Honoring the Women Who Keep Boulter Moving Forward

"There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish." – Michelle Obama

March is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of women, not only in history but in the present and future of industries where they have historically been underrepresented. Women's History Month recognizes the achievements of women across all fields, while Women in Construction Week, falling in the first week of March, highlights the vital role women play in shaping the construction and industrial sectors. At Boulter, we’re proud to celebrate the women on our team who, while not working directly in the field, play an essential role in the success of our projects, our customers, and the company as a whole. Their leadership, expertise, and dedication help drive our mission forward in a male-dominated industry. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on Michele Rhoda, Theresa Boulter, Brittany Bachman, Jordan Wheatley, and Ruth Rentas —women who are making an impact every day at Boulter.

Michele Rhoda, VP and CFO

Michele Rhoda’s career journey is a testament to how much the construction industry has evolved. “I began working in the construction industry as a banker in 1985. At the time, the real estate department was a male-dominated group, filled with every cliché you can imagine,” she recalls. “As a junior lender, clients would often direct their conversations to ‘the boy’ in the room, only for him to turn to me and say, ‘Did you get that?’”

Despite the challenges, Michele persisted by standing her ground and proving her worth. “Was I harassed? Yes. Did I get back at the harassers? Most of the time. Was I promoted because someone didn’t want to deal with a sassy Yankee girl? Absolutely."

Over the years, Michele has witnessed tremendous progress. "2023 data from BLS shows that 38% of small construction companies have female CFOs, up from 18% in 2013," she notes. "This I see as progress. 2016 is when Boulter had its first female field employee. Today, the trades are recruiting women as quickly as men. This is a good thing."

Michele credits part of her success to two progressive male leaders she worked for early on in her career. "Fortunately, when I returned to Rochester, I had the opportunity to work for two very progressive men for their time and age. I credit much of their mindset to the fact that they had daughters my age or older," she shares. Their openness to change demonstrated that progress was possible, inspiring Michele to pay it forward by empowering other women to succeed in the industry.

As Michele approaches retirement, her advice to the next generation of women in construction is clear: "Speak up, know your worth, and exude confidence. That rolls your competition on their heels." She stresses that true confidence isn’t about being the loudest in the room but comes from being prepared and competent. "The loudest person often has the least self-confidence. You don’t need to be the loudest—you just need to be the one people listen to."

For Michele, mentoring other women has been a deeply rewarding part of her career. "I had a few female mentors who did this for me, and I am forever grateful," she reflects. Now, she hopes that her legacy will inspire others to "lift other women coming up behind you—because when one of us succeeds, we all move forward."

Theresa Boulter, Customer Service Specialist

Theresa Boulter plays a pivotal role in maintaining strong customer relationships and ensuring project success. "As a woman in construction, we have a key impact on each and every project. It’s not just about getting the physical work done. There are a lot of steps in between from the initial site inspection by the project manager to sending the final invoice," she explains.

Theresa highlights the often unseen but critical contributions made behind the scenes. "Women tend to have better attention to detail, ask more questions for clarity, have more patience, and can be great problem solvers. We are part of the team too—an important key to the business's success."

Her role requires her to build trust and develop relationships with customers, coworkers, and field workers alike. "Being one of the first points of contact for the customer inside the office, we set the tone to represent our company, and I’m proud to be part of that."

Theresa takes immense pride in her work and the part she plays in Boulter’s success. "There’s nothing like seeing or knowing our crews just completed the install of a 100 ft tank, from a horizontal position to vertical. Knowing that I, in some way, was a part of that team, even if I did not see it raised and set in person, is incredibly rewarding."

Brittany Bachman, VP of Sales and Marketing

Brittany’s career at Boulter, which began in 2017, has been shaped by the mentorship and support she received along the way. "I have had the pleasure of working across the hall from Michele Rhoda, who I consider one of my greatest mentors," she says. "She has encouraged me to grow, learn from failure, but most importantly, celebrated my successes."

Stepping into her new role as VP of Sales and Marketing, Brittany is committed to fostering the same supportive environment that helped her thrive. "This style of leadership is what I hope to bring to my new role," she adds.

For Brittany, Women’s History Month holds special significance as both a leader and a mother. "I wear many titles, but the one I hold most dear is MOM. I am raising two strong-willed daughters, and that is my greatest responsibility and accomplishment. My hope is that they grow up never having to question their worth."

She hopes to instill in her daughters, and all young girls, the belief that success is not about conforming to expectations but about "breaking barriers, setting your own standards, and never apologizing for taking the lead."

Jordan Wheatley, Assistant Controller

In her role as Assistant Controller, Jordan Wheatley ensures that Boulter’s operations run smoothly by managing relationships with vendors and suppliers, supporting the billing team, and maintaining compliance. "Accounting supports successful business relationships, provides support to the billing team, maintains compliance in reporting to outside organizations, and ensures that everyone goes home with a paycheck each week," she says.

For Jordan, working in a male-dominated industry has been both challenging and rewarding. "It requires us to sometimes step out of our comfort zones," she explains. "Men and women often have different methods of communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving. Bringing these differences together challenges new thinking and prompts personal and professional growth."

Jordan appreciates the opportunity to step into spaces that push her to grow, and she values the collaborative environment that encourages diverse perspectives and innovative solutions. Her contributions may not always be visible on the front lines, but they are essential to Boulter’s continued success.

Ruth Rentas, Project Support Specialist

Ruth Rentas joined Boulter at a pivotal moment as the company continues to grow and innovate. With prior experience at a local construction company, she is no stranger to navigating male-dominated industries. Reflecting on her journey, Ruth shares, "My experience has given me a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with working in this space."

Looking ahead, Ruth is excited to be part of the industry’s ongoing transformation as more women step into leadership roles and leave their mark in skilled trades and industrial services. She is eager to contribute to this shift by advocating for greater diversity and inclusion, recognizing that different perspectives bring new ideas and drive long-term success. Ruth’s commitment to fostering change makes her a valuable asset as Boulter continues to navigate and shape the future of the industry.

Celebrating Progress and Looking Ahead

As we celebrate Women’s History Month and Women in Construction Week, we’re reminded that the contributions of women at Boulter are not just behind the scenes—they are foundational to our success. From shaping customer relationships and managing financial operations to driving growth and innovation, these women demonstrate that success in a male-dominated industry is not only possible but thriving.

We are proud to celebrate Michele, Theresa, Brittany, Jordan, and Ruth—not just for what they have achieved but for the inspiration they provide to the next generation of women. Their impact at Boulter is a testament to the fact that when women lead, "we all move forward."