BUILDING YOUR NETWORK


At left, Los Angeles World Airports Chief Development Officer Terri Mestas headlined AGC of California’s SBCX event in Los Angeles this August.


LAWA Official Headlines Successful SBCX Event in Los Angeles


T


he AGC of California hosted its annual Southern California Small Business Construction Expo


(SBCX) on August 25, 2023, at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach. Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Chief Development Officer Terri Mestas head- lined the event as the keynote speaker. “LAWA is committed to creating a positive and measurable impact on the growth and success of small and diverse businesses in Los Angeles, and to develop a strong diverse and inclusive workforce community,” Mestas commented. “We are proud to partner with AGC of California and its members as we build our $30 billion capital improvement program with aligned values about diversity and inclusivity.” Mestas manages a $30 billion budget


for the capital improvement program that includes projects such as the automated people mover, the new Terminal 9, new


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023


Concourse 0, new cargo facilities, new roadways into Los Angeles International Airport, and runway and taxiway projects, among other projects. She leads a team of dedicated staff members with support from over 450 companies executing work at Los Angeles International, Van Nuys and Palmdale Airports. AGC of California’s SBCX connects


small/underrepresented business (SUB) contractors who are growing their busi- ness with resources and experts from across the state, including representatives from public and government agencies, prime contractors, and specialty trade organizations. Over 40 organizations sponsored booths and shared tips for landing con- tracts, project forecasts for opportunities and more. AGC of California’s South- ern California SBCX was developed in partnership with presenting sponsors BuildOUT California, the California De-


partment of General Services (DGS), LAWA, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and the Port of Long Beach. Over 445 people registered for the event. SBCX places special emphasis on mak- ing connections between construction in- dustry businesses that are disadvantaged business enterprises (DBE), disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), LGBT business enterprises (LGBTBE), minority business enterprises (MBE), small business enterprises (SBE), women business enterprises (WBE), and wom- en-owned small businesses (WOSB). “SBCX epitomizes the collaboration


that drives our industry forward,” said AGC of California Chief Executive Officer Peter Tateishi. “By uniting small/under- represented business contractors with key stakeholders, we’re not just creating opportunities; we’re fostering a network of innovation, strengthening our trade, and paving the way for future growth. It’s a vital step in ensuring the lasting prosperity of California’s construction landscape.” AGC of California members Clark Con-


struction, Envision Inglewood Connected, Hensel Phelps, Skanska, and Sully-Miller Contracting Co. sponsored the event along with Turner Construction Co. The panel session, “Engage with


Agencies,” included Olga Mireya López, senior representative, strategic business & construction careers, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; Veronica Soto, senior advisor for workforce development, Los Angeles World Airports; Wayne Gross, business outreach liaison, DGS; John Arena, busi- ness outreach program manager, Metro Water District; and Jennifer Kropke, officer of diversity, equity, inclusion and procurement, to share their insights on engaging with agencies.


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