Hard Hats & Boardrooms: How Sandra Albert Builds Legacy in the Trades

At Vintage Blacktop Co., we celebrate the ones who build, whether it is infrastructure or opportunity. Few embody that spirit better than Sandra Albert, vice president of Bay Country Contractors, who is carving out more space for women in a field built on grit and tradition.

From collections to construction

For nearly a decade, Sandra ran her own collection agency, another high pressure, male dominated arena, before pivoting into construction. She learned to lead with grit, confidence, and grace in rooms where she was often the only woman.

“I spent years proving myself in rooms where I was often the only woman,” she says. “And now? She’s clearing the way for others doing the same.”

Why Sandra chose construction

Now in a leadership role within civil construction across Maryland, D.C., and Virginia, Sandra puts her sharp negotiation skills, eye for detail, and steady resilience into building real infrastructure.

“I love being part of a team that builds things that last, from the ground beneath our feet to the relationships we form.”

It is not just projects. It is legacy in motion.

Women are gaining ground, but there is work left to do
Women now account for roughly 14 percent of the construction workforce, up from about 11 percent in 2023. While overall participation grows, only about 4.3 percent of hands on trade roles, such as electricians, plumbers, and carpenters, are filled by women. The number is rising, but slowly.

That is Sandra’s lane. Keep it open and expand it.

Why the trades can equal or exceed college

The trade world offers solid pay with zero or minimal debt. Trade school tuition often stays in the three to fifteen thousand dollar range. College can cost more than thirty thousand dollars per year, and many graduates carry nearly thirty eight thousand dollars in debt.

One study shows tradespeople who complete four year apprenticeships earn a median annual salary of sixty three thousand four hundred fifty six dollars. When you factor in lower debt, that often surpasses college paths.

Recent job reports show consistent wages over seventy thousand dollars after apprenticeship, with most workers staying employed.

The movement at work

Sandra’s step into leadership is more than personal progress. It signals a wider shift.

Women apprentices have grown by about fifty five percent in recent years. Women construction managers now hold about 10.6 percent of those roles. It is progress, and there is still a long road ahead.

Pay is close to equal compared with many industries. Women in the trades typically earn about 95 percent of what their male counterparts make.

Build legacy like Sandra

Sandra’s story shows that trades work can redefine leadership. She is creating space for women to lead, mentor, and fuel the next generation of tradespeople.

“I believe in building more than just infrastructure, I believe in building people, confidence, and a future where more women feel empowered to lead.”

At Vintage Blacktop Co., that is what drives us. Not just what is built, but who builds it. Sandra reminds us that legacy is earned, one day and one job site at a time.

 

Want to support or highlight women in the trades? Tell us about them and we will help share their stories.