1994 NAWIC Outstanding Woman in Construction
Regina D. McManus
Regina D. McManus has combined her interests in law and construction with great success. While completing her law degree, she worked as a staff attorney for Maryland Legal Aid and, upon graduation, became an associate at Smith Johns & Smith. In 1982, McManus founded Mid-Atlantic Steel Contractors, Inc., a subcontracting company specializing in the installation of reinforcing steel, wire mesh, post tension cables. Highway signs are the firm's specialty. The company began with $250,000 and six employees. Today, Mid-Atlantic earns over $6 million in revenues and employs 80 people.
McManus' professional achievements reflect her strong concern with advocacy and her long commitment to women-owned business:
- Appointed by the Governor to serve the Maryland Department of Transportation's eleven-member Minority Business Enterprise Advisory Committee (MBEAC).
- As a management trustee of the International Structural & Ornamental Iron Worker's Local #201, McManus is the only female ever elected to represent company owners in overseeing a $25 million pension fund and multi-employer health and apprenticeship fund.
- Founding member and Board Director of National WBE Association, and President of the Maryland WBE Association, monitoring government policies concerning women in construction.
- After holding several positions with the American Subcontractor's Association, McManus was elected the first female president of the D.C. Metropolitan Chapter in 1992.
- Construction curriculum advisor at Catonsville Community College, developing course contents relevant to the local construction market.
- Founder and chairwoman of WBE Line, a national organization devoted to furthering the economic development of women-owned businesses in the innovative industries (construction, high technology, agriculture and mining).
Ms. McManus was cited in the Award for her "roll-up-the-sleeves" work attitude, business acumen, and innovative approach to problem-solving. She has championed legislature promoting the interests of subcontractors and has testified before numerous state legislative committees.
"Receiving the Outstanding Woman in Construction Award is",
she wrote, "exciting, gratifying, and humbling all at the
same time -- a once-in-a-lifetime experience. My receipt of this
award is now listed on my reume and in my company's portfolio,
and it never fails to elict favorable comments."