In the asphalt world, where timing, precision and teamwork decide the success of a job, Anne Chevalier is the person everyone counts on. As the lead CDL driver for Rainier Asphalt & Concrete, she’s known for seeing three steps ahead, keeping crews moving and stepping in wherever she’s needed — on the road or on the ground. That kind of work ethic and influence earned her recognition as one of our 2025 PACER Award winners in the Women in Construction category.
Chevalier has spent nearly 12 years with Rainier, shaping not only how work gets done on the ground but how new drivers enter the field. She trains every CDL driver who joins the company, mentors crews, anticipates needs before they arise and sets a tone of safety, efficiency and shared responsibility. It’s a leadership style rooted not in title, but in action. Her peers have taken notice. Chevalier has won Rainier’s “Most Inspirational” award every year since it was created — a recognition voted on by roughly 60 coworkers.
A Career That Came Full Circle
Chevalier may not have expected to build a long-term career in asphalt, but she did grow up in a family of truck drivers. With her father, brothers and brother-in-law all drivers, she spent the bulk of her childhood riding along and studying how they handled equipment. “I was always amazed at how they could operate equipment,” she said. “Now I’m the one driving the truck, loading equipment and training the new guys coming in. It’s come full circle.”
Before joining Rainier, she earned her CDL in 2002 and used it to first drive a school bus. It wasn’t until CEO Tom Merry walked into the bus barn recruiting summer help that her path shifted.
“I was so excited that I could be driving a truck,” she said. “I came from a truck-driving family. It felt right.”
That chance encounter became a new chapter — one that carried her from a seasonal role to one of the company’s most trusted leaders.
Leadership Built on Action
Chevalier’s leadership is grounded in her willingness to step in wherever she’s needed. Her days often involve hauling heavy equipment like milling machines, helping crews in the field or pitching in with sweeping and cleanup. She is constantly scanning ahead on a jobsite, anticipating needs and easing the load on foremen so work moves safely and efficiently.
“I’ve excelled because I look forward,” she said. “I keep an eye open to see what needs to happen to make the job run efficiently.”
Training has become one of her most influential roles. She teaches new drivers how to operate trucks and load equipment, but also how to approach the work with awareness, patience and respect for its risks. Her emphasis on safety comes directly from years spent watching her father and brothers work — and from understanding how much responsibility sits behind the wheel of a 10-yard dump truck and trailer.
Thriving in a Male-Dominated Environment
Chevalier has spent more than a decade in asphalt, and while the industry remains male-dominated, she notes that she’s never had an issue feeling accepted. From the start, crews embraced her as she a willingness to work hard and lend a hand where needed. She believes that remains true for women entering the field today: the expectations are the same for everyone, and opportunity follows those who meet them.
“You come onto a job and everyone is already busy. But these people want to teach you. They want to pass this art down.”
A few years ago, Chevalier was part of Rainier’s first all-female crew — a moment that she sees not as a milestone for herself, but as a sign of where the industry is heading.
Pride in the Work
Despite the long days and physical demands, Chevalier still finds joy in the craft of asphalt. She appreciates the problem-solving involved in navigating grades, equipment and project constraints, and she still enjoys the moment when a fresh mat of asphalt is laid — a clean result that reflects hours of coordination and teamwork.
She describes the work as both challenging and deeply rewarding — a blend of problem-solving, craftsmanship and camaraderie that keeps her coming back day after day.
Her biggest surprise from this career? How much she would enjoy being part of a crew.
“Working with men and being on a crew with them is not only possible, it’s truly a fun and supportive environment,” she said. “We learn from each other. We really are like a big family.”
Encouraging the Next Generation
With construction facing labor shortages nationwide, Chevalier wants young people — especially women — to know there’s plenty of room and real opportunity in the trades.
“Come in with an open, learning mind,” she said. “Ask questions. Take it all in. And if you’re standing around, you’re doing something wrong. There’s always somewhere to help.”
She hopes sharing her story encourages others to consider an industry filled with opportunity, stability and pride.
“This is such a great industry,” she said. “There are so many opportunities for both men and women. It’s fulfilling and, in my opinion, just awesome.”
For Chevalier, being “Face of the Industry” doesn’t mean being the loudest voice — it means showing up, working hard and lifting others as she goes. And in an industry built on grit and teamwork, that’s exactly the kind of leadership that lasts.