News: Spotlight Content

2025 Women in Construction:
Luiza Mills, Interstate Electrical Services Corp.

Luiza Mills
Senior Vice President
Interstate Electrical Services Corp.

 

What is one project or achievement in your career that you are most proud of, and how did it impact your organization or community? I am most recently proud of launching Interstate’s Assembler Apprentice Program, the first of its kind in Mass. It opened construction careers to a multifaceted workforce. The program provides a certified pathway, attracting individuals with varied backgrounds and skills, including those seeking new opportunities or facing barriers to entry. It has created a pipeline of skilled employees who contribute innovative ideas, benefiting our organization and community.

What trends or innovations do you believe will shape the future of your field, and how are you positioning yourself (or your firm) to be at the forefront? The construction industry’s future hinges on advanced technology, labor solutions, and sustainability. At Interstate, we understand that change is evolution, and evolution is vital in every aspect of our business. We believe AI will revolutionize our field, and our operations center will continue to drive progress in productivity and efficiency. By maximizing CAD, BIM, virtual design within construction, robotics systems, and advanced workforce scheduling and field tools, we are committed to innovation that will improve operations and build a safer, more efficient future for everyone.

Who or what has inspired you most in your career, and what advice would you share with the next generation of women entering the A/E/C industry? My parents are my greatest inspiration, exemplifying hard work and giving back to their community. I’m inspired by the entire Interstate team. They are some of our industry’s most dedicated, talented, and forward-thinking individuals. I’m grateful for mentors, who trusted in me, motivated me, believed in my abilities, and supported me. We need to engage more women into the A/E/C field, reshaping perceptions of construction and showcasing the multifaceted career paths available, from installation and engineering, to project management and finance, to influencers and innovators.

What’s your favorite way to recharge or get inspired outside of work? I love supporting youth. My daughter’s generation inspires me. They’re innovative, and visionary.

MORE FROM Spotlight Content

Check out the New England Real Estate Journal's 2025 Fall Preview Spotlight

NEREJ’s Fall Preview is Out Now!
Explore our Fall Preview Spotlight, featuring exclusive Q&As with leading commercial real estate professionals and in-depth byline articles on today’s most relevant market topics. Gain insight into the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping New England’s commercial real estate landscape this fall.  
READ ON THE GO
DIGITAL EDITIONS
Subscribe
Columns and Thought Leadership
Shallow-bay wins on 495/128:  A renewal-driven market with a thin pipeline - by Nate Nickerson

Shallow-bay wins on 495/128: A renewal-driven market with a thin pipeline - by Nate Nickerson

The Boston industrial market entered mid-2025 in a bifurcated state. Large-block vacancy remains elevated, while shallow-bay along the 495/128 corridor continues to prove resilient. Fieldstone’s focus on this geography positions us squarely in the middle of a renewal-driven, supply-constrained
How long should I hold a property for it to qualify as an investment property in connection with a 1031 tax-deferred exchange? - by Brendan Greene and Mark McCue

How long should I hold a property for it to qualify as an investment property in connection with a 1031 tax-deferred exchange? - by Brendan Greene and Mark McCue

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 1031 provides “No gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment if such property is exchanged solely for property of like kind which is to be held
30 years on South Coast Rail: A journey to connect Southeastern Mass. with commuter rail - by Rick Carey

30 years on South Coast Rail: A journey to connect Southeastern Mass. with commuter rail - by Rick Carey

On March 24, 2025, a dream more than three decades in the making became a reality with the launch of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Coast Rail commuter service. This milestone marks the completion of a project that overcame numerous starts and stops, including changes in leadership
How do we manage our businesses in a climate of uncertainty? - by David O'Sullivan

How do we manage our businesses in a climate of uncertainty? - by David O'Sullivan

These are uncertain times for the home building industry. We have the threat of tariffs mixed with high interest rates and lenders nervous about the market. Every professional, whether builder, broker, or architect, asks themselves, how do we manage our business in today’s climate? We all strive not just to succeed, but