As part of Women in Construction Week, we sat down with Granger’s Director of VDC Services, Darrah Dutton, to talk about her path in the industry. Below are the questions we asked and her insights on her construction journey.
Q: Can you share the story of your journey to Granger and how your experience has shaped your role here?
I joined Granger in December 2018 and moved up from southern Ohio for this position. At the time, I was juggling several roles: working with my dad on residential remodeling, helping another small contractor with commercial work, and supporting a startup specializing in 4D scheduling. I had also completed training in basic scheduling, SketchUp and Revit through Columbus Community College.
Even though I stayed busy, I wanted something steady. Construction had always been “it” for me, so I kept looking for opportunities. When I saw a BIM Coordinator opening in Novi, I thought it could be a good fit. I applied and had an interview with the Granger team, and everything clicked. That December, I officially became part of the Granger family.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in Virtual Design & Construction?
I grew up in a construction family. My dad retired from the Carpenters Union after a long career as a commercial superintendent, and he built every house I lived in. I followed him around job sites as a kid and loved the environment from the very beginning. My grandfather was also deeply involved in woodworking. My brother is in the industry. Building is just part of who we are.
I’ve always been a visual and artistic person. My high school offered mechanical drafting all four years, so I jumped into that, alongside art classes. That combination of creativity and technical work lit the spark for VDC.
When I worked for a scheduling startup, I learned how truly powerful visuals can be in construction planning, and it felt natural. The woman who owned the startup company I worked for could schedule like nobody’s business. Her schedules were so specific, down to the tiniest detail; it was amazing. When she identified a need for another person to work on those schedules, she asked me to step up, training me in Primavera P6 and Synchro 4D.
Creating digital models that help teams “see” the work before it’s built has always been one of my biggest strengths, and one of my favorite parts of the job.
Q: Reflecting on your career so far, what accomplishment are you most proud of, and why?
There are several moments that stand out, but the MSU STEM project was a turning point. I had never done BIM coordination before coming to Granger. Ian Clutten, Greg Brand and Rob Train brought me into an office one day and basically said, “We need someone to do BIM coordination — you’re up.” I had no idea what I was walking into, but I dove in.
The project team was amazing, comprised of Marc Arthur, Jason Sattler, Bill Bofysil and Nate Massa, and the old power plant portion of the building aligned perfectly with my background. After that project, Superintendent Marc Arthur specifically requested me for his next job. As a young woman who was new to the company, that recognition meant a lot.
I’m also proud of my growth at Granger—from VDC Coordinator, to Manager, to Senior Manager, and now Director of the department. Granger consistently recognized my potential, invested in my development, and trusted me with increasing responsibility at every stage.
I was nervous to share in my interview that I have dyslexia, but Granger saw it as a strength. I’m a visual builder, just like my dad and twin brother. It’s how I process the world, and it’s a huge part of why I have succeeded in this field.
The support I’ve received here has been incredible. Every idea I’ve brought forward has been met with openness and trust. That’s rare, and I don’t take it for granted.
I am also really proud of being on the Autodesk 40 Under 40: Champions of Construction 2021, and being highlighted by Autodesk for our work on the Caro Psychiatric Hospital.
Q: How have diverse perspectives shaped the advancement of our tech capabilities at Granger? How has AI influenced your work?
Our work touches many departments; operations, estimating, marketing and the broader preconstruction team. That collaboration has been crucial to the growth of VDC at Granger.
Within our own team, diversity is our superpower. We’re successful because we all come from different backgrounds and bring different perspectives. If everyone had the same experience, we’d never innovate the way we do.
AI helps streamline repetitive tasks, support data‑driven decision‑making, and enhance our ability to forecast and plan. The goal is not to replace expertise but to amplify it—freeing our teams to focus on higher‑value work. As we continue implementing new tools, we’re committed to bringing forward solutions that support teams in practical, meaningful ways.
Some of our team members are already working on automation and AI integrations that will improve how our software communicates and how we leverage data. The potential is huge, and we’re just scratching the surface.
Q: What do you believe are the most important factors for success in the construction industry today? Who or what motivates you?
Hard work, moral compass and the willingness to dig in, even when it’s not easy. There will always be long days or early mornings, and you can’t cut corners when you’re trying to truly understand something. Granger leadership recognizes that effort, and it matters.
My biggest motivations are my family, my husband and my son, and wanting to build a future for them that I’m proud of. My husband and I both work in construction, and I’m inspired by the example we’re setting for our son: that persistence, curiosity and integrity can take you far. They remind me why I push myself to keep growing and why I care so deeply about building opportunities for our team.
Professionally, I’m motivated every day by my team and by the responsibility I have to put the right people in the right positions. Their success matters to me. The success of the whole company matters to me. Granger gave me a real shot and they’ve continued to support me every step of the way. That kind of trust and investment makes you committed for the long haul.
Honestly, if you told my high school or college self that I’d be doing what I’m doing now, I would have been shocked. Navigating dyslexia, being a woman in construction, and facing those challenges, it hasn’t always been easy. But I’ve never let those challenges define my limits.
Q: What advice would you give to women interested in pursuing technical or digital-focused roles in construction?
Give it a try. Don’t count yourself out.
When I speak to students, I’m honest: if you want someone to push college, that’s not me. College works wonderfully for so many people and in many professions — and we have incredible team members with higher education and degrees — but it wasn’t the path that fit me. I always encourage young people to get hands‑on experience: internships, shadowing, field work or apprenticeship.
Construction teaches you by doing. You can’t earn a degree in VDC. At most, students get one semester of BIM basics, and that barely scratches the surface. We teach those real‑world skills here. Experience is what builds confidence and a strong work ethic.
Construction does require thick skin, especially as a woman, but respect comes quickly when you work hard, communicate clearly and show you’re invested. Once you earn that trust, people in this industry will advocate for you fiercely. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t trade this career for anything. I love being in the field, walking job sites, seeing something tangible take shape. Even now, in a director role, getting out to the jobs is still one of my favorite parts of the work.
Construction is exciting, challenging and incredibly rewarding. There’s plenty of room for women to thrive in every part of it.
