To close out Women’s History Month, we wanted to highlight an IHG® Army Hotels employee who’s made incredible contributions to the lives of women in the maintenance industry. Vicky McLaughlin is the Maintenance Manager at Fort Leavenworth and has held this position since its transition into IHG® in 2009. The only female Maintenance Manager at IHG® Army Hotels, she is a prime example of the value women provide to the workforce.
Statistically, women only represent 5.4% of the labor force in building maintenance at any level and less than 1% at the management level. Vicky has been a pioneer for women in the field for more than 35 years. Starting out as a Maintenance Worker in a nursing home, Vicky was immediately recognized as an astute employee and quick learner. Within four years, her tireless efforts led her to a promotion—Maintenance Manager.
Throughout her 35-year journey, Vicky’s strong leadership abilities and can-do attitude have been tested by the expectations of those around her. Surely a woman couldn’t do a “man’s job,” right? Vicky didn’t allow the peanut gallery to get her down, quickly leveraging her sharp wit and thirst for knowledge into yet another promotion. This time, to Regional Traveling Maintenance Consultant for over fifty nursing homes. In this role, Vicky provided professional oversight and guidance to more than 150 employees across her region.
In 2008, Vicky left her nursing home role to join the Fort Leavenworth Lodging team. Her knowledge and reputation quickly vaulted her into a Maintenance Manager position during the transition of Army Lodging to IHG®, and her vast network of military connections proved to be a valuable contribution to the success of IHG’s Army partnership. Since then, Vicky has assisted in the transitions of Ft. Lee, Ft. Polk, Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Campbell and Redstone Arsenal, making her an invaluable resource for IHG® Army hotels. Her in-depth knowledge and meticulous record-keeping make her a sought-after resource for installations everywhere.
When asked what the hardest part of being a woman in a male-dominated workforce was, Vicky said, “Men don’t always like a woman in authority and you are constantly having to prove yourself.” According to her, the most rewarding thing about being the Maintenance Manager is, “building a team, training them, watching them grow and be successful.” Her desire is, “to have more women get into the maintenance field.”
On behalf of everyone at IHG® Army Hotels, we want to recognize Vicky for her incredible contributions to our hotels and thank her for the inspiration she’s provided to so many around her. Keep breaking down barriers, Vicky. We’re all cheering you on.