As promised, our Employee Spotlight series puts the focus on the people behind the work at ATMI Precast. This month, we’re excited to introduce Justin Foote.
Getting to Know Justin
What’s your current role at ATMI Precast?
I am the Director of Estimating.
How long have you been with ATMI Precast?
I started my career with ATMI Dynacore, where I worked from 1998 to 2005. I then worked with Walsh Construction from 2005 to 2008 before returning to ATMI Precast in 2008.
How did you get started in the precast industry?
After receiving my associate’s degree in construction management from Purdue, I responded to classified ads in the Chicago Tribune. At the time, Jim Armbruster had recently acquired ATMI Dynacore from J.W. Peters & Sons in 1998. They were hiring both an Engineering Manager and an Estimator. Ray Groth was hired as the Engineering Manager, and I was hired as the Estimator. We both started on the same day—June 1, 1998.
ATMI’s office was still located on the second floor of Old Second National Bank on Downer Place, and I still remember picking up our Gateway desktop computers in the cow-print boxes they used to come in.
What’s your favorite part about working with precast?
I particularly enjoy working with precast because it’s a unique material in a unique and continually evolving market. Many people are familiar with more conventional construction materials like cast-in-place concrete, steel, and masonry. Precast shares similarities with each of them, but it also stands in a class of its own.
What’s one project you’re especially proud to have worked on? Why?
There have been many projects I’ve enjoyed working on. On the hollow-core plank side, I particularly enjoyed The Glen project at the former Glenview Naval Base. Now known as The Vi at The Glen, it included some unique precast balcony slabs in addition to hollow-core plank. It was a large project at the time for us and it was a beautiful campus.
More broadly, the variety of projects we work on at ATMI Precast is what keeps the job exciting. From parking garages to data centers, from multi-family residential systems to industrial warehouses, and from athletic complexes to auto malls—the work is never boring.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the ATMI team?
I enjoy the fast-paced nature of the business and the opportunity to collaborate with other departments. Working together to develop comprehensive solutions for complex projects is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in precast?
First, be eager to learn. Listen, observe, and absorb as much as possible. There are many aspects to precast—engineering, fabrication, transportation, and logistics. Over time, developing a strong understanding of each area is key.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from working at ATMI?
Many of the lessons I’ve learned at work are similar to life lessons in general. Mistakes will happen, but it’s important to keep them small and avoid major blunders. Do what you say you will do and always try to maintain integrity.
Who has influenced or mentored you in your career?
Two of my earliest mentors were Mike Zeier and George Guenther at ATMI Dynacore. I also learned from Ray Groth on the engineering side, who studied under Ming King at PEC.
What makes the people here different from other teams you’ve worked with?
From my perspective, each department brings a unique viewpoint to the business. Everyone works toward the greater good of the company rather than focusing solely on individual departmental success. I think that speaks volumes about the culture at ATMI.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My hobbies include boating, taking walks, working out, and traveling when I can.
What’s your idea of a perfect Saturday?
It would definitely involve the boat. After a cruise, I’d anchor off the Indiana Dunes near Mount Baldy—75 degrees, sunny, waves at one foot or less—with a mocktail in hand, good music playing, and the sound of family talking and laughing.
Do you have any secret talents?
I can juggle!
Tell us about a time where ATMI delivered on “As Promised”.
For me, this wouldn’t be that interesting. Delivering on deadlines and doing what we say we will do is part of our day to day operation.
The construction industry remains one dominated by men. But a new analysis of industry numbers shows that a growing number of women are entering in this field, too. The latest numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the number of women in the construction industry jumped by 52.9% from 2013 to 2022. Women working in construction and engineering is on the increase! In 2013, there were 840,000 women in construction. But in 2022, that number had risen to 1.28 million. 37% of new entrants into the construction industry that came from higher education are women.
Most women in the construction industry are working in the management, professional and sales side of the business. Women are still significantly outnumbered by men in the construction industry, though. The only area in which women outnumber men in the construction field is in sales and office jobs. In this part of the industry, women hold 72.2% of the jobs. Misconceptions about gender-specific roles are gradually diminishing with a growing number of women choosing a career in construction and engineering.
There are thousands of exceptionally talented female construction workers who are changing how women in construction are perceived. While both men and women working in construction face many of the same risks, there are some unique issues that are of greater concern to women. In addition to the primary safety and health hazards faced by all construction workers, there are safety and health issues specific to female construction workers. These safety and health hazards in construction create barriers to women entering and remaining in the field.
Women are respected for the work they do and have great opportunities to grow their careers in this field. This is a good time for women to enter the construction industry, whether as a tradesperson, construction manager, team member, architect, engineer, executive, consultant or professional. The construction industry needs women because the industry is facing a skills shortage, and women bring a wide range of skills that benefit employers and enrich the construction industry. With so many rewards and benefits of working in the industry, there is plenty of room for career progression and skill development, so it is an industry well worth looking into.
During the month of March which is Women’s History Month, construction firms of all sizes and types are encouraged to participate in Women in Construction Week to show their support for their female employees. The goal is to celebrate the different journeys women have taken toward the same goal which is to strengthen and amplify the success of women in the construction industry.