Nicola Upright
Nicola Upright is a seasoned construction professional with 41 years of experience in the heavy civil road construction industry. Her career began with the Colorado Department of Transportation, where she advanced from tester and inspector to project manager, overseeing multimillion-dollar projects and leading diverse teams. Nicola’s journey has not always been easy as a woman in a male-dominated field, often being the only woman on site and navigating pushback while in charge. Her success has come from being highly skilled, confident in her craft, and committed to excellence in every project she undertakes.
Currently, Nicola serves as a Construction Manager at RockSol Consulting Group, Inc., based in Loveland, Colorado. Her days vary between office planning and fieldwork, where she inspects roadways and structures, coordinates material testing, supervises teams, and collaborates with contractors and agencies to guide projects to completion. Some of her notable achievements include managing a 30-mile resurfacing and realignment project involving 160,000 tons of asphalt, as well as overseeing the reconstruction of bridges following Colorado’s 2013 flooding—both projects earning industry awards. Beyond construction, Nicola founded a charity 19 years ago for the Colorado Department of Transportation, which has since given back over $250,000 to employees and their families.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Nicola is deeply committed to mentorship and industry leadership. She is a founding member of Women of Asphalt Colorado and served as its president for five years, fostering growth and opportunities for women in the industry. Her personal experiences, including a 13-week recovery after a hip injury, have informed her understanding of accessibility, enabling her to incorporate inclusive perspectives into her work. Nicola holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Colorado State University and is recognized for her expertise in project management, budgeting, inspection, and teaching. Her career reflects a dedication to excellence, resilience, and the advancement of others in the construction industry.
• Colorado State University - BA, Anthropology
• Women of Asphalt Colorado (Founding Member)
What do you attribute your success to?
I followed in my dad's footsteps, and my dad was always behind me. As I got into the industry, I found those people that could help me along my way, and I kind of knew where I wanted to go, and things just fell into place as I went. I always strive to keep learning and keep driving forward. I've had some struggles along the way, but we found ways to overcome them. About 15 years ago, I broke my hip outside of work and was out for 13 weeks. I had to figure out how to manage my home life and then come back and figure out what I could do and what I couldn't. It really hasn't hindered me much, but it showed me a lot - being injured, learning from those experiences. Being handicapped, like if you're in a wheelchair or stuck to a chair, you can't reach things. So when you're looking at push buttons on traffic controls for the walk, how close can a wheelchair get? How easy is it to maneuver truncation, the little bumps on the sidewalks if you're in a wheelchair? Those things gave me a different perspective, and taking those perspectives and applying them and moving them forward has been important.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to approach my work with confidence and never hesitate to ask questions. Believing in my abilities allows me to take on challenges with clarity and purpose, while asking questions ensures I learn, grow, and make informed decisions. This mindset has consistently helped me navigate complex situations and advance professionally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to be confident in yourself and your abilities. Don’t take setbacks too hard mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow. Surround yourself with supportive, trustworthy people, regardless of gender, and know who you can turn to for guidance. Never hesitate to ask for help and seek mentorship. Above all, commit to continuous learning and cultivate the habit of listening carefully there’s immense value in observing and absorbing insights from the conversations around you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges are funding for projects - we rely on a lot of federal and state dollars to do any of our work, and the local agencies are struggling. Another challenge to the industry is that all the experienced older people are retiring, and now we're bringing in the younger people who don't have the same experience or knowledge. They look at things differently, which is good, but it can also be bad, and so it's more challenging. We're also short on workers - not enough workers for the contractors. We don't have as many people going into the trades as in the past, so contractors are always shorthanded, and that makes it challenging to keep work going.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I think honesty is one of the big things, having that integrity, being who you are. Sometimes you have to make tough decisions, and it's not always easy, but you have to hold to your values and the integrity that you want to portray out there.