Angela Simon, president of the Menlo Park-based Western Allied Mechanical, a heating and air conditioning contractor, has been named the first female vice president of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association.

She was awarded the association's 2016 "Contractor of the Year" award, partly because of her efforts as a mentor for young workers, according to an announcement from the association.

Ms. Simon previously served as co-chair of the association's "Women in Construction Leadership Council."

"The culture of the construction industry has changed a lot in 30 years, but it's changing slower for sheet metal than it should," she said in a statement. "We have to get it out front. We have to promote the opportunities for women. We have to talk about it, or it won't happen."

The association is an international trade association representing 3,500 contributing contractor firms.

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