• Posted: February 19, 2019
• Angela Drexel, better careers, LiveWire

Speaking candidly, Angela Drexel, Vice President of LiveWire in Chicago, shared her inspiring story of hard work and determination in a male-dominated construction industry.

“I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after high school and my aunt suggested I consider an alternative career in the trades,” Drexel explained.

Drexel’s aunt’s suggestion to explore a non-traditional path through the Chicago Women in Trades Technical Opportunities Program began what was to be a life-long career in electrical construction.

“I loved the hands-on work in carpentry, electrical, material handling and manual labor I was doing,” Drexel said.

Soon after, she began the electrical apprentice program, passing with a 95 percent test score after only 12 weeks of training. In the field as an electrical construction apprentice, she worked under general foremen and eventually grew to successfully complete her assigned scopes of work independently on projects. Forging ahead, she became a journeyman, working during the day and attending Daley College at night to complete her Associates Degree in Electrical Technology. Soon after the completion of her Associates Degree, she was offered a supervisory role at ComEd at a time when women in the trades were grossly underrepresented. Speaking to her you can’t help but hear that ‘can do’ attitude in her voice.

“When ComEd hired me, I was the youngest female supervisor with 32 overhead linemen to manage. It was great corporate experience as well as local line work and contractor experience.”

Drexel continued to work by day at ComEd, went to school at night, and in 2008 completed a BS degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology in Industrial Technology and Management. Looking for more challenging opportunities for career advancement, she left to begin her own consulting company focusing on small businesses, safety, recruiting, as well as process creation and implementation.

By the Fall of 2009, Drexel was working full-time at LiveWire with Shon Harris, the owner of LiveWire Electrical Systems whom she had met 18 years previously as an apprentice with Block Electric.

“I started out on the financials side and recently Shon has put me into operations, so I’m closer into the field and from when we get word about the contract to everything else down to execution of the project.”

Both are former union-level trained and certified electricians and now well-respected business leaders in the construction industry. LiveWire has grown considerably since 2009, earning $1 million in sales their first year to $31 million in sales in 2018. From working together in Shon’s basement, they have grown to their present size – a 60,000 sq. ft. warehouse, with 6,000 sq. ft. of office space, 25 office workers, and are employing about 60 trade laborers year-round.

For Drexel, it hasn’t always been easy facing the daily challenges mired in a competitive industry.

“This business can be brutal; it’s high risk, competitive, and everyday you’re fighting to survive. You need to be business savvy and manage risk well. One bad decision can make or break you.”

That being said, Drexel couldn’t be happier with her career choices and believes her success speaks for itself as a woman in the trades and as a business leader.

“I have climbed the ranks as an executive, officer, and business leader and have a good reputation in the industry.”

Drexel’s advice to other women is to consider a career in the trades.

“Women are still grossly under-represented in the construction industry, especially in leadership positions. I believe I have sat across the table only once in my whole career to negotiate a contract with another woman. I’d like to see that change.”

Drexel suggests that women considering a career in the trades have a good support system, believe in themselves, and know what they are getting into. They should think about why they are choosing a career in a particular industry. She’s looking forward to the day when more women like her will be in leadership positions providing influence in the trades and the construction industry.