Mary Alar, CHPEW
Mary Alar, CHPEW, is a Senior Project Manager and Estimator at O'Donnell/Snider Construction based in Houston, Texas, specializing in healthcare construction and capital renovation projects within fully operational clinical environments. With nearly two decades of experience in the construction industry and over a decade focused on healthcare facilities, she manages complex, phased projects ranging from targeted infrastructure upgrades to multi-million-dollar renovations. Her expertise includes infection control, life safety compliance, budget management, scheduling, and stakeholder coordination, with a strong emphasis on minimizing disruption to patient care while maintaining regulatory and operational standards.
Her career began in banking and finance before transitioning into construction in the mid-2000s. She entered healthcare construction in 2014 as an assistant project manager, later advancing to superintendent roles where she oversaw subcontractors and field operations on public and private hospital projects, including UTMB and other healthcare systems. From 2019 onward, she transitioned into estimating and senior project management, where she became responsible for both pre-construction planning and full project execution, including subcontractor coordination, schedule development, cost control, weekly owner-architect-contractor meetings, and invoice approval. She previously held a Project Estimator and Senior Project Manager role with Primetime Healthcare Compliance Services, further strengthening her expertise in healthcare-focused project delivery.
In her current leadership role, Mary combines technical construction knowledge with financial oversight to successfully deliver healthcare projects ranging from minor renovations to large-scale facility upgrades. She is a Certified Healthcare Physical Environment Worker (CHPEW) through the American Society for Health Care Engineering and actively engages in continuing education and industry development. Known for her disciplined approach to project execution and commitment to mentorship, she is passionate about supporting emerging professionals in construction—particularly women—while demonstrating that success in the industry is achieved through persistence, accountability, and authenticity.
• OSHA 30
• ICRA Infection Control Certifications
• Certified Health Care Physical Environment Worker
• ASHE
• Dog and Horse Rescue
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to making a career change from banking and finance to construction because it suited my personality. When it comes to healthcare, it suits my personality even more because of the cleanliness that you have to maintain on that job site, because of all the infection control regulations and you've got people's lives at risk every day that you're in construction inside of these hospitals that you have to maintain as well. The biggest achievement for me has been obtaining a senior project manager position overseeing $5 million and up projects without a college degree. It was very difficult and rocky for a while, but once I made a name for myself, it just stayed out there. I'm very passionate about what I do, otherwise I'm not going to do it. I don't believe I had to adapt to the man's world of it, and I shouldn't take emotion out of what I do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that I can build a career I truly love while still achieving success and inspiring others.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to believe in their ability to succeed and to remain true to themselves throughout their careers. Early on, I was told I needed to adapt to a “man’s world,” but I chose not to suppress my passion or emotion because I believe those qualities are strengths, not weaknesses. This industry can feel male-dominated and often becomes a “sink or swim” environment, which can discourage many young women from entering or staying in it. That is why I am passionate about mentorship and supporting the next generation of women, so they can feel encouraged, valued, and confident in pursuing and sustaining careers in this field.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is that there is not enough young people in this industry anymore, especially girls. There's not a lot of girls that come into our industry anymore because it's such a man's world that they shy away from it, and most of the time it's sink or swim. That's a major reason I wanted to be featured, because I am big on wanting to do mentorship with them, especially girls. I want other women to see that you can make it in this industry.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me are staying true to yourself and being passionate about what you do. I don't believe I should take emotion out of what I do. I am very passionate about what I do, otherwise I'm not going to do it. I also believe strongly in giving back and helping others. If we don't step in as a society and try to help take care of neglected animals, it's just going to get worse and worse. The same applies to mentoring young women in construction. I want to teach the younger generation that you can make it in this industry if you stay true to yourself and don't feel like you have to adapt to the man's world of it.