experience in land surveying and mapping....As a mentor to young surveyors, Jen is very supportive of women in our industry, and continually serves as a role model to everyone she meets." PWC-CT's "Rising Star" award is given annually to a candidate who has less than 7 years' experience in the industry, and demonstrates -- through her dedication, her work and her attitude -- the capacity to attain the highest levels in her field. The 2014 award will go to Jacqueline Laramee, project manager, Network Interiors. Laramee graduated from CCSU with a degree in construction management, and was immediately hired by Network Interiors. In nominating her, Melissa Sheffy, president of Network Interiors, cited Laramee's determination and professionalism in the field, her enthusiasm for her work, and her observation - as mentor and colleague -- of Laramee's work over the past 5 years. The "Excellence in Mentoring" award is given annually to a woman or man who has been a positive role model for women in the A/E/C industry, has sustained a career commitment to mentoring and has had a positive effect on mentees. The 2014 award will go to Steve Perreault, project manager at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. Perrault was nominated by Ruth Ducharme, project engineer at Whiting-Turner, who has been mentored by Perreault for the past three years. Ducharme said "He is a patient and precise teacher....he has provided insight regarding people management skills, construction means and methods, and efficient construction-tracking techniques." Founded in 1980, Professional Women in Construction is a national non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization committed to advancing professional, entrepreneurial and managerial opportunities for women and other "non-traditional" populations in construction and related industries. Members of PWC-CT represent all major disciplines within the A/E/C industry, and are drawn from Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Membership is open to women and men, private companies and public agencies actively engaged in the design / construction / real estate development fields, and businesses supplying goods and services to the industry. PWC-CT supports education in the fields of architecture, construction and engineering, and annually recognizes ongoing professional excellence with three awards: the "Rising Star" award, the "Women of Achievement" award and the "Excellence in Mentoring" award. This PWC meeting and discussion are open to the public. The meeting is 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., at theSheraton Hartford South, 100 Capital Blvd. All attendees must pre-register online by February 27 at www.pwcusa.org/CT. PWC members $60; nonmembers $85; students / subsidized $35. Registration and networking at 5:30 p.m.; cash bar; dinner and program at 6:30.