2024 Women in Construction: Nicole Barbeau, Groom Construction Company, Inc.

Who or what inspired you to join the AEC industry? I grew up around construction. I have vivid memories of taking trips to Boston Sand and Gravel, lumber yards, and supply houses with my father as child. In addition to other jobs he had, my father worked at a construction company in my hometown. I loved going to the jobsite and watching the project transform from a plot of land to a building or seeing a home remodeled taking on a new life. Our family owned multifamily homes in Lowell which were renovated before being sold or leased to tenants. My sisters and I would spend time on jobsites picking up nails, moving materials, painting, cleaning, roofing, whatever we were capable of doing. To this day whenever I smell joint compound or fresh lumber it makes me think of my childhood.