Small, specialty subcontractors face increasing challenges in finding quality workers, maintaining cash flow despite delayed payments, and following safe practices as schedules shrink, said Bree Wink, President of Fire Line Services, Inc., a family-owned, WBE, wet utilities company based in Fort Worth, Texas.

“We have a better chance, a bigger voice, and better ideas for solving those issues if we all come together,” she said.

To achieve that collaboration, Wink joined the North Texas chapter of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) six years ago. After serving on various committees and the organization’s Board, she started a two-year term as President last year.

NUCA represents contractors, suppliers, manufacturers, and other providers in the water, sewer, gas, electric, telecommunications, treatment plant, and excavation industries. The North Texas chapter provides training to improve safety, operational proficiency, and financial performance for member companies, as well as networking events and updates on regulatory changes.

In her interview with Texas Contractor, Wink shares the lessons she learned throughout her career and the priorities for NUCA North Texas in working with general contractors and tackling the challenges faced by specialty subcontractors.

What brought you to the construction industry?

Growing up in Duncanville, Texas, my family was pretty poor. I worked odd jobs until I turned 15, then I got my Hardship Driver’s License. From there, I worked for various companies and eventually ended up with a small contractor that did primarily communications and other dry utilities. I was in charge of accounts payable and project management. In addition to the administrative tasks, I really enjoyed being out at jobsites and not just stuck behind a desk. I love problem solving, and there are lots of problems in construction.

When did you join Fire Line?

Friends in the construction industry introduced me to Dwayne Wink, the man I eventually married. He had started Fire Line about five years earlier. As our relationship grew, I told him I’d never work with him, but after we got married, I saw areas that needed help that I was really good at, and the next thing I knew we were working together. That was in 1998. Dwayne now serves as Vice President, overseeing estimating and field operations. We make a good team because we counter each other’s weaknesses and know each other’s strengths.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career?

My husband. This is a male-dominated industry, but he never looked at it that way. He’s always been supportive and told me, “You know more than you think you do.” He also has a wealth of knowledge in areas I don’t, so I’ve been able to get the information I need and get it honestly.

What lessons have you learned in your professional life?

How to delegate properly. We put all the blood, sweat, tears, and time into building this business, and eventually grew it to a point where we couldn’t wear all those hats. We learned to hire people who are gifted in the areas we’re delegating. If you want to continue growing, you can’t get close-minded. However, you need to vet new ideas to be sure they’re efficient and good for your particular business in your particular season.

What’s the best advice you ever received?

Don’t focus on what you don’t know; focus on what you do know. Don’t self-sabotage. At the same time, never stop learning. Go research and continue to learn in the areas where you’re lacking.

What professional achievement makes you proudest?

Serving as President of NUCA North Texas. I didn’t realize how much it helps me have a bigger voice. I wish I’d utilized an association like this years ago. By becoming more involved in a leadership role, I’m able to help my industry, my peers, and my business.

What are the priorities for NUCA North Texas?

First is our Workforce of Tomorrow initiative. We’re collaborating with Hill College in Hillsboro, Texas, to develop a workforce program and eventually a degree program for underground utilities and infrastructure. It provides an opportunity for kids who just aren’t made for the typical four-year college, giving them an avenue for a more hands-on career. We’ll also provide continuing education for our current workforce. We hope to have something in place within the next 12 months.

Another big priority is working with contractors to start NUCA chapters in other parts of Texas. Currently there are national and state-wide organizations to handle legislative issues, but we’re the only local chapter in Texas. We work on the hands-on, grassroots issues. So many good things are happening in our chapter; if it works for us, it can work in other parts of the state, too.

What are the biggest challenges facing your industry? How is NUCA addressing those?

The first is cash flow. Nationwide, the average term our industry gets paid is 54 days. It shouldn’t take that long for me to get paid when I need to pay my employees and a lot of my vendors every week. It’s too big of an ask for small businesses.

Another hot topic in our industry is project schedules. They’re so much shorter and more demanding than they were even five years ago. It’s difficult to perform work safely and in the proper order for a quality job with the schedules that are asked.

To address both of those problems, my association wants to work with the associations that represent general contractors, developers, and owners. We need each other. We need to talk and find some type of workaround that helps both sides.

Finally, we have a lot of work going on, but it’s a challenge to find quality employees right now. NUCA is trying to do something about that through our collaboration with Hill College.