2010 ABC SEPA Woman of the Year Recipient
Antoinette Coupe, Oliver Heating and Cooling
Associated Builders and Contractors, Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter each year recognizes the exceptional accomplishments of a woman who has had a positive impact on our construction community. The program is designed to honor women who serve as role models, mentors and advocates for opportunities for others in the construction industry, especially in efforts that broaden opportunities for women. Nominees must have demonstrated leadership experience, be committed to education, both for themselves as well as the people they touch in their professional lives, and demonstrate a commitment to community involvement.
This year we had an exceptional list of nominees and finalists. All are worthy of the award and ABC is blessed to have such exceptional women involved with the chapter. This year’s finalists were Wendy Hook of AFLAC, Katherine Ng of Wu and Associates, Donna Kitei of McCarthy Masonry, and Marie Wright of Worth and Company.
The committee chose to honor Antoinette Coupe this year for numerous reasons.
Antoinette has been with the Oliver Company since 2000 and brought over 20 years of HVAC contracting experience with her. She was the first female manager at Oliver, and since her arrival Oliver has promoted three top level managers in customer service, inventory procurement, and accounting and human resources. Under her watch at Oliver, the company has grown from a $6 million dollar company to $22 million with 160 employees.
She brought similar experience to ABC when Oliver joined the association in 2005. Antoinette immediately got involved and has been a model member ever since. Antoinette serves on several committees and is the secretary / treasurer as well as a member of the Board of Directors, two posts that require an exceptional commitment of both time and expertise.
Antoinette has also leant her time to a number of other organizations, including Air Conditioning Contractors of America, and the Construction Financial Management Association.
In her community she has served as treasurer of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and has been on the board for the parish school as well as the Archbishop Kennedy Kendrick parent’s board.
Most importantly though Antoinette has been a role model for all our members, especially other ABC women. From organizing clothing drives for Haiti to taking a very personal and one on one interest in the professional development of Oliver employees, Antoinette shows an uncommon depth of commitment and energy.Congratulations to Antoinette Coupe, our 2010 ABC Woman of the Year!
2009 ABC SEPA Woman of the Year Recipient
Pat Hurst, Worth & Company, Inc.
The first annual winner was a woman who has worked in an industry dominated by men, Pat Hurst of Worth and Company has broken through the glass ceiling with an unbridled determination that has earned the respect of her peers both in out of the ABC community. Pat worked her way up as a bookkeeper to her current position as Vice President of Finance for Worth and Company. With Pat’s financial guidance Worth has experienced unprecedented growth from a small mechanical contractor to a powerhouse with almost 500 employees. Worth is also consistently named as one of Pennsylvania’s Best Places to Work, and Pat has consistently supported training at all levels of the company, from craft level to the CEO.
Pat has also been a leader here at ABC. She served six years as a Board Member and Treasurer, as well as participating on a number of committees. She has also made an uncommon commitment to attending ABC Events.
Perhaps more notable, Pat Hurst was elected as the first ever President of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association. CFMA is the premier source of education and information for all aspects of financial management in the construction industry.
Pat’s community involvement is varied. She is a regular contributor to the Fox Chase Cancer Center and Immaculata College. She has assisted Worth in numerous community outreach programs, from the James Michener Museum, Relay for Life, as well as assisted in bringing much needed plumbing work to Mississippi in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
ABC proudly acknowledges Patricia Hurst as the ABC, Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter’s first Construction Woman of the Year.