Profile: Mittie Cannon 

Title: Training Manager 

Company/Organization:  BE&K Inc. 

Address:  2000 International Park Dr. Birmingham, Al 35243 

Phone: 205-972-6179 

Favorite Quote:  There is no strength where there is no struggle---Oprah Winfrey.  I heard her say this 23 years ago when I was a teenage girl. 

Job description:  Manage a team of training coordinators who coordinates craft training for employees on the various jobsites. I also manage our secondary and post-seconday partnerships in welding, electrical and carpentry. I serve on various educational committees and work very closely with the Alabama DOE (career tech programs). 

Length of service:  7 years 

Accreditations:  NCCER (Naional Center for Construction Education and Research) 

Favorite Awards & Honors:  ABC Craft Championships 

Education:  Georgia College, Bachelor's; University of Phoenix, Master's; and currently pursuing a doctorate. 

Family: Mr. and Mrs. James Copeland of Baxley, Ga (parents) and three siblings: Cassandra Copeland, Ramel Copeland and Debra Copeland all of Baxley, Ga. 

Personal Business Philosophy:  My personal business philosophy is that one should not fear being a pioneer and traveling a road that has not been traveled. Don't be afraid of standing alone for what you believe in. If it is in your heart and you have a passion that can not be contained, take the journey to success.

Advice to women in business:  Never give up 

Best advice ever received:  Don't bite off no more than you can chew 

Secret to surviving in business:  Having confidence and living one's passion. 

Strongest inspiration:  My belief that one day I will be the link between the construction industry and education. I believe that my passion will someday attract the attention of people like Oprah Winfrey, Diane Sawyer, and many others and that we will launch a campaign to address the shortage of the skill workforce.

Being in business has taught me:  To stand tall and that it is ok to be a sweaky wheel. 

Someone should have told me:  Someone should have told me that attracting the attention of well noted women about opportunities in the construction industry and non-traditional path would be so difficult. One of my personal goals is to spark the interest of women like Oprah and Diane and have them join me with my initiative to educate women about career opportunities in non-traditional programs.

Secret to dealing with employees:  Treating them the way you want to be treated. 

What most people don’t realize about me:   That I don't mind getting dirty and sweaty at work. 

Favorite place or way to relax:  Playing with Savvy (my dog), riding Ellie (horse) and grooming Grace (Philly) 

Favorite restaurant:  Red Lobster 

Special thought: I would like to encourage business/industry to join forces with education and support career technical education programs of Alabama. These programs are being phased out and we are losing programs that bring good things to life. Career tech programs offer benefits that impact our lives everyday and often taken for granted. If we do not protect and suport these programs as a community, who will be there when we need an electrician, plumber, or automotive repairs?