Kelly Kertz
Drywall Finisher, IUPAT

Kelly Kertz’s journey in the trades began not with a blueprint or a formal plan, but with recognition of her work ethic. In May 2021, while helping on a residential side project, her dedication caught the eye of a master carpenter. Impressed, he offered her a position as a drywall finisher, a role Kelly embraced with enthusiasm, seeing it as an opportunity for professional growth and stability. Since that moment, she has built a versatile career spanning residential homes and large-scale commercial projects, including hotels and apartment complexes, all while proudly representing the union as an IUPAT member. 

Kelly’s commitment to craftsmanship is evident in her achievements. After completing a rigorous four-year apprenticeship, she earned her Journeyman status, a milestone that reflects both skill and perseverance. Her expertise has been recognized nationally—she was hand-selected by her training center to represent the trade at a National Drywall Expo in North Carolina, where she collaborated with elite finishers to demonstrate professional taping techniques. For Kelly, these accomplishments are more than accolades; they are validation of her dedication and a testament to what focused determination can achieve in a field historically dominated by men. At last year’s BUILD25, Kelly showed everyone on the floor how to use stilts properly and with confidence.  

Looking ahead, Kelly is excited by the evolving landscape of the wall and ceiling industry. She is particularly passionate about innovative architectural designs, advanced tooling that reduces physical strain, and eco-friendly building materials that promote sustainability. She sees the industry becoming increasingly professionalized, with a cultural shift toward pride in workmanship, enhanced by social media and digital workflow tools that streamline job tracking.

Kelly also takes pride in the growing inclusivity of the trades. The presence of women on job sites not only provides essential representation but inspires the next generation to see the trades as both viable and rewarding careers. Personally, she thrives on the variety of working at different sites, collaborating with new teams, and mastering a craft that demands precision and resilience. 

Her journey is also deeply personal. Before entering the trades, Kelly lived paycheck to paycheck. Today, she is a homeowner, financially stable, and empowered by skills that can sustain her family anywhere in the world. For Kelly, the drywall industry is more than a career, it’s a path to independence, self-confidence, and professional pride. 

Kelly Kertz is not just shaping walls; she’s shaping the future of the trades, one expertly finished joint at a time.

Main Article