Angie Simon has always thrived at being a woman in a “man’s world.” In the 1980s, she got a degree in mechanical engineering from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. She went into the construction and contracting business straight out of college.

In 2008, she became president of Western Allied Mechanical, an $82-million, 225-employee HVAC company, where she’s worked for 30 years. And last year, she was voted as vice president of the Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association, where she was the first woman to serve on its board of directors and will be its first president in 2019.

Working in construction it is hard to find women mentors. So I struggled with the fine line balance of having to be ‘construction tough’ yet still be true to myself as a woman.

Simon is an advocate for women in her field, leading initiatives within Western Allied Mechanical, the sheet metal association, and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers to mentor and support them.

Career path: Project manager, senior project manager, vice president, owner, president.

Employees: 225

Your best advice for others?
Leadership is about providing inspirations to your team. Be a strong, positive, and motivational team leader and your team will give you 100 percent.

Something about you that would surprise others?
My husband and I spent our honeymoon at the Giants Fantasy Camp — it was me and 90 guys playing baseball.

Who is your hero/mentor?
My aunt, Ann Zoll, is a truly amazing woman who was a nurse in World War 2 and worked for the Red Cross until retirement. She worked in a man’s world in the 1950s and 60s and was very successful. She always told me to never be afraid, work hard, and don’t let them see you cry! She is 94 now and still going strong.

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would it be?
Probably something with athletics — I played softball in college and have always wanted to help coach at a high school level.