Breaking Industry Barriers
more well-rounded we become. This gives us different perspectives, the ability to collaborate and overall to be a more cohesive business unit.”
Niese sees endless opportunities for women in the crane and rigging field.
“ As the demand for skilled operators, technicians and business leaders continues to increase, we will continue to see more women fill these roles,” Niese explained.“ Today, there are more resources available to help women succeed. All individuals need to use the resources available to them— hands on training, education, internships, etc.— to continue to develop themselves both personally and professionally.”
She believes that in an organization, it’ s vital to treat all employees with the same level of respect, fairnes and equality.
“ An organization is only as good as its employees,” she concluded.
Tawnia Weiss
Co-Founder and President of A1A Software. LLC, Tawnia Weiss, has been in the crane industry for 26 years, starting
as salesperson for Compu-Crane before co-founding A1A Software in 2006 with her husband Brad. A1A Software develops specialized software solutions for the crane, rigging and heavy lifting industries with a focus on safety, efficiency and smart business management.
“ It’ s been an incredible journey— from hands-on sales to leading a company that develops industry-leading tools like 3D lift plan and the A1A product suite,” Weiss recalled.“ When I entered the crane industry, technology was still very new and largely unfamiliar to most professionals in the field. There was a real learning curve— not just for me, but for the entire industry— around how to effectively use, implement and trust digital tools in lift planning, rigging and operations.”
Through persistence, hands-on education and a focus on practical innovation,
Weiss overcame these challenges, turning early skepticism into widespread adoption for the industry. Back then, however, there really weren’ t a lot of women in the field, even less than there are now.
“ More and more women are joining the field, getting certified, such as through NCCCO, stepping into hands-on roles as operators and riggers and moving up into leadership positions,” she stated.“ It’ s been incredible to see this growth and the real contributions women are making every day. What stands out to me most is how hard our industry works to bring everyone in— no matter their background.”
“ Companies, associations like SC & RA and training programs are putting real effort into outreach, mentorship and creating welcoming environments,” Weiss continued.“ Challenges still exist, of course— things like balancing demanding schedules or navigating a field that’ s physically intensive— but the progress is clear, and the supportive culture makes a huge difference in helping women succeed and thrive.”
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www. cranehotline. com • March 2026 15