INVESTING IN THE FUTURE WORKFORCE


families that are third generation (employees),” Cowan said. Investing in education and training “has always been in the forefront of our company values,” he added. Although he himself was never able to find the time to pursue higher education beyond high school — “something I always wished I could have done,” he said — he is a firm believer in the value of both education and hard work. “If you take the opportunities that


are in front of you and get a good education and apply yourself and really work hard, work smart, and learn from the mistakes that we all inevitably make, the sky is the limit in America,” Cowan said. “Tat’s what I’m really most passionate about.”


“If you take the


opportunities that are in front of you and get a good education and apply yourself and really work hard, work smart, and learn from the mistakes that we all inevitably make, the sky is the limit in America.” – Bob Cowan


Investing in the Future Workforce


In 2018 under Cowan’s leadership


Marina Landscape, Inc. established a CEF endowment account, creating the annual Marina Landscape, Inc. Scholarship. Last year, to mark their half-century in business, instead of an expensive party the company sponsored an endowment with SCCA


www.AGC-CA.org


Marina Landscape, Inc. provided landscape services for Sofi Stadium in Inglewood, home to the Los Angeles Rams. The stadium officially opened in fall of 2020.


to help fund a program that supports contractors hiring student interns. In 2020-2021, Cowan also committed a substantial annual sponsorship to CEF, supporting all AGC workforce devel- opment programs. Cowan is beginning to see his


investment in these training and education initiatives pay off through the work of groups like AGC’s Build California, which is gaining ground in its efforts to reset the narrative about construction careers and draw more young people into the construction workforce pipeline. “AGC and CEF have done a great


job with Build California, which is really addressing the next generation of craft workers in high school,” Cowan said. “It is painting a picture of our industry as a viable industry to work in. You can go out there and get your hands dirty and make a good living, and you really are giving back to society by building our infrastructure.”


Bullish on the Future As Marina Landscape, Inc.


continues to grow in its 51st year in


business, Cowan said he is proud of the firm’s reputation for quality work, its safety record and its proven ability to deliver. “We have never failed to perform a job, never had a bond claim on a job, and never failed to finish a job


in 50 years in business,” he said. Te company currently operates


four branches in California that perform landscape, irrigation, erosion control and design-build projects for union contractors. “We are grateful to be able to work for some of the best union GC’s in the industry and for the opportunity they give us to be successful,” he added. Despite some difficult times during


the pandemic – including sadly losing a long-term Marina Landscape, Inc. employee to COVID – Cowan is currently bullish about the future. “We are proud to be part of this


industry and proud to be part of the AGC,” he said. “I think the industry is in a great place, and the economy is in a good place. We see the bidding schedule is very strong and there’s a lot of opportunity ahead of us,” he added, pointing out that work associated with the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles is currently generating plenty of work that they are pursuing. As for what he would like his


legacy to be, Cowan had this to say: “I think the legacy I’d like to leave is that the industry was more than fair to me; it was good to me. Tat’s where I got my vision that where much is given, much is expected. It’s very important for me to give that same opportunity to the next generation.” 


Associated General Contractors of California 17


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