Girl Power: Roosevelt Warm Springs Graduate Increases Representation in the Construction Industry

Growing up, Angel Guest was fascinated by the mechanics of heavy machinery and wondered if her interest in machinery operation and civil engineering could become a career. As a high school student at the Emanuel County Institute in Twin City, Georgia, Angel began to consider a career in skilled trades. 

Following encouragement she received from her high school counselors, she took a tour of the Roosevelt Warm Springs (RWS) campus in Warm Springs, Georgia to learn more about its pathways. “When I toured the campus, I liked the historical aspect---knowing President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the therapeutic programs in 1927 that helped polio patients,” she stated. “I was impressed with the Georgian architecture, and some of the pathways seemed interesting. I decided to enroll in the Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) pathway and I loved it.”

Through long hours of simulator training and hands-on exercises, Angel discovered she had a natural talent for operating machinery. The HEO curriculum at Roosevelt Warm Springs emphasizes mechanical aptitude, spatial awareness, and precision rather than just physical strength. 

Danny Beasley, lead instructor for the HEO pathway, congratulates Angel on completing the curriculum in 2025. “Angel was an excellent student,” he said. “While at RWS, she completed several certifications* related to her pathway. Completing those certifications gave her a leg up on the competition when interviewing for construction jobs,” he explained. 

Beasley says he agrees with Angel’s assessment that she is “tiny but mighty.” He mentioned Angel displayed her outstanding abilities on the very first day of class. “On our first day, we conducted a shoveling competition which involved filling a five-gallon bucket with dirt using a shovel and carrying the bucket 10 yards. Each student had to complete that cycle five times,” Beasley said. “Angel surprised the males in the class by finishing first. The idea to use a five-pound bucket for the competition is significant because construction work guidelines specify that laborers should be able to lift 40 pounds. A full five-gallon bucket weighs approximately 40 pounds.”

Each HEO student must complete a rigorous capstone project to graduate. Held at the C.W. Matthews Contracting Company facility near Columbus, Georgia, the capstone project is sponsored by the Georgia Highway Contractors Association. 

During the capstone, the excavator segment includes skill demonstrations related to control familiarization, trenching, backfilling and bench loading. For the dozer portion of the capstone, students must demonstrate skills in control familiarization, maneuvering, ramp building, and pad building. 

Angel enthusiastically completed all her assignments with a high level of proficiency. “Angel was a class leader,” Beasley exclaimed. “She excelled at the machinery curriculum, simulators, and actual machine operation. I’m proud of her for finishing her studies and landing a construction job.”

Angel is Breaking Barriers 

Upon graduating from RWS, Angel’s certifications and accomplishments provided her with the credentials to secure a job with Southeastern Site Development, Inc. With offices in Newnan, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia, Southeastern Site Development has been providing contracting services since 2006. According to its website, the company’s areas of expertise include road building, site development, excavation, and other civil engineering services. 

Currently, Angel is a general laborer at Southeastern Site Development. Site Foreman Kevin Threatt, Angel’s supervisor, says she is doing a terrific job alongside her male counterparts. “Right now, Angel is working on a mile-long stormwater/sewer project for the City of Columbus,” he stated. “Angel is doing quite well working alongside her male colleagues. We are impressed with her work ethic, her performance on the RWS capstone project, and her certifications,” Threatt continued. 

For several years, Threatt has been a judge during the RWS capstone projects. “Southeastern Site Development is committed to inclusive hiring,” he said. “We are pleased Angel accepted a position with us. We recognize her aptitude and her attention to safety. In addition to her many talents, she’s able to operate the trench roller. When the City of Columbus project begins to wind down, she will be instrumental in helping us build sidewalks. She is a highly valued member of our team.”

Angel Paves the Way for a More Inclusive Environment 

According to Associated Training Services (ATS), a Wisconsin-based provider of training programs in crane operation, heavy equipment operation, and the construction trades, the number of women entering the broader construction industry over the past 10 years has been phenomenal. ATS says the number of women pursuing careers in skilled trades has doubled in the past decade, with women now comprising 11.5 percent of the construction workforce.  

“It’s a male-dominated industry,” Angel admits. “The fact that I’m a woman doesn’t keep me from achieving the same goals as my male co-workers. I’m learning so many skills in this job. I’ve been diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), so sometimes it’s a little harder for me to understand what people are saying. However, my disability doesn’t hinder me from performing well in this job,” she declared. 

By shattering preconceived notions about what a heavy equipment operator should look like, Angel is proving that determination, training, and mechanical ability are the true requirements for sustaining a career in heavy equipment operation. 

“It’s interesting to watch how my co-workers perform their tasks, and to learn from them,” Angel said with a smile. “You know, there is one other young woman on this project, and I enjoy learning from her as well.” 

When asked to comment on Angel’s future, Beasley says he is confident Angel is on the right track. “Angel set the standard for performance on the RWS campus worksite---she was a standout,” he said. “I believe Angel has a bright future in the construction business. She is indeed tiny but mighty. I am certain she will go far in this field.” 

* Editor’s Note: While at RWS, Angel earned the following certifications: 1) CareerSafe/OSHA-10 General Industry Certificate, 2) SimScholars/Cat Simulators Certification in Excavator Operation; 3) SimScholars/Cat Simulators Certification for Track Type Tractor/Dozer Operation; 4) SimU Campus Score Certification for Excavator; 5) SimU Campus Score Certification for Track Type Tractor/Dozer; 6) the Georgia Highway Contractors Association (GHCA) Capstone Project for Certified Excavator Operator; and 7) the Georgia Highway Contractors Association Capstone Project for Certified Bulldozer Operator.

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