Meet Marsheia Smith | COO/Partner of CMK Contracting

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marsheia Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marsheia, what inspires you?
I am inspired by impacting the lives of others to have the best experience while in this lifetime.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Entrepreneur in Construction Management and Government Contracting. What sets me apart from others is that I not only worked on the private sector in the construction industry, but I have actually worked on the public sector as a Contract manager responsible for the bidding process along with a Project Manager for several Capital Improvement Programs within the municipalities in the State of Georgia. With my wide-range of experience for over 15 years in the industry. I am more than equipped for any large construction management project.

It all started when I decided to pursue my career in Construction Management at Kennesaw State University (formerly known as Southern Polytechnic University). During my time at Kennesaw State, I was able to work for a civil engineering firm called Estes Shields Engineering (ESE) on several commercial and residential million-dollar projects in land development, permitting and construction. After graduating, I was able to work for ESE as a permanent employee and continued to work on projects such as Tyler Perry Studios, the Aquarium Hilton Garden Inn, Browns Mills Senior Living Facilities, and many more residential and commercial projects. I worked with Estes Shield Engineering until I was laid off during the recession in 2007/2008.

The saying is “when one door closes, then another door opens.”

My first lay off opened the door for a long-lasting career in commercial government/federal construction management. I landed the opportunity to work for MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) as both a Contract Manager and Project Manager for their capital improvement program that manages $200 million dollars and more yearly. I worked for MARTA for nine years managing projects over $80 million until 2017.

I loved my time at MARTA and my MARTA family; however, my dream was more like my uncles and cousin. Not to have a normal 9:00 am to 5:00 pm career staying with a company for 20 to 30 years and retire. My dream was to be as successful as my uncle and cousin and obtain more knowledge in the construction industry.

To do that, I knew I needed to obtain more experience and explore other opportunities, and that is exactly what I did.

I was granted the opportunity to work as a Project Manager for Hartsfield Jackson International Airport working on their $6 billion Capital Improvement Program.

But I did not stop there, I wanted to lead my future company to be the best in the construction industry. I needed to know every aspect in the construction industry, so I went on to work as a Project Manager for Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) to their Program Management department working on several roadway construction projects.

But when will I pursue this dream company? When will you start?

There were reservations about stepping outside of my comfort zone. I was good at what I did and several opportunities to work with different firms will continue open. I could continue to accept, or I can step out on faith and just DO IT!

I received a Director of Technical Service position back working at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport.

I figured not too many young black women that looked like me would receive this position being able to work directly with top Airlines such as Delta & Southwest on projects within the $6 billion Capital Improvement Program.

This is success that only some would only dream of.

So, I took the position, and I enjoyed it! Then the pandemic hit….

The Airlines of course was hit the hardest and I was laid off. Again…

At the time, I was in complete shock, sadness and uncertain of the future as the rest of the world.

I was left to ask myself yet again, “When will I pursue this dream company??”

Well, the time was Now!

After meeting with my uncle and cousin was no doubt in my mind that God had already had a plan for me to take CMK Contracting to the next level.

In 2020, during the pandemic I decided to take the lead, taking CMK into the future revitalizing infrastructure and construction management ventures.

Me, the next generation would bring my uncle’s Lowell Dickerson’s vision to fruition.

With my experience in Construction, Land Development, Transit, Aviation, and Roadway Transportation.

I am more than equipped to lead CMK in the direction of success as partner of CMK Contracting.

I honestly overcame the challenges by knowing that my purpose in life is in divine order and that I was destined to be in a position to lead and help others.

I understood that I was always destined for more and greatness even if I did not feel great some days. My higher self knew the assignment and the ego would need to leave and allow me to pursue my dreams.

I would like the world to know that CMK is a company that not only believe in building quality service, but we believe in serving the community by empowering people to be the highest version of themselves.

We are a company with a purpose to serve. This is why I have platforms for young women in male dominated fields called AlltogetHERS. I also have The Queenship Circle which is a specific program for a sacred place for women to heal and become the highest version of themselves. We partner directly with Empower U sponsored by our Family business CMK. The goal of EmpowerU is to serve the community by providing tools and techniques to become the highest version of themselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well Well Well! Everything in ATLANTA is great! Atlanta is such an amazing and evolving city. But I would give my itinerary of my City:

Well during the week, I would start with breakfast at Thumbs Up for sure or Le Petit Marche ! Hands down my favorite breakfast spots. During the weekend there are several brunch places around the city but I personally love Milk & Honey, and Botica.

Definitely have dinner on the Chattahoochee River at either Rays on the River or Canoe. You will not regret it.

Eat dinner in Buckhead at my favorite places The Betty in the Kimpton Hotel and have cocktails on the roof top or in The Shops of Buckhead at Le Colonial.

Visit the Civil Rights Museum, World of Coca-Cola and Martin Luther King burial site and childhood home and church.

Visit and Hike Stone Mountain Park and visit Roswell Mill Waterfalls and Cascade Reserve Waterfalls.

And check out amazing views of the ATL skyline at Ponce City Market and play games family oriented. Or something a little upscale try the Glenn Hotel, or Sundial.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank my cousin and business partner Corey Dutch Jr. for his continuous support and motivation as a business partner to take on opportunities that I would not have taken on. To be a voice of reasoning when needed and always believing in me.

Website: https://cmkcontracting.com/

Instagram: cmk.construction

Image Credits
Fatimamichon