Chambers Construction has always had a commitment to supporting career and workforce development. It is with that spirit that Joy Pendowski, Director of Marketing & Business Development, jumped at the opportunity when asked to be a mentor with a new program launched by Lane Community College (LCC), in partnership with Onward Eugene and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, called Mentor Connect.

Mentor Connect is a new mentorship initiative designed to strengthen career pathways for local students and enhance education through real world, experiential learning opportunities. Mentors and their mentees will meet monthly over the course of six months in this pilot program, giving students direct insight  into various professional fields and one-on-one guidance/feedback that they might not get in the classroom or anywhere else that can help them get an edge up as they go into the professional arena.

As Joy works with her mentee, Sunny, they will work on things such as job-shadowing opportunities, community networking events, resume and portfolio preparation, interview practice, and whatever else Sunny feels would be helpful to build confidence and prepare him for success.

Mentor Connect was developed to align with LCC’s ongoing efforts to enhance career and technical education (CTE) pathways and ensure that students are equipped with the skills, confidence, and community connections they need to succeed after graduation.

For Joy, mentoring is not something new. In December, she will complete a year of working with Onward Eugene's Women's Network Program where she mentored a group of women business founders through different challenges businesses face as they work on growth and expansion. She has also spent the past several years working with University of Oregon students in the School of Journalism helping them with their portfolio presentations and delivering their work to a panel of professionals as they enter the workforce. This is an area of passion for Joy, and we're glad for it as she represents Chambers in the community.

Photo credit:  Amelia Remington Corbari, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce

​We’re incredibly proud to celebrate our CFO/COO, Debi Creager, for receiving the Jean Richardson Industry Impact Award at the Daily Journal of Commerce’s Women of Vision Awards this year. This prestigious recognition honors women who are breaking barriers, shaping the future of construction, and inspiring others through their leadership—and Debi embodies all of that and more. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to excellence, integrity, and innovation. Her leadership at Chambers Construction has been instrumental in strengthening our operations, fostering a culture of teamwork, and encouraging growth at every level of the organization.

Beyond the walls of Chambers, she is a champion for women in construction and the skilled trades—advocating for workforce development, advancing our apprenticeship program, and mentoring the next generation of construction professionals. Debi’s impact is recognized not only by those who work alongside her every day but by peers throughout the construction community. Her passion, resilience, and forward-thinking approach serve as an inspiration to us all. We are deeply proud of Debi and grateful for her leadership, guidance, and heart.

​Congratulations, Debi, on this well-deserved honor! 

Just a couple of short weeks ago, March 1-7, we celebrated National Women in Construction week. This holiday is dedicated to changing the stereotypes that women face when it comes to a career in construction.

Our very own Cassandra Dare is a member of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) – local chapter #77. She extended an invitation to the group to tour the Eugene Civic Alliance Civic Park project this spring. Several women took her up on her offer and gathered together at the new Civic Park on March 11. The ladies were excited to see the fullness of the project and what it means for our community.

“The ladies were happy and nostalgic while visiting the site of the old Civic Stadium,” said Cassandra. “They can’t wait for the new park to be filled with community members, especially the kids.”

The NAWIC was founded in 1953 by 16 women in the construction industry. At the time, there were very few women working in the field. The founders wanted to create a support network for themselves, hoping to encourage other women to join their forces. In 1955 NAWIC gained national charter and now there are 120 chapters with more than 4,000 member all around the country.

According to the NAWIC, there is a shortage of people (men and women) in the construction industry making it ripe with opportunity for women who wish to advance in labor and skill. If you or woman you know is interested a career in construction visit the NAWIC website.
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Cassandra Dare, project engineer, has worked with Chambers Construction for nearly six years. You won’t meet a more civic minded person. When Cassandra is not at work, she is volunteering, fundraising for charitable causes, or working in her yard. She heads up much of Chambers Construction’s community fundraising involvement, such as Bras for a Cause and the holiday giving program at Women’s Space. She also sits on the board of directors for Bags of Love. Cassandra inspires all of us, especially woman in construction.

Our new Small Projects Division brings the big expertise and resources of Chambers Construction to work for owners and clients with small commercial and industrial projects.

Nancy Thornton, a project manager with big experience leads the Small Projects Division team.

“I love the construction process,” Nancy says. “Every project is different and brings new challenges. I enjoy navigating those challenges alongside clients.”

Nancy starts the project by meeting onsite to understand the client’s needs. She wants to see and hear first hand how a client envisions their unique project. By serving as a thoughtful and considerate partner early, Nancy can create an intentional construction process for the job with clear guidelines and expectations.

Once the project’s scope is clear, Nancy sees it to completion – from working with sub-contractors to managing the daily schedule, being proactive and advocating for clients and owners all along the way.

“I always want to give owners the best info to make decisions,” she adds. “Whether the owner comes to us with a clear vision or needs help figuring out what’s possible, I’m here to help.”

Do you have a project that might be a fit for our Small Projects Division? Give Nancy a call! 541-743-8650.

Nancy has been in the construction industry for 20 years. She’s married and has two kids. She and her husband are avid Duck fans, they enjoy camping, hiking and all things outdoors.

From lower left and running counterclockwise: Kim H, Debi, Kim C, Pam, Stacy, Janelle, Tana, Tammy and Lila.