DIVERSITY & INCLUSION


“We believe that having the voices of all Californians at the table is vital to the success of building a more resilient state. Each day, we strive to strengthen our industry through diversity and inclusion efforts - like the launch of this Diversity & Inclusion Task Force - on jobsites, in offices, and throughout our communities.” - Peter Tateishi, CEO, AGC


“Tis initiative is important for


AGC to take on because it shows top-down support for diversity, equity, and inclusion work across businesses and the industry at large,” said Mike Blach, President, AGC and Chairman of Blach Construction. “Tis unified focus on progress toward a more equitable and inclusive industry is long past due and will make a lasting impact that will strengthen the industry.” California Constructor talked with


several members of the new Task Force to find out why it was important to them to participate, what they hope to accomplish through it and how it connects with the work they are doing at their own companies. Task Force member Henry Nutt


III, preconstruction executive for Southland Industries, has an extensive background in the industry, having spent 32 years as a union sheet metal worker including 13 years as general superintendent before moving up the leadership ranks at Southland. He is 2020 Chair and a four-year member of AGC of America’s national Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, which has worked to develop initia- tives to support, educate and promote a diverse and inclusive culture for AGC member companies nationwide. Sean Anderson, President and


CEO of Stoer Construction, has enjoyed leading teams and major projects in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area for over 20 years. Since co-founding Stoer six years ago, he has built a highly diverse company that


www.AGC-CA.org


cares deeply about inclusion. Kayla Montgomery is Diversity and Inclusion Specialist with PCL Construction, leading the company’s community outreach, subcontractor relationships, workforce development and small business development efforts. Active in several industry groups, she also is passionate about inclusion and equity. Tey shared their perspectives on


the new AGC Diversity & Inclusion Task Force and how they hope to help move the needle on diversity, inclusion and equity in the construction industry.


California Constructor: Why was it important to you to participate in AGC of California’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force?


Sean Anderson: Our company has been around for six years and we’ve always had a very diverse group of individuals here. But recently in developing our leadership team I started looking at the difference between being diverse, and being inclusionary. I think the construction industry as a whole is very diverse, especially if you see the people performing the work on the construction site. But I don’t know that it’s very inclusionary. Being the only


Sean Anderson white male on the


entire task force, my eyes and ears are wide open and listening. Tese (fellow task force members) are leaders


that have experiences and a wealth of knowledge for someone like me to actually make a difference with my own company.


Henry Nutt III: I’ve been involved at the national level (of AGC) for about four years on the Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, and I’m very excited about being a part of this dynamic group in California. It is definitely the right time now to step up and be on the right side of history. Working with all these dynamic men and women who are so intelligent and thoroughly versed in diversity and inclusion issues and policy, it forces you to step up your own game. We bounce all our ideas off each other. I’m really excited about what we’re going to accomplish.


Henry Nutt III


Kayla Montgomery: When I got the call to consider being part of the Task Force it was a no brainer. Ultimately, all organizations are based on the people that are in them. When we have an opportunity to really look at how we are including those employees in our processes and proce- dures and making sure everyone feels they have a seat at the table so we are able to maximize their impact to our organi- zation, that’s where we create the magic and the most winning opportunity. At the end of the day, if people feel included, I think they work smarter, they work safer, they are more efficient and more innovative.


Kayla Montgomery


California Constructor: What do you hope the Task Force will accom- plish in the coming months?


Continued on page 12 Associated General Contractors of California 11


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