Celebrating Pioneers in Northeast Ohio's Construction Industry

The construction industry gathered to celebrate Contractor Assistance Association (CAA) 10th anniversary and to recognize the recipients of its Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Awards.

CAA helps to foster relationships and education between minority and majority contractors and owners. Significant contributions toward workforce development are also a major function of the organization to secure sustainable opportunities for future generations.

The celebration, “Embracing Diversity, Enhancing Relationships: Celebrating Pioneers in Northeast Ohio’s Construction Industry,” began with a cocktail reception at the Intercontinental Hotel Ballroom full of diverse professionals excited to recognize the significant strides that CAA and many others have made over the last decade in advancing the lives of minorities, women and the construction industry.

Following the networking reception, the night’s program highlighted advancements to increase and improve inclusion through contracting, education, and employment in Northeast Ohio’s construction industry. 

Among those in attendance included City of Cleveland Mayor, Frank G. Jackson (pictured above with Tim Linville and Glen Shumate from CEA), was the recipient of the Diversity & Inclusion Visionary Award. Mayor Jackson’s was recognized for initiating processes to increase opportunities for Cleveland residents, businesses and minorities have brought about the implementation of new standards for inclusion when building, and numerous other advancements throughout Greater Cleveland.

 

Receiving recognition as Founding CAA members were Terri Sandu, Alfonso Sanchez, Dominic Ozanne, John Todd, and Glen Shumate (not pictured), presented by Hilton Smith. 

 

Union Business Agent Trailblazers recognized were Johnny Horton Jr (Laborers Local 310) and Dwayne Kee (IKORCC) Carpenters, presented by Shakorie Davis.

Recognized as Advancing Diversity Champion Honorees were: Lenora Lockett, Terry Bolden, Norman Edwards, Marsha Mockabee, Jenice Contreras, Steven Sims (pictured above with his RTA colleagues, including newly appointed General Manager, India Birdsong).

Tony Panzica, former CEA Board Chair was recognized with the Construction Diversity Leadership Award presented by Jason Jones, current CEA Board Chair.

The Diversity in Action Award was presented to Richard Mayer, University Hospital (UH) for its Civic Vision 2010 Plan which showcased how construction can be a catalyst for diversity, inclusion, and equity. The plan showed a true commitment to providing unprecedented opportunities for new and emerging minority workers and contractors.

The $1.2 billion construction program was the first plan of it’s kind in the Cleveland area to make substantial commitments to diversity and inclusion, and workforce development, including contributions to the ACE Mentor Program, setting the tone in the healthcare industry for encompassing community benefits in construction plans.

Tari Rivera, President, Regency Construction Services presented the award and spoke first hand of how her firm’s involvement in UH’s Civic Vision 2010 generated business growth and helped her firm and several other CAA firms develop skills to expand their capacity for healthcare construction opportunities.

The final awarded presented of the evening was the Nehemiah Award, presented by past CAA president Ariane Kirkpatrick who passionately recognized the efforts of CEA’s Executive Vice President, Glen Shumate, for his stewardship of CAA’s efforts in growing from its initial two-member core to a vibrant association that now boasts a membership of 36 and ACE Mentor Program which provides career exposure to 180 high school students annually.

Glen is pictured above with former and current CAA Presidents.

Closing remarks from Tim Linville, Esq., Chief Executive Officer of the Construction Employers Association (CEA), boasted that while CEA's and CAA's efforts on behalf of minorities and women have been significant the organization will continue to strive to make equality for all a standard in construction.

Pictured above are two ACE Mentor Cleveland Alumni and Kent State University students, Bakari Ballard and Javon Miller. The 10th Anniversary event also raised funds to assist the educational advanced of young minorities into the construction industry. Contribtions were received from M. Rivera Construction, NorthCoast Concrete, Ozanne Construction, Panzica Construction, Peterson King Construction, Cleveland Building Trades Council, and Fitzgibbons & Arnold Insurance Company.

Tax deductible donations can be made to the CAA Scholarship Fund.

Thank you to the evening’s generous sponsors Donley's, Gilbane (several staff who attended the event are pictured above), CEA, Regency Construction Services, Panzica Construction, AKA Team, AM Higley, Turner Construction, Cleveland Marble Mosaic Company, Norris Brothers, Next Generation Construction, Laborer’s Union Local #310, Precision Environmental, IKORCC, Calfee, Lorain County Community College, and Whiting-Turner Construction.

During the course of the awards presentation, it was evident that the CAA and award honorees have made significant strides towards achieving cultural change in the construction industry. This change, however, as you can see in the immensity of work done between these honorees, does not happen alone. The efforts of owners within the construction community to embrace diversity and inclusion are also a driving force of change.

For more information on CAA click here.