KILLEEN, Texas — 6 News is celebrating Women's History Month by highlighting women in the Central Texas area who are doing the remarkable.
Mikhail Gray is a retired United States Army Combat Veteran with a 25 year service record. She is used to being successful in a male-dominated field so owning a contracting construction company specializing in demolition comes easy.
"When we go to pre construction or pre bid meetings, most of the time I'm the only female and I'm definitely the only black female there," said Mikhail Gray, president and owner of GCS Contracting.
Despite being a women-owned business, Mikhail Gray knows the value she brings to the Central Texas construction market.
"We're a small company so we don't have the overhead that your larger companies would have. So we're able to do quality work at a more economic price," said Mikhail Gray.
Better prices doesn't mean a sacrifice in the quality of work according to Mikhail Gray. 6 News met her on a job site she was under contract for and observed her engagement with her employees.
"Working with the guys. I mean they're so gracious and so humble and they enjoy what they're doing and it works out well," said Mikhail Gray.
Mikhail Gray has three sons and has the pleasure of having one of them work for her.
"You know I learned my leadership from my mom. Growing up I was a quarterback in high school so just off the field my mom was always just coaching me about leadership," said Robert Gray.
Mikhail Gray hopes to inspire the next generation of women in construction.
"You can do it. As you can see that I'm evidence that you can get into construction. You can do whatever you want in the field of construction," said Mikhail Gray.