Our Constituent of the Week is Kate Howick, President of the Space Coast Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction and Director of Operations for the Danella Engineering and Construction Company.
Ms. Howick was born in Seattle, and lived in Salt Lake City before moving to Brevard County in 1992. She graduated from Cocoa High School in 1994 and promptly joined the U.S. Army after graduation and served as a Petroleum Supply/Operations Personnel Specialist at Fort Benning in Georgia. After her tour of service, she moved back to Brevard County and began working in the construction industry as a Project Coordinator at Ivey’s Construction in Merritt Island.
She used her GI Bill to further her education and enrolled at the University of Central Florida graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics in 2006. Upon graduation, she began teaching at Viera High School serving nearly 12 years teaching AP Calculus, where she also served as an AP Research Teacher, and as the Math Department Chair.
In 2018, she returned to the construction industry with Magellan Advisors as a Project Manager, and in 2020 she joined the Danella Engineering and Construction Company as Director of Operations. At Danella, Ms. Howick oversees the design and build of broadband infrastructure for service providers, municipalities, and government entities at the Melbourne location.
Ms. Howick is also the current president of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) Space Coast Chapter. NAWIC is a national non-profit organization representing women in construction and the trades. Their core purpose is to promote and amplify the success of women in construction through networking, professional development, advanced certification, continuing education, advocacy and mentorship among other actions.
In Brevard County, the NAWIC Space Coast Chapter’s efforts include promoting construction and the trade careers by offering scholarships, attending Career Fairs, participating in community service projects, building partnerships in education, hosting K-6 building block competitions, and encouraging Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) education.
The membership is comprised of business owners and executives from a diverse range of fields including paving, concrete, marine and general contracting, underground utilities, roofing, metal fabrication, rentals, painting, specialty construction material and supply.
The Space Coast Chapter also takes on local charitable initiatives. Recently, the Make-A-Wish foundation reached out to the membership to help a little girl on Merritt Island with a genetic disorder needing a wheelchair friendly backyard. To participate in their efforts to grant her wish, click here.
Ms. Howick and her husband, Dan, reside in Viera, and they have a son residing in Orlando. In her spare time she enjoys exercising, attending concerts and sporting events, and Disney World.
In recognition of National Women’s History month, it is an honor to highlight Ms. Howick’s leadership, service, and success throughout Senate District 19.