Author:
William Charles Limited
Date posted:
12/7/2009
William Charles Construction co-sponsored the fourth annual DBE Business Meeting and Networking Session for contractors, subcontractors, minority and women owned businesses in mid-November. Other event co-sponsors were Civil Constructors and Rock Road. A good turnout and better feeling about the upcoming economy could be felt in the room.
Speakers included Pat Zuroske and Ron Moore from the City of Rockford. Zuroske reviewed the City’s 2010-2014 capital plan. He used the word “transformational” to describe upcoming projects. Moore, who provides support to minority and women owned businesses, stated that there will be opportunities in the next few years. “My role is to encourage increased participation by women and minority owned businesses in city work,” stated Moore. “Get organized now to be ready when the economy turns around.”
Carl Towns, our local member of the Illinois Tollway Board of Directors, highlighted work on I-90 which is on schedule and within budget. With an average DBE participation of 21%, Towns said he is proud of the way general contractors, especially William Charles Construction, work with minority and women owned businesses on Tollway work in the Rockford area.
Paul Kovacs, Chief Engineer for the Tollway, reported that 75% of its congestion relief program projects are complete. Faster, safer and more efficient are the words he used to describe improvements. Unfortunately, work in our region is almost complete and there are few new programs planned.
Others addressing the group included Stephanie Stephens who spoke on the Tollway’s Earned Credit Program; Fred Marruffo from IDOT; and John DiGiacomo from Rock Valleys’ Procurement Assistance Center. Beccy Seaton, owner of R.A. Seaton Contractor Services, ended the program with her personal discussion abut being a woman owned business.
Thanks to Marsha Sederstrom and Julie Amans for organizing this effort. It really helps to keep lines of communication open. This meeting goes a long way in doing just that.