Natalie Pettinato O’Hara
Published: March 11, 2010
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A firm adherent of ‘the buck stops here’
While Natalie Pettinato O’Hara’s title is principal at PACE Construction Managers Inc., it really should be “jack-of-all-trades.”
Her third-generation. family-owned business, which O’Hara runs with her sister, has taught her that there’s no task too large or too small. “When it’s your family’s name, you always strive to make everything going out the door as perfect as it can be, and when you’re the ‘boss,’ the buck stops with you,” she said.
As she finds herself immersed with all aspects of her business, from project estimates to negotiating contract terms with owners or subcontractors, to seeking out new business opportunities, she also oversees the entire operations side.
She spent several summers working at the family business, so it was a natural conclusion for her to want to work in the construction industry. “It never actually occurred to me that I would be in a very small minority as a woman in this industry, but I don’t let it bother me,” she said.
Holding a degree in civil engineering, she worked at a company in New Jersey prior to returning to the family business.
Blessed to have grown up with parents who supported her every decision and nurtured her to work hard, she credits them with instilling in her a strong work ethic. O’Hara also thanks her father for sharing his keen business skills throughout the years.
One of the most valuable lessons she has learned is not to jump to conclusions and to verify information.
“It’s quite a cliché, but I would tell business women to find a way to earn a living doing what they love. They also should keep in mind that it’s not all about how much money you can make at a given profession,” she said. “They also should evaluate where they realistically want to be in their life at given stages and whether the career path chosen will allow for that. Women, especially, are often very torn as they work very hard to develop a career and then are faced with a choice of sacrificing their career for a few years to have children and wish to spend those precious early years with them.”
Married to Michael McIntyre O’Hara since 1995, the couple has a son, Michael Robert O’Hara, 3, and a Labrador/Weimaraner mix, Scarlett.
