Stephanie J. Hickman

After 25-years as a labor attorney, utility executive with Exelon Corporation and lobbyist, Stephanie Hickman left Corporate America in 2006 to acquire the construction company her family started in 1967. Since the acquisition, she has led its transformation from a small residential construction company to an award-winning, utility infrastructure and commercial concrete contractor serving Fortune 500 corporations, top 100 general and infrastructure contractors and major public entities. Hickman has combined her leadership skills with a team of seasoned operations professionals to position the company for continued exponential growth and success.

Hickman’s leadership acumen is illustrated by Trice’s accomplishments, including becoming the first African American woman-owned construction firm awarded prime contracts on Exelon/ComEd projects, multi-year contracts with Nicor Gas and Peoples Gas and prime contracts for the Chicago Department of Transportation.

Her company has earned numerous awards and was ranked number 32 out of 100 on the Fortune Magazine and Inner City 100 list of the fastest growing businesses in 2020.  Additional awards include: 2018 Women’s Business Enterprise of the year for the Women’s Business Development Center; 2017 Construction Firm of the Year from the U. S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency; and the 2017 Urban Impact Award from the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, both national awards.  Trice was also named a 2015 Chicago MSDC Supplier of the Year and 2014 Outstanding Minority Contractor of the Year from the Chicago Department of Transportation. It also received the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year from the US Small Business Administration. The firm has also been recognized by its peers in receiving the March of Dimes Construction and Transportation Group Subcontractor of the Year Award.

Ms. Hickman holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi and a business degree from Eastern New Mexico University. She also completed the Management Program for Executives at the Katz School at the University of Pittsburgh. Hickman is a member of Chicago’s Business Leadership Council and the board of directors for the Glenwood Academy and Ignite, both non-profit organizations providing support to Chicago’s youth. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Museum of Science and Industry and is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago and The Chicago Network.  In 2012, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed Hickman to the Affirmative Action Advisory Board for the City’s Department of Procurement Services. She is also an Ambassador and Advisory Committee member for the Women’s Business Development Center in Chicago.  Hickman serves on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce and Chairs the Energy Committee.  She also served on the national Boards of Directors of the American Association of Blacks in Energy and Women Construction Owners and Executives.  Hickman, an active mentor and sought-after speaker, was selected in 2019 as a Chicago United Business Leader of Color and is a 2006 Fellow of Leadership Greater Chicago and a Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.    She enjoys working with other minority businesses in the early stages of their development. She believes it to be an ongoing responsibility to pay it forward.