Cori Wilson has helped change the skyline of Northwest Arkansas. Her projects include Hunt Tower, Founders Plaza and Northgate Plaza in Rogers, as well as Highland Oncology Center in Mountain Home. For the past two years she’s overseen construction of the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine in Bentonville.
“I see how impactful these projects are to the community once they’re done, and I’m honored to be a part,” she said.
“My day-to-day job is always to keep the light green,” she said. “So, every day I’m working toward solutions to problems that would stop us from moving forward — whether that’s finding solutions to issues with contracts, schedules, budgets or relationships. Our job is like herding cats; you have to get all the pieces in the right spot at the right time.”
From St. James, Mo., Wilson graduated from Missouri State in construction management in 2012 and went to work for Crossland Construction. Within three years she became the youngest project manager in her division.
Good at “speaking directly without sugarcoating” and “addressing an issue without assumptions,” Wilson’s experience as a woman in a historically male industry is positive.
She’s grateful for Robert Adams, senior project manager on her team. “It’s great to be mentored by someone who has quite a few years in the industry.”
The founding president of the local National Association of Women in Construction in 2018, Wilson is in the president’s role again, working to educate women in high school and middle school about the opportunities in construction. The organization has grown from 25 to 45 members and recently built a playhouse to auction for the Girl Scouts’ fundraiser.
Mom to a 2-year-old, Wilson enjoys being with family, as well as camping and biking.