Nearly 300 people turned out for the inaugural Small Business Construction Expo on March 22.


business resource centers, engineering, law, bonding and other entities to share best practices and industry knowledge. Angel Cardoz, director of the San Francisco Small Business Development Center, moderated this afternoon session entitled “Small Business Toolbox: Tips and Resources to Help Grow Your Business.” Miguel Galarza, president of Yerba


Buena Engineering & Construction and the AGC National Diversity & Inclusion Contractor of the Year in 2018, shared how he got his foot in the door with his first government contract just two weeks after opening his business in 2002. “I had already been in the industry


for 15 years, and your reputation will follow you,” Galarza noted. “Te owner said I remember you as a project manager – you always did a good job. Let me give you this opportunity.” Providing those types of oppor- tunities – as well as programs and


services designed to help small businesses gain a foothold in the industry – is a goal of many agencies as well as affiliated firms that serve small construction business clients. Berna- dette Reagan, director of community and client relations with Merriwether & Williams Insurance Services, described how her company has helped small and minority contractors obtain over $980 million in bonding over the years, with just two defaults


(or one-tenth of one percent, as she proudly points out). “Te work we do is designed to help contractors get bonding, but also to help them develop capacity,” she said. In addition to AGC of California,


the first annual Small Business Construction Expo was co-hosted by BART, Caltrans, the City and County of San Francisco, CPM Logistics, the Department of General Services and the Port of Oakland. 


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No job is too difficult or deep – and we won’t stop until it’s done right. (+1) 800-441-3483 | info@gdiving.com | www.gdiving.com AGC of California CEO Peter Tateishi www.AGC-CA.org MARINE CONSTRUCTION | COMMERCIAL DIVING | MARINE CASUALTY RESPONSE | ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES Associated General Contractors of California 9


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