Stephanie Hall, CIT
Stephanie Hall is a pioneering construction executive with over 26 years of experience in the industry. Inspired by her father to pursue a career in construction, she embraced the field from an early age, excelling in high school shop and drafting classes as the only female student. Stephanie earned three degrees from the University of Cincinnati in Construction Management, Architectural Engineering, and Civil Engineering, and later completed a postgraduate program at Clemson University to earn her Construction Industry Technician designation. Throughout her career, she has consistently broken barriers, serving as the first female project engineer and project manager at several firms, and opening doors for other women in construction.
Stephanie’s professional journey spans a variety of high-profile projects, including K–12 schools, resorts, and multi-million-dollar Disney developments in Orlando. Upon returning to Cincinnati in 2010, she led D.A.G. Construction as president, transforming the small family-owned business into a larger market competitor. She later contributed to Crestpoint Development, managing private client projects, before joining J & D Rack Excavation in 2023. In January 2024, she made history as the first female and first non-family CEO of J & D Rack, a 93-year-old excavation company, where she now leads operations alongside a fourth-generation business partner.
Beyond her executive roles, Stephanie is deeply committed to mentorship and advancing diversity in the trades. She serves on the Outreach Committee for the Spirit of Construction Foundation and has held advisory roles with universities and construction organizations, actively supporting the next generation of professionals. Known for her hands-on approach and dedication to excellence, Stephanie thrives on the variety and challenge of each new project, ensuring quality outcomes while preserving the legacy of the companies she leads.
• LEED Green Associate
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• CPR/AED/First Aid
• Stormwater, erosion, and sediment control
• OSHA 30-Hour Construction
• CIT (Construction Industry Technician)
• University of Cincinnati - BS
• Spirit of Construction
• Associated Builders & Contractors
• Catholic Inner City Schools Business Advisory Council
• Northern Kentucky Business Advisory Council
• University of Cincinnati College of Engineering Business Advisory Council
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having thick skin. I know that sounds probably bad, but if I wouldn't take the hazing, and the teasing, and the doubt, I don't think I would have been able to stay in it. I'm one of those people that if somebody says you can't do 10 push-ups, I'm gonna do 11 just to accept the challenge. I may not be able to do one, but I'm gonna try. Early on, many people were like, you're not gonna last, you're going to want to become a wife, you're going to want to become a mother, you're not going to stay in this. And I'm like, watch me do it all. That determination to prove people wrong and accept every challenge has been the key factor to my success. I also credit having a strong network of people I can lean on. Right now, in my position as CEO, I am surrounded by other CEOs, and a lot of them are women, and I am so incredibly grateful for the ability to call them up and go, hey, I got an HR question, or hey, my machine broke down, what do you think. Having people to lean on has been invaluable.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think the number one thing is find someone that you can lean on, have a mentor or something. Right now, in my position, I am surrounded by other CEOs, and a lot of them are women, and I am so incredibly grateful for the ability to call them up and go, hey, I got an HR question, hey, my machine broke down, what do you think. I think that if I had had that coming up, like if I had someone to say, look, the guys on the side are giving me a really hard time, what should I do about it, I think it would've helped me, and I think it might have helped others who just kind of gave up. So, finding a mentor, or not even a mentor, but someone that you can lean on, is critical. And never let anyone define your limits. When people told me I wasn't going to last or that I'd want to become a wife and mother instead of staying in construction, I proved them wrong by doing it all.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is that there still aren't enough women in construction. I had really hoped that there would be more women in construction by now, and there really isn't. That's one of the main reasons I agreed to do this interview - I'm hoping that some young lady that's in high school or college or whatever comes across your website and sees that there are powerful women in construction and says, maybe let me try that. My whole goal is, if I can get one woman to come into the industry and say, I did it because of Stephanie, that would be amazing. When I go to career fairs and stuff at schools in my hard hat and my safety boots, and these girls are like, you do what? And I'm like, yeah, I drive these bulldozers, and they're like, really? There's a huge opportunity to inspire the next generation of women to enter this field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are preserving legacy and mentoring the next generation. It means the world to me that this family business trusted me with their 93-year legacy. My partner has three young kids at home - twin boys and a little girl - and I would love to see them want to come in and take over the company. I want to mentor not only the boys, but his daughter, and say, you can do anything. If she wants to take this on and carry it on to the fifth generation, sixth generation, I want to do anything I can to help that happen. I'm just trying not to do them wrong, you know? I want to honor the trust they placed in me and ensure this family legacy continues. I also value opening doors for other women and being a role model, which is why I participate in career fairs and agreed to this interview - if I can inspire even one woman to enter construction, that's a success.