Building Vision

Growing up in Brazil, a country with plentiful architectural diversity, ALANA DOS SANTOS knew she wanted a career that would allow her to express her creativity.   

“I always liked art and enjoyed creating new things,” she says. Today her creativity that once lived on paper helps shape schools, fire stations, medical facilities, multi-family developments, 

 and senior community centers. Dos Santos is a preconstruction manager for Monteith Construction Corporation. “I’ve tied my creative side to buildings, floor plans and renderings,” she says.  

At age twelve, Dos Santos immigrated with her mother and brother to Fitchburg, Mass., where her grandfather had previously worked in plastics factories. It had taken her grandfather twelve 

years to complete the immigration process paperwork and secure an interview for their move. “I would not be where I am without my grandparents and their sacrifice before I was born,” she says. “I am extremely grateful for them.” A compassionate landlord allowed them to stay rent-free in a tiny studio – with a hallway bathroom – until her mother and brother found work.  

Fluent in Portuguese, a skill she preserves today, Dos Santos learned English, adapted to the new culture and eventually enrolled in a vocational high school to explore skilled trades. After graduation, Dos Santos attended Fitchburg State University to study architectural engineering, becoming the first in her family to pursue higher level education. 

The family tired of northern winters, and for the first time in their lives chose where they wanted to live. “It was spring break. We came to Wilmington and fell in love with the town,” says Dos Santos. “It is a small big city with beautiful buildings and the beach. Even the bridge reminded us of our island in Brazil where we lived.”  

After relocating, Dos Santos learned that her prior college credits wouldn’t transfer and took a year off before applying to Cape Fear Community College’s dentistry program. She wasn’t accepted, but fate intervened. She eventually entered the construction management program at CFCC, earning her associate degree as only the second woman to graduate from the program. She launched her career with Bordeaux Construction Company, Inc. 

“Working for Bordeaux was a great experience,” she says of her three years there. “I saw the business development side of construction while I worked on the new build of Porters Neck Elementary School.” 

Seven years ago, Dos Santos joined Monteith Construction Corporation as a project manager before moving into her current role as a preconstruction manager. “I have constructed buildings that are truly defining people’s lives. And that is both awesome and impactful,” she says. Among her many successful projects are the construction of Wrightsville and Blair elementary schools, and renovations to New Hanover High School’s George West Building, Noble Middle School, Lincoln Elementary School, and South Brunswick High School. 

Although she enjoyed field work, life changed last year when she and her husband, JAVIER DOS SANTOS, a master technician at Audi Cape Fear, welcomed their son DAVI. “There were long hours in the field, weekends and holidays and an unpredictable schedule,” she says. When she received an unexpected call from one of her prior Monteith managers offering her a spot on the preconstruction team, she quickly accepted. “God was watching over me,” she says. “The offer was a more family-friendly office position with flexibility to work from home.”  

The move opened up a new side of the construction industry. “I am involved in logistics, the sequence of construction and collaboration with the design team,” she says. “I help with equipment and finish selections, balancing costs, durability and maintenance. It has been a very good transition.” 

In recent years, her work has expanded into the EMS sector. “I have gained a new respect for firefighters,” she says after working on the Jacksonville Fire Department’s station. “The building becomes their home away from home. They sacrifice a lot to help others in crisis.” 

For Dos Santos, the greatest reward comes at the end of every project – attending a grand opening of a building. “People get to experience what we built,” she says. “Giving it your all and in the end waiting with anticipation to see how excited and happy everyone is to move in – that’s a very gratifying experience.” 

Dos Santos credits several mentors with shaping her career, among them, a foresightful teacher in Brazil who paid for her introduction to computers at age eight, and CHARLES BONEY, vice president and principal of LS3P. “He shared an interesting perspective with me on careers in architecture and construction management at a critical time in my career decision. He was very influential on my choice,” she says.  

Dos Santos is Monteith’s second female project manager and the only female preconstruction manager. “The company is very inclusive of females and people of different backgrounds,” she says. Monteith has since continued to expand opportunities for women as project engineers and assistant superintendents.  

Aligned with Monteith’s support of community volunteerism, Dos Santos speaks to students in CFCC’s construction management program and mentors young girls at GLOW Academy, introducing them to career opportunities in construction. “Through presentations and mentorship, I share real-world insights and help students understand the range of career paths available within construction,” she says.  

As part of GLOW’s partnership with Cape Fear CREW, Dos Santos takes girls on tours. “I show them life in the construction industry,” she says. “It’s so much more than a hammer.” 

To view more of photographer Madeline Gray’s work, go to madelinegrayphoto.com.

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