Luna Awards luncheon will honor women working in the construction industry

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MCALLEN, Texas – Women working in the construction industry will be recognized at an awards ceremony to be held Oct. 23 at the Radisson Hotel McAllen Airport.

The Luna Awards Luncheon is being hosted jointly by the RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Dallas-based Regional Hispanic Contractors Association (RHCA). The award winners will receive a pink diamond.

The Chamber held a press conference on Aug. 23 to promote the upcoming luncheon. John Martinez, president and CEO of RHCA, spoke at the press conference.

“Today has been a momentous celebration of people coming together for women in construction, architecture and engineering. I’m amazed that the women come from so many different sectors in the industry, but also from so many different groups,” Martinez told the Rio Grande Guardian at the press conference.

“The synergism here is magical as we work together to recognize and empower women in architecture, engineering and construction.”

Martinez pointed out that the October event will be the first of its kind held in the Valley.

“We have held these awards in Houston, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Fort Worth, El Paso and now the Valley; recognizing women and the power that they have in the industry. Cynthia Sakulenzki with RGV Hispanic Chamber was tenacious in making sure that we came down here and we are proud to do so,” Martinez said.

Asked why it is important to be recognizing Hispanic women in architecture, engineering and construction, Martinez said:

“It is important because so many people in construction are reaching retirement age. Also, construction has become more sophisticated. And so, getting a whole other generation of new people interested in the industry, like women, in all the different facets of construction, be it working out in the field or in the office, is very important.”

Martinez pointed out that more and more women are entering the construction industry.

“The number of women working in construction is growing fast. Just a few years ago, about five percent were women. Now, it is about 12 to 15 percent. In Texas, there are areas where it’s even higher than that.”

RGVHCC President Sakulenzki agreed with Martinez.

“The number of women working in construction, architecture, engineering, has just grown and grown. They need to be recognized. And it’s just a fabulous industry to work in,” Sakulenzki said.

“We encourage women who are not college bound and want to learn about plumbing, air conditioning… all of these fields are very much needed, especially here in the Rio Grande Valley, where it’s just growing tremendously.”

Asked why the RGVHCC has chosen to partner with RHCA, Sakulenzki said:

“Because, again, we know that there’s so many women here in the Rio Grande Valley that are part of construction and yet have not been recognized. We want to open more doors and encourage the younger generation to learn more about construction and become more involved, to learn a trade. Hopefully, become the owners of construction companies themselves.”

Karla Garza is chairman and CEO of MK Materials and vice president of VMK Concrete, both based in Mission, Texas. Garza won applause at the press conference when announcing she had recently been elected the first Hispanic female, the first female owner, and the first ready mixer, man or woman, from the Valley to be appointed to the board of the Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association.

“Every day we are breaking down barriers, tearing down stereotypes, and also making an impact in our industry, alongside actually building our communities and influencing younger generations,” Garza said, referring to women in construction.

“And I think a lot of us go through our day to day not knowing truly the impact that we are making on our communities, on our daughters, our daughters’ daughters.”

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