quickly found out just how much – and how different it is to run a construction company with its many administrative demands than it is to “punk” iron on a jobsite.
As she began pursuing bid opportuni-
ties for Marvella Steel, Pruitt came across a contractor development and bonding program offered by Merriwether & Wil- liams Insurance Services that targeted new contractors like her, and she quickly signed up. She began learning many of the fundamentals of what it takes to run a small construction business, including bonding, insurance, certification, and cer- tified payroll, while also taking advantage of the chance to meet and interact with prime contractors in the region. Marvella Steel was awarded its first $3,700 contract about six months after Pruitt opened the doors. Te next contract was $81,000, as Pruitt recalls. And then the company qualified for a $9 million Purple Line 3 contract as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) contractor. “Tat was a very big resume builder for us and opened up a whole bunch of new opportunities with other Los Angeles Metro projects,” Pruitt noted. She is proud that Marvella Steel Placers has completed over 70 projects and employed well over 400 union ironworkers since she opened the doors, all while maintaining a focus on safely delivering quality rebar work.
Tapping Industry Mentorships and Resources As Pruitt built the business, she focused on learning everything she could through critical mentorships with large contractors including Skanska, Frontier Kemper, Grif- fith Company and others. Te company also actively sought out involvement and partnerships with organizations and associations that could provide critical resources and support. One key con- nection is BuildOUT, where Pruitt had
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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025
This photo of Marvella and Jacque Pruitt has been displayed on Jacque’s desk since Marvella Steel Placers opened for business.
“Being on the CEF Board and a member of AGC of California is an honor and a privilege. It touches a large part of my heart, which is getting other people exposed to the opportunities that construction has to offer. I like to be a mentor and share my experiences with young people.”
“Being membe honora a large getting opport has to an w
– Jacqueline Pruitt, Marvella Steel Placers
the opportunity to sit with a CEO coach who helped her understand more about leadership styles, processes, procedures, and company branding, among other things. It was through BuildOUT that she was introduced to AGC of California approximately two years ago. Pruitt and her company have leaned into the small and underrepresented
business (SUB) trainings and resources that AGC of California offers, partici- pating in the SUB Forum, SUB Basics Academy, and a host of networking events including AGC of California’s Hot Summer Nights, conferences in Long Beach, and more. Additionally, this year the AGC of California Construction Education Foun-
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