Jean McQuestion
Submitted by BW Kennedy & Co.
Jean McQuestion has been with BW Kennedy & Co. for six years and brings over 30 years of experience to her role. As a senior project manager, she works closely with the clients, BW Kennedy’s design/build MEPFP team, project architects and consultants throughout a project. Her main priorities include subcontractor buy out, managing the budget, ensuring that the superintendent has what he needs manpower and material-wise to maintain the schedule, and ensuring clear and timely communication between all parties. She is currently serving as senior project manager for the new construction of a 200,000sf life sciences building at 75 Hayden Ave., a retrofit of a 101,631sf building at 20 Maguire for life sciences, and a clinical manufacturing facility for Codiak BioSciences, all in Lexington.
Jean worked hard over the years to earn her way up from an administrative position to assistant project manager, to project manager to her present position of senior project manager. Accomplishments she’s most proud of include earning LEED AP accreditation in 2010, award of a prior employer’s Strive for Excellence Award based on being nominated by several of her colleagues, and two ABC Excellence in Construction awards for projects she and her teams completed in 2018 and 2019.
With many years working in the industry, Jean has practical advice for women considering a career in construction. “Be prepared to work hard. The day starts early. Establish good working relationships with your project team so you can learn from them and carry that knowledge to your next project. Research and join an organization where you can meet other women in the industry. Look the part: Wear appropriate footwear and your hard hat; walk the site regularly despite the weather; meet the workers. Treat the workers in the field fairly and with respect because, after all, they are the ones constructing your project. They in turn will do the same for you and even give of their time to explain the details of their trade to you – very helpful.”
