“It’s All About Curiosity, Technology and Opportunity” 

 For Alison Frye, a career in construction and civil engineering has never followed a perfectly straight path. Instead, it has evolved through curiosity, technical challenges, leadership opportunities, and a willingness to keep looking at what might come next. 

 Today, Frye serves as Senior Civil Engineer Manager, Clean, Hold, Reuse, for ACO, where she leads a team focused on technical solutions for stormwater management. Her work touches multiple stages of a construction project, from initial design through installation and implementation. It is a role that combines engineering expertise with collaboration, problem-solving and emerging technology; all areas that have helped shape Frye’s career. 

 Finding a Path into Civil Engineering 

 Frye’s introduction to construction came through engineering, but her original inspiration was architecture. “I decided to go into the construction industry,” she explains, “after being exposed to Frank Lloyd Wright’s architecture in high school. This changed a bit as I shadowed a civil engineer at the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and then decided to do a civil engineering undergraduate study.” 

 Civil Engineering gave Frye a clearer picture of a profession, something she believes younger students should have a chance to discover much earlier. “I went into engineering based on high school experiences. But I think this needs to be shown even earlier to relate to the kids. It removes so many mental barriers when you see yourself in the person introducing a career path to you.” 

 Her own career illustrates that breadth. “Civil engineering led to geotechnical work, construction materials, stormwater management, product technology, and leadership. These are all areas of opportunities that may not be obvious to a student simply hearing the word construction.” 

 Learning That Success Does Not Have One Definition 

 Like many women who entered construction when women were far less represented on jobsites and engineering teams, Frye initially felt pressure to adapt herself to the environment around her. 

“Some of the greatest challenges were externally influenced. I felt compelled to change myself to be more ‘accepted’ on-site. I felt like I had to push myself twice as hard to be considered successful. However, I’ve learned that success doesn’t have a hard definition; it’s relative and malleable.” 

 Over time, Frye began recognizing the value of authenticity, resilience, and relationships. “While there are certainly experiences that were less positive, I was and am fortunate to have mentors of many genders to help me navigate the tough career decisions and connected life decisions.” 

Mentors, along with her experiences through NAWIC, helped reinforce an important lesson: professional growth does not always mean following a predetermined ladder. Sometimes it means being willing to take on difficult assignments, learn from mistakes, and remain open to unexpected opportunities. 

 A Construction Industry Becoming More Technology-Driven 

 Frye sees significant transformation across the broader construction industry. Stormwater management is one example. “We’re seeing a lot of technology advances. From a product perspective, the rapid adoption of modular underground stormwater storage systems in the U.S. has changed the design landscape significantly. For an industry that can be slow to change, it’s exciting to see an openness to new technologies.” 

Digital design is another area creating new possibilities. Frye points to the Live Model approach, which allows project disciplines to collaborate earlier and identify conflicts before they become problems in the field. 

 Growing Through NAWIC 

 Frye has also developed as a leader through NAWIC. Her roles have included Cleveland Chapter President, North Central Region Director and National Strategic Plan Chair. But she says NAWIC’s impact goes beyond titles. “NAWIC introduced me to the breadth of the industry, mentors that have helped me grow in career and life and given me opportunities that required growth. As odd as this may sound, it gave me a safe place to fail and learn as I advanced my career.” 

 That ability to try, occasionally fail, and learn in a supportive, professional environment can be especially valuable as members move into leadership roles in their companies and throughout the industry. 

 Staying Open to What Comes Next 

 Frye remains enthusiastic about the projects directly in front of her. “There’s a lot of fun, technical advancement projects in the near term that I’m excited to lead and see to fruition. I always think about it as “getting under the hood” and engaging with creative problem-solving.” 

 At the same time, she is no longer trying to predict exactly where her career will end up. “My old career goals have morphed, and now I’m keeping my eyes open to opportunity and evaluating opportunity based on how it will impact my life holistically. More than anything, embracing the joys of the job now is the most important thing.” 

 That perspective also shapes the advice she gives women considering construction. There is no single personality, degree, skill set or career path required to belong in the industry. “You just have to ask questions and find it,” she adds, “and NAWIC can be a great place to start.”