The largest professional organization for construction firms in New Hampshire will be led by a woman for the first time in its history. 

Natasha Michelson, human resources administrator for Hutter Construction, was named the 2021 president of Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire at the group’s Dec. 15 meeting. 

Michelson hopes to make strides towards bringing more women into the construction industry during her presidency by promoting career opportunities to young people, particularly girls.  

Women make up between 2 percent and 3 percent of skilled tradespeople and 10 percent of workers in the construction industry nationally, according to federal statistics. The construction industry is also facing a worker shortage as the number of new workers entering the industry is not keeping pace with the number of older workers who retire.