Women in Construction: Tari S. Rivera

Tari S. Rivera    
Regency Construction Services, Inc.    
President    
38 years in the industry    

Tari S. Rivera founded Regency Construction Services, Inc. in 1994. And with her entrepreneurial vision, determined spirit and solid construction engineering background, she has grown a three person start-up firm into a multimillion-dollar enterprise with a staff of 45 and a diverse healthcare, higher education, K-12 and civic client base that crisscrosses the state. As one of Ohio’s largest female-owned construction management, design/build and general contracting firms, Regency’s practice has remained steadfast to Tari’s early commitment to diversity and opportunity in the workplace, and to creating a professional organization that encourages and empowers women and minorities in construction. As a leader in the community as well as in her business, Tari currently serves as past chair of the ACE Mentor Program in Cleveland and is proud to have been part of this initiative since its inception. The ACE program is very important to Tari because it provides an opportunity to work with and mentor female and minority high school students about career opportunities within the construction industry. Tari is also past chair of the Sisters of Charity Cleveland Foundation and is a current board member of the Construction Employers Association. Honored locally and nationally for her unrelenting pursuit of her vision that was the cornerstone of Regency’s founding, Tari’s awards include the following: 2020 GSNEO Woman of Distinction Honorees, 2019 YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, 2008 Cleveland Engineering Society Hall of Fame, 2006 National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Crystal Vision Award, 2005 Arizona State University (ASU)/NAWIC Outstanding Woman in Construction Award, 2004 NAWIC Industry Appreciation Award, 2004 Top 10 Women Business Owners in Northeast Ohio Award; 2004 Athena Award Finalist, and 2001 The University of Akron – Distinguished Alumnus, College of Engineering.

What brought or attracted you to the construction industry?

The dynamic nature of each project, different clients, different teams, different challenges.    

What do you like most about your work?

Being part of projects that have an impact on the community… education, healthcare and neighborhoods.        

What are your long term career goals?

Leaving a legacy of culture that has instilled in others the importance to always strive for diversity, inclusion and equity in our industry.    

What advice would you give to other women interested in construction?

Invest in developing your technical acumen, communicate at a high level, learn how to facilitate a team of individuals and recognize that conflict will exist but resolving conflict quickly is key.    

Describe the kinds of opportunities in construction available to women?

Company Owner, Project Management (Project Manager, Project Engineer & Project Superintendent), Scheduling, Estimating, Accounting, Marketing and the trades.    

What can be done to attract more women to construction?

Education about how broad the opportunities are both in management and the trades.