Patricia Harrell is the first female hired to work the pit in Martin Marietta’s east division, at Fountain Quarry in Fountain, N.C. (Patricia Harrell photo)

"If you have the drive to do something, no matter what anyone tells you and contrary to what society says, if you're good at it and you like it, just do it," says Trish Harrell, who will tell any woman who asks her about taking a job operating heavy equipment.

Harrell speaks from experience. She is the first female hired to work the pit in Martin Marietta's east division, at Fountain Quarry in Fountain, N.C.

What makes Harrell even more unique is her extensive machine-operating experience. At 24, she got her CDL. She drove wreckers, dump trucks and tractor trailers for six years. Hauling heavy equipment was what made her interested in operating it.

"When I was younger, I was into anything that had a motor in it. I started with go carts, tractors or whatever I could get my hands on," said Harrell, who admits she's the only person in her family with an obsession for operating equipment. "I'm the only one; nobody else in my family does it, I don't have any family members in the industry."

Harrell, who was given the nickname "Utility" by one of the company's parts suppliers, started as a truck driver at Martin Marietta in the summer of 2021. Soon after, she started operating basically every piece of equipment at the quarry: motor grader, yard loader, pit loader, articulating trucks, skid steers, excavators and more, earning her the distinct nickname.

Just like any job, Harrell said working at a quarry has its good days and its tough days, but she wouldn't trade it for another type of job.

"It's hard; you need to have a different mindset for it. Some days are easy, and some days are just rough. But I love running equipment. It's hard on your body and your mind; it's a long day, but I like the people I work with, and I like the company and that makes it easier."

Harrell's expertise running equipment grabbed the attention of the organizers of the annual Gregory Poole Cat Operator Challenge, who asked her to compete in the 2022 event.

"One of their road mechanics who comes out to the quarry to service equipment referred me to his boss when they asked if anyone knew of any women who operated equipment," she said. "I thought it was a co-ed competition this year; I didn't realize I was the first female in North America to compete. My work at Martin Marietta is based on how well I do it, not how fast. I didn't win anything, but I did get a lot of recognition for being the only woman there. Other operators came up and introduced themselves and congratulated me for being there."

Harrell is used to being the only woman on the job site but cautions other women looking to break into the industry that it takes thick skin.

"You've got to be tough. You'll have days you want to quit and think it's not worth it, but it is. Go home, bite the bullet and do it again the next day. It drives you to be better and do more. The more they told me I couldn't do something, the more I wanted to do it." CEG

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