By KERRY SMITH BUCK
O’FALLON, Ill. – After nearly 14 years of service, one of Southern Illinois Builders Association’s hard-working team members is ready to enter a new season.
Administrative Assistant Shari Schutzenhofer’s final day of work was Oct. 31. She began working for SIBA in January 2012 on the building administrative side of the organization, which counts more than 500 construction industry companies across Illinois and Missouri as its members.
For the past 11 years, Schutzenhofer has been working alongside SIBA Safety Director John Holt as his administrative assistant. This role, she says, has given her an even greater respect and appreciation of the importance of all things safety.
“John brings back information from all of his safety training sessions and I input it,” says Schutzenhofer. “I’ve learned so much about how safety is the thread that weaves all building projects and teams together.”
Her favorite take-away from her time with SIBA, Schutzenhofer says, has been seeing young adults choose careers in the trades. She adds that over the past decade-plus, she’s been able to watch young learners gain their apprenticeship education and training and move into rewarding roles as they begin their construction careers – many of them now working for companies that are SIBA members.
“As a member-supported building organization, we take a lot of pride in watching that happen,” she says.
Schutzenhofer says she’s ready to join her husband, Terry, who has been retired for two years.
“It’s really hard to walk away from the terrific team at SIBA,” she says, “but I am ready to enter a new chapter of my life and enjoy more camping, boating, volunteering and reconnecting with my family.”
The Schutzenhofer’s have three grown children – Ryan, Katie and Haley.
Specific volunteering this East St. Louis native plans to do includes the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a longstanding organization whose mission is to serve the poor and marginalized.