Robin MacLennan
California Construction News Editor
When Lee Cunningham looks out at a skyline framed by massive steel girders, she doesn’t just see structural engineering—she sees pure, boundless opportunity.
“My God, young women should consider this career,” Cunningham says, her eyes lighting up with genuine warmth. “The most exciting thing in the world is to be in construction. It gives me chills to take a look at where my steel is—to drive past a massive bridge or transit line and know that what you built is holding it up.”
That deep sense of joy and optimism has guided Cunningham through one of the most remarkable business transformations in Northern California. As President and CEO of BT Metals in Eureka, she took a struggling 70-year-old family shop in a quiet coastal town and turned it into a nationwide supply powerhouse for multi-billion-dollar public infrastructure projects.
Her message to the next generation of women entering the building trades is rooted in self-belief, encouraging them to step into every room with confidence and grace:
“Fifty percent of the problem with women in construction is in the woman’s own head,” Cunningham explains. “You walk into a room and you’re the only one. And rather than saying, ‘Oh my God, I’m the only one’… you learn how to play golf, you do what you do. It’s no different than politics. How do you get elected? It’s about who, and then what.”
That empowering blend of vision, warmth, and strategic skill is precisely why California Construction News named Cunningham one of its Top Women in Construction for 2026. Today, she partners directly with global construction leaders like Kiewit, Dragados, and Flatiron—supplying structural steel, aluminum, and stainless steel for landmark developments across the country.
A Legacy Reborn on the Coast
Cunningham’s journey back to her hometown was driven by family and heart. Raised in Eureka, she had spent years building a distinguished career in Silicon Valley as a media consultant and political strategist, earning her MBA at Santa Clara University and advising prominent national leaders, including former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta.
When her father fell ill, Cunningham returned home to care for him and support the family enterprise, BT Metals. The firm—originally founded by her grandfather and father to fabricate Teepee burners for the regional timber industry—was at a crossroads as local forestry and fishing declined.
“Dad was a fabricator, but the local steel market was virtually gone,” Cunningham recalls. “I sat here and had to ask myself: How do we take a 70-year-old local name and give it nationwide impact?”
With encouraging guidance from Mineta, Cunningham explored federal procurement and discovered that Eureka’s economic location qualified as a HUBZone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone). Pivoting the company from localized shop work to nationwide raw material distribution, she threw herself into learning heavy metals logistics with unmatched passion—working 12-hour days to master the trade.
Her vision paid off almost immediately. BT Metals secured a $4 million federal infrastructure supply contract, opening the door to multi-million-dollar supply packages for railyards, transit corridors, and major bridge rebuilds across the United States.
Building Bridges and Relationships
For Cunningham, business success is ultimately about genuine human connections and mutual respect. She recalls an early diversity vendor meeting in San Francisco where an executive asked how many tons of steel her firm shipped daily. Rather than feeling intimidated, Cunningham responded with lighthearted candor and confidence.
“I looked at him and said, ‘Isn’t this a diversity vendor meeting? Aren’t you here to help the little guy, or did I walk into the wrong place?’” Cunningham smiles. “He burst out laughing and said, ‘Lee, I really like that.’ That was the beginning of a wonderful relationship, and right now we’re working together on four major projects.”
Guided by trusted mentors like Rebecca Llewellyn through Women Construction Owners and Executives (WCOE), Cunningham learned that leadership in heavy industry comes from authenticity and excellence.
“Rebecca showed me that you don’t have to change who you are to succeed,” Cunningham says. “You command respect by knowing your logistics, delivering exceptional service, and showing up for your partners every single time.”
A Champion for Small Business and Future Leaders
Beyond managing heavy metal supply chains, Cunningham is a passionate advocate for community growth. Sitting in her Eureka office, she actively monitors national policy to ensure small, independent businesses continue to have a seat at the table.
“For our economy to thrive, you have to have growth from the bottom up,” Cunningham emphasizes. “Large contractors need nimble, specialized small businesses who take care of the details, track materials with care, and truly look after the customer.”
Cunningham carries that same spirit of encouragement into her advocacy work with the Caltrans Small Business Board, the High-Speed Rail Board, and the National HUBZone Council. To inspire young women to see the beauty and excitement of heavy civil construction, she is even co-creating a television drama series highlighting female construction executives.
“There is an incredible thrill in taking a project from an idea on paper to something real that serves communities for generations,” Cunningham says warmly. “When you know you helped build that foundation, you know you’ve created a legacy of real purpose.”
INSIGHT & ADVICE
The Cunningham Blueprint: Leading with Confidence in Heavy Industry
For young women entering construction, engineering, or any male-dominated trade, Lee Cunningham’s advice centers on one principle: true authority comes from competence, preparation, and self-belief.
- Clear the Mental Hurdle First: Cunningham believes the initial challenge is often internal. “Fifty percent of the problem with women in construction is in the woman’s own head,” she emphasizes. “You walk into a room and you’re the only one. Rather than saying, ‘Oh my God, I’m the only one’… you learn how to play golf, you do what you do. It’s about who, and then what.”
- Lead with Absolute Competence: Respect isn’t requested; it’s earned through preparation. Know your product, master your supply chain logistics, and understand your numbers better than anyone else at the table.
- Stay Authentic: Drawing from her mentor Rebecca Llewellyn, Cunningham cautions against adopting an artificial, overly tough persona. Leading effectively doesn’t mean giving up your personal identity—you command authority by being reliable and delivering flawless results.
- Be Relentlessly Responsive: In fast-moving industries like heavy infrastructure, partners look for peace of mind. Build a reputation as the dependable professional who answers the call, tracks every detail, and solves problems before they reach the job site.
- Build Strategic Relationships: Treat business networking like strategic relationship-building. Focus on mutual value, seek out experienced mentors, and navigate professional circles with confidence.
