September 2, 1999

Barkman: managing projects suits her perfectly

By RAGAN WILLIS
Journal Staff Reporter

Dressed in a sleek business suit, Martha Barkman appears to be headed for the office as she walks up the cascade of stairs in Harbor Steps park.

Actually, she's already at work.

As project manager for Harbor Properties, Barkman oversees construction on Harbor Steps, one of Seattle's most prominent, mixed-use housing developments.

She's thrilled that at age 33, she has a dream opportunity to manage the 1.2 million-square-foot development -- a project similar in size to the Columbia Seafirst Building.

"There's a lot of responsibility of course, but I love my job, and couldn't imagine doing anything else," Barkman said.

She laughed that few people really realize what she does for a living.

"I still get a lot of odd looks when I tell people what I do," she said. "There is definitely still a stereotype about what kinds of jobs are available in construction."

Barkman has her hands on every aspect of the development, from site work to choosing the best low-flow toilets. She describes herself and Harbor Properties as being very detail-oriented, paying close attention to every inch of the project.

Martha Barkman, project manager for Harbor Steps, says as a kid she favored erector sets over Barbies. Photo by Ragan Willis

Barkman didn't know construction management was an established field until after she graduated from Seattle Pacific University with degrees in finance and management. Since her father was involved in construction lending, the building industry was familiar turf, but she quickly realized she'd rather be on a construction site than holed up in an office.

"I loved what my dad did. Construction is a great opportunity to create something positive for the community," she said. "But since I was no good at swinging a hammer, I needed to figure out what else I could do."

Management was a perfect fit for her background in finance and her abilities to organize and motivate people.

After a six-month internship with Harbor Properties, Barkman entered the University of Washington to earn a master's degree in construction management.

Barkman was hired as a project manager for Harbor Properties, where she now plays an integral role in what's become a high-profile revitalization project on First Avenue, near the waterfront.

Barkman credits Harbor Properties Vice President Denny Onslow for much of her success.

While it may be unusual for anyone without years of experience to land a project the size of Harbor Steps, Onslow said it was obvious Barkman had the necessary skills to get the job done.

"Martha has what we call 'ownership' of problems and issues that come up," he said. "She doesn't leave anything unturned, uses consultants on the project well, and is a good communicator. And she doesn't let any detail get missed."

Onslow said he doesn't differentiate between men and women on the job; it's skills that count. He says most industry professionals recognize construction isn't a "man's world" anymore, and he thinks women in management positions are very well accepted.

"It's very common now and the future for women in managment is great," Onslow said. "In fact, nowadays I see just as many women interviewing for positions as men."

Women and men graduating from college construction programs today have the same degree, entering the industry on a level playing field. With a diploma in hand, it's the individual that makes or breaks his or her career, Onslow noted.

"We're all here to do a job, people aren't concerned whether they're working with a man or a woman," he said.

Barkman says her parents also played key roles in her success. She recalls Sunday outings with her dad to construction sites where the pair would discuss and critique projects.

"My parents never prejudiced us kids about what kinds of job we should have in terms of male/female roles," she said. "As long as we loved what we did -- and got a degree -- they would be happy."

As a kid, Barkman favored erector sets over Barbie, but she insists she wasn't a tomboy. She preferred dresses and skirts then, and continues to wear them now -- even on the job site.

"I'd rather wear a skirt than drag my pants through the dirt," Barkman joked. "Wearing a skirt doesn't get in the way of my job, I can climb a ladder or check on a plumbing leak just fine."

But the real issue isn't skirts vs. pants or even men vs. women when it comes to job performance, Barkman said. Women who think putting on pants and acting tough is key to success are simply mistaken, she says.

In fact, doing so could work against women.

"I'd say you wouldn't be accepted as well trying to 'act like a man,"' Barkman said. "Plus, it's in poor taste to be the big hauncho. We can be just as affective using other means. I like to think of it as management by respect instead of management by fear."

Nonetheless, she admits to having had some fears of being rejected in a predominately male field. But Barkman says the construction industry has made significant efforts toward promoting equality on the job site.

Now, when she holds a construction meeting, she's focused on the project, not on her image.

"I don't need to bully anyone, I need to inspire them," she said.

Her initial goals are to establish direct communication, set up a framework for sharing ideas, and, most importantly, to create trust among all partners on the job.

Barkman also mentors university students, encouraging them to explore construction.

But efforts to promote the industry need to begin before college, Barkman noted. Unless you grew up in construction, opportunities available in the industry aren't obvious. Few people know about behind-the-scenes jobs in a developer's or contractor's office, or even a city planning department.

Officials from the University of Washington School of Construction Management said the number of women enrolled in the program is slowly increasing, although the school is still mostly male-dominated. The class roster for this academic year includes 18 women of a total of 105 students.

To entice a more diverse crowd, Barkman advises recruiting college students from business schools. Currently, engineering departments are hit the hardest by headhunters, but rookies with business backgrounds can add a lot to a company, she said.

"I use my finance background as much as my construction," she said. "Combination degrees in business and construction are becoming more important, and work well in producing well-rounded individuals."

Other stories in Women in Construction Her career is in the bag Consrtruction management: what women really want Profile: Ann Schuessler Doan's work continues in high-tech lab Schools failing to attract women into construction

Barkman said the long hours and high-level responsibility that come with the territory haven't worn thin -- she's still having fun. However, she hopes to return to college some day and teach.

"Some of my best professors returned to school after being out in the field. Even if I was a guest lecturer or taught on a one-class basis, I'd like to give back through education, and encourage other women seeking opportunities in construction management."