The National Association of Minority Contractors of Oregon and TriMet hosted an award celebration Nov. 14 to mark the success of TriMet's efforts to involve minority and emerging firms in its major construction projects -- the I-205/Portland Mall MAX Light Rail Project and the Washington County Commuter Rail project. To date, more than $14 million has gone to local DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) firms from these projects.
The party, held at Wilf's restaurant, Union Station, brought together TriMet management, staff from Stacy and Witbeck, the prime contractor on the light rail projects, and representatives of many diverse subcontractors who helped build the light rail.
Fred Hansen, TriMet's general manager and James Posey, president of the National Association of Minority Contractors of Oregon, hosted the event.
Pictured from left are: John Bollier, vice president of prime contracting firm, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., Ron Wells, the firm's president; Bill Bruce manager of the Portland Mall Project; James Posey; Oregon president of the National Association of Minority Contractors; and TriMet's general manager, Fred Hansen
From left, Jean Wildy-Malary, of Affordable Electric and TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen.
Left to Right: John Bollier, vice president of prime contracting firm, Stacy and Witbeck, Inc.; Amber Ontiveros, TriMet's special project's manager; Faye Burch, Oregon vice president of the National Association of Minority Contractors and James Posey, Oregon president of the National Association of Minority Contractors.
Gale Schmidt, owner of A2 Fabrication, shakes hands with TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen.
From left, Michael Martin of N.W. Infrastracture LLC and TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen.
A diverse crowd of contractors turned out to celebrate minority participation in TriMet's light rail construction projects.
Special recognition was given to the projects general contractor Stacy and Witbeck, Inc., who have continued to expand opportunities and mentor minority firms and workers, and lead to new scopes of work.
The federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprises program is designed to create opportunities for minorities, women and other disadvantaged groups working in construction.
