During Women in Construction Week, which comes around every March, the women who work at Power Component Systems (PCS) are treated to lunch, t-shirts, flowers and massages.
This may sound like a magnanimous gesture from a man in the C-suite, but it’s really an act of solidarity and appreciation from the top boss – who happens to be a woman in construction herself.
When she graduated from Roanoke with a degree in criminal justice, Kate (Leach) Licameli ’92 didn’t picture herself working for her father’s company, much less becoming its president. She planned to enter the FBI, but a federal hiring freeze landed her in a receptionist position at PCS. As she worked her way through the company, filling roles that included receptionist, human resources manager and vice president of administration, something unexpected happened: She fell in love with construction.
“Construction is such an interesting business, and it’s different every day,” she said. “It takes so much ingenuity and thinking outside the box to run this business.”
Throughout her time at PCS, Licameli said, she’s been aware that her position at her father’s company could be interpreted as nepotism. She’s glad she worked her way up from an entry-level position, learning every aspect of the business over the years. “I have been really careful that I’m earning my keep, and nobody thinks I just got this job because I’m his daughter,” she said.
When her father decided to “mostly retire” about five years ago, she took over as president. Her younger brother, Toby Leach ’95, also works for the company as vice president of business development. Licameli credits the liberal arts education they received at Roanoke with giving them the breadth and adaptability to keep learning and innovating every day.
“I had such a wide variety of classes at Roanoke, and having a well-rounded education gave me the confidence and wherewithal to keep learning, trying and doing the best I can,” she said.
That has included helping to transform PCS from a company that primarily did asbestos abatement to one that has diversified into demolition and environmental remediation services. A business that began with 25 employees in its Maryland office has expanded into a $40 million company with more than 300 employees and divisions in Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well.
Licameli (hugging her pup, Sammy) celebrates Women in Construction Week with employees of the company she runs, Power Component Systems.
"I had such a wide variety of classes at Roanoke, and having a well-rounded education gave me the confidence and wherewithal to keep learning, trying and doing the best I can."
Kate (Leach) Licameli '92
Licameli is a staunch advocate of the trades and sits on the board of Anne Arundel Community College’s trade school. She points out that older generations of tradesmen are retiring, and there aren’t enough young people to take their place. “Getting people back to the trades has been my mantra for a few years now,” she said.
At the same time, Licameli believes an employee can only get so far up the ladder without a four-year degree. She’s made it clear to her own kids that even if they want to work for the family company, they’ll be expected to graduate from college.
“You need some business background,” she said. “You also need some overall independence, and you need to figure out how to be a person. That is, in my view, what a four-year college is for, almost more than – or as much as – the classes you’re taking. It’s learning how to be on your own, make good decisions and be a productive member of society.”
Despite having nearly 30 years in the construction industry, Licameli said it’s “still a man’s world. Every week, when I’m having meetings with clients, they’re always trying to strong arm me and run me over, but you can’t let them.”
She has established herself as a firm but fair boss who cares about everyone in her company, and she tries every day to show her staff how important they are to PCS. That’s one reason she enjoys celebrating Women in Construction Week.
“Having women with important roles in our company helps PCS so much,” she said, “and I love highlighting the women who are killing it out here.”
Do you know a Roanoke alum we should profile? Nominate them by sending an email to rcmagazine@roanoke.edu.