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Contractor Elem Rinomato, president of Torino Drywall, recalls the first time she attended a meeting of the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario some 20 years ago.
Contractor Elem Rinomato, president of Torino Drywall, recalls the first time she attended a meeting of the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario some 20 years ago.
“I walked in the main door and the smell of smoke and cognac was overwhelming,” she told a women in construction session at http://www.constructcanada.com/post_show_2012/index.phpConstruct Canada. “All heads turned in unison and stared at me.
“I said, ‘gentlemen, please carry on as you always have.’ Eventually, they accepted me into the old boys’ club.”
Rinomato, who bought Torino from her father when she was 28 and is one of the few women in a leadership position in the male-dominated drywall trade, hasn’t looked back. She ultimately gained a seat on the association’s board of directors.
“I learned everything I could and made sure my voice was heard, at every single meeting.”
Rinomato, who has a master’s degree in business administration and has been dubbed the “doyenne of drywall” by the Toronto Star, has served as the association’s vice-president for the past 13 years.
“Let me tell you something, they listen,” she said. “I think you have to have a clear vision that is expressed in a way that people can understand what you want to achieve. You have to be articulate.”
She has also served on the board of the Building Industry and Land Development Association.
In addition to heading Torino Drywall, Rinomato also is the owner of Country Homes and vice-president of the Rinomato Group of Companies which develops land and builds industrial and commercial plazas.
She took part in a session entitled: “Build your network and grow your business.” The focus was on doing so, while dealing with the challenges women face in construction.
“I’m sure many of you can relate as I share with you some of the major challenges that I have encountered in my career.” In addition to raising children while running a business, other challenges have included keeping up with fast-paced technology, taking risks and having the “guts” to listen to her inner voice.
“You know when you get that uh-oh feeling that something is not right,” she said. “Listen to your gut.”
In her presentation, Rinomato also underlined the importance of maintaining a positive attitude and remaining true to oneself.
“Don’t change who you are because we are in a man’s world,” she concluded. “Be the best possible version of yourself.”
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