West Tenn. HBA Celebrates Careers in Construction Month with Inspiring Events

The West Tennessee Home Builders Association (WTHBA) celebrated Careers in Construction Month in October with a series of engaging events focused on introducing young people and women to the skilled trades and rewarding careers in construction.

On Oct. 28, WTHBA hosted a The House That She Built book reading event at the Ida B. Wells Academy in Memphis. The event featured the inspiring children’s story that highlights the diverse career opportunities in the construction industry. Elementary students learned about 18 different trades involved in home building and were thrilled to interact with a real-life general contractor, NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB) member Tammie Ross of Residence by Ross, a custom home builder in the Memphis area.

The students discovered that many of these jobs focus on STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Their enthusiasm was evident, especially for the excavator and general contractor roles. The girls even asked Ross to return to help build a Barbie home.

Ross then joined NAHB BuilderBooks publisher Patricia Potts at local station WMC TV 5 to discuss careers in construction with Gina Neely of Bluff City Life. They talked about the upcoming BuilderBooks release Breaking Ground, Breaking Glass Ceilings: A Guide to Finding Success in Male-Dominated Industries authored by Ross. Watch the segments here and here.

This new book, to be published in February 2025, aims to help women excel in their careers with a powerful blueprint for success. Ross shares essential strategies for developing a growth mindset, building resilience, and navigating challenges in male-dominated fields. It will be available to purchase at the 2025 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas, Feb. 25-27.

WTHBA concluded Careers in Construction Month with a Breaking Barriers Breakfast hosted by its PWB chapter. A panel of experts addressed the most pressing issues in the housing industry:

• Ashley Cash, Director of Housing and Community Development for the City of Memphis
• Tammie Ross, CEO and General Contractor of Residence by Ross
• Dr. Randel Price, Associate Dean of Engineering at Christian Brothers University

This event explored crucial topics such as the urgent need for housing, NAHB's initiatives to tackle industry challenges, and the significance of Christian Brothers University’s Construction Management degree program.