Erin Janecyk’s journey in the construction industry began during childhood, accompanying her father to job sites, learning about business operations and embracing the value of hard work. Her summers were filled with family mentoring moments, like learning profit margins in the cab of her father’s Ford F150 or assisting her mother in running the office.
“To help gain an understanding of the trade, Erin worked onsite as a union apprentice – learning from some of the best tradesmen in the field,” said her staff. “The foreman taught her how to lay out ceilings, frame wall systems, and install door hardware by day, while the company estimators taught her to read blueprints and estimate by afternoon.”
Her father’s encouragement to study business and her mother’s example of balancing family and work inspired Janecyk to pursue a business and psychology degree from Arizona State University before formally joining the family business, where she now serves as the president of the company.
Founded in 1976, Janecyk Construction Co. Inc. is a union commercial drywall contractor specializing in hospital interiors, office spaces, restaurants and research facilities. Recently achieving Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) certification, Janecyk Construction is now recognized as a woman-owned, woman-operated business.
Under Janecyk’s leadership, Janecyk Construction has successfully navigated the challenges of a shifting market landscape. The company pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic, shifting focus from downtown Chicago office projects to expanding its hospital and medical facility work across a broader territory, including northwest Indiana. Her vision for the next five years includes continuing geographic expansion, increasing sales and mentoring young women entering the construction field.
“In an industry prone to unexpected challenges, her ability to manage change utilizing her strong emphasis on communication and collaboration will undoubtedly contribute to her future success,” said her staff. “Erin believes that every situation is an opportunity to learn something new.”
As a minority in a male-dominated field, Janecyk’s commitment to the next generation shines through her involvement in local schools, where she promotes union trades as viable career paths. She speaks at job fairs, sharing the benefits of a trade career and mentoring young talent, helping shape the future of construction.
Janecyk said she thrives by staying hands-on, regularly visiting job sites, and engaging with her team to understand their needs and explore innovations. “As I walk the path of management, I’m careful to stay hands-on with projects because it’s easy to feel somewhat removed from the daily tasks on job sites,” she said. “This allows me to stay relevant, but what really reignites my passion for the industry is networking with suppliers, competitors and clients that I’ve grown with from my days starting out.”