Intertech’s Tess Shelton Named Subcontractor of the Year

This month, our own Tess Shelton, product consultant based in Intertech Flooring’s San Antonio office, was honored as Subcontractor of the Year by the Associated Builders and Contractors South Texas Chapter. Congratulations to Tess on this great honor and her many contributions to ABC-South Texas and the commercial construction industry in the San Antonio area.

We caught up with Tess recently to find out more about her work with ABC, and why she chooses to volunteer her time. Here’s some excerpts from our interview:

What areas do you volunteer in for ABC South Texas?

I’m involved with LOGIC (Ladies Operating for Growth in Construction) and FLI (Future Leaders Initiative), and I am the chairperson for the Sportsman’s Committee.

When did you first get involved, and why? What do you get out of supporting this group?

I first started getting involved with ABC as soon as I joined Intertech 6 years ago. Mark Jones (vice president of Intertech’s San Antonio operations) encouraged me to do so. I have been involved with some great events and took on responsibility for chairing a committee that hosts one of the largest events for the organizing chapter.

Through my involvement, I have made great professional, and even personal, friends with some of the biggest general contractors in San Antonio. I get to be involved with community service opportunities through LOGIC and FLI, and also get the opportunity to sit in on speeches/talks from professionals in construction. In addition to the personal gain I receive from ABC, I also feel it is important to keep Intertech Flooring visible and active in this organization that’s composed of the “best of the best” general contractors and well-known subcontractors at the top of their game.

Out of all the work you have done with the chapter, what one thing has been the most valuable, fun or rewarding?

LOGIC has been the best part of the ABC experience for me. Being able to connect, learn, and grow with other women in construction has been great. For example, just the other day I was partnered up with an assistant project manager with Structure Tone for a cornhole tournament with LOGIC on a Friday afternoon. Although I might not work directly on the project with this person, I believe having an Intertech representative present and interacting is good for the San Antonio office. Hopefully, by creating a professional relationship with her, she will keep Intertech on her radar for future projects.

Committing to volunteer with a professional organization can be time consuming. With your busy schedule, how do you balance your volunteer work with your other responsibilities?

Committing to multiple committees and events is extremely time consuming. My first priority is absolutely always Intertech and making sure my tasks are complete, or to a point where I feel comfortable being able to attend whatever is going on.

This goes for other events as well, not just ABC events. I am participating in the AIA sporting clay shoot with a team of architects and an interior designer, and I will make sure my work is squared away and everyone knows how to reach me before I leave. Having my email on my phone and having a laptop makes it really easy to be able to work remotely for a day if I really need to.

In addition to all of my work responsibilities, I also have a 5-year-old soon-to-be stepdaughter, and own property with 4 horses, chickens, dogs, and some barn cats. I have an incredible spouse who is very supportive of me having to go to after-work events, and is awesome at being able to take care of “everyone” on the nights when I get home late.

Intertech has always placed a priority on its people not just being members of an organization, but personally getting involved. How has having an employer with that philosophy encouraged you to volunteer?

With Intertech being supportive of me being active in ABC, it’s allowed me to participate as much as I realistically can. I’ve become well known in the ABC South Texas Chapter, and I talk about how great Intertech Flooring is as much as I possibly can, especially emphasizing how great the Intertech Advantage is. I hope by keeping Intertech visible in the marketplace, it will help keep us on people’s “radar.”

Use three words to describe the experience you have had through your work with ABC-South Texas.

Great professional opportunity.

If you are looking for an enthusiastic, experienced and hardworking flooring product consultant for your commercial flooring project, let Tess Shelton put her award-winning expertise to work for you. Email her to talk about the needs of your latest project.