During Construction Appreciation Week, CG Schmidt is recognizing the women who are helping move construction forward—not just by showing up on the jobsite, but by leading the work, earning the respect of their teams, and creating a stronger path for those who follow.
Samantha Petrasek is one of those leaders.
She has been named Forewoman of the Year by The Daily Reporter’s Women in Construction Awards, recognizing her leadership, expertise, and impact in the field.
Samantha began her career at CG Schmidt as an apprentice, where her strong work ethic and determination quickly set her apart. Sam was mentored by Fred Pieper, a retired CG Schmidt laborer.
Through that mentorship, she developed a strong foundation, confidence in the work, and learned the importance of approaching every task with safety, quality, and production in mind.
“She was hardworking from the beginning, and we knew right away she was someone we wanted to grow with CG Schmidt,” said Steve Flores, General Superintendent at CG Schmidt. “As she gained experience, she became more confident and vocal about leading our trades.”
Today, Sam brings that experience to the jobsite every day. She understands how the pieces of a project must come together and keeps people moving toward the same goal.
She coordinates CG Schmidt employees and trade partners, delegates responsibilities, and helps ensure the work is completed safely, efficiently, and to the required standard.
“Sam is very organized and knows what needs to happen on the jobsite,” Flores said. “She’s good at delegating tasks to our people and our trade partners, and she understands how to keep the work moving.”
Sam’s journey from apprentice to forewoman powerfully illustrates what happens when women have the opportunity to build careers in the trades and grow into leadership roles.
Women are essential to the future of construction—and Sam is helping lead the way for the next generation of women entering the trades.
Read more about Samantha’s Forewoman of the Year nomination.