Brianna Pezzullo

I always knew I wanted to be a psychologist in high school, so I went to Sam Houston State University and studied psychology. To pay off my student loans while in school, I started working at Woodworkers Tool and Supply, which sold cabinet hinges, door hardware, drawer slides, and did freight from Vietnam. That's where I learned I had an interest in the construction industry. The woman who owned the store was a widow who took over her late husband's business, and she taught me everything - we were kind of a two-man band there for a little while. From there, I got the opportunity to go to TRW Family of Companies, a Division 10 subcontractor, where I took a job as an admin working in their repair sales and services. When the project manager position came available, I immediately went into my boss's office and said I'd love to apply, and they gave it to me. That's where I really dove deep into the construction industry as a project manager and estimator for almost 5-6 years. I got involved with NAWIC, CREM, and heavily involved with Logic, which is a women's peer group with the Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston. I served as committee member, co-chair, chair, secretary, and would have been vice chair this year, but I came on staff with Associated Builders and Contractors of Greater Houston. Logic holds a very deep place in my heart - there are a lot of really heavy hitters in that committee who threw me into all that the industry has to offer for women. That's how I got involved with ACRP, the Association of Commercial Real Estate Professionals, where they do the Bayou City Brawl every year. That became my passion project. I was the first woman to ever compete in the Bayou City Brawl and the first female champ. A lot of people know me by that, not necessarily where I work. It's one of those things that as a woman you do and it's so empowering, but then to also do it for charity and advocate for women in construction - it's my little thing that I love very, very much.