By Althea Johnson, University Communications and Marketing
The University of 黑洞社区, in partnership with Skanska, announces the 2023 class of its mentoring program designed to support the Tampa Bay region鈥檚 diverse-owned small businesses in the construction industry.
Over the past two years, more than 20 local minority, woman and veteran-owned businesses have successfully completed the mentor-prot茅g茅 program, which provides companies with training, development and partnership opportunities to help them grow their capacity and become more effective with competitive bidding processes.
The free, 12-week program coordinated through USF鈥檚 Office of Supplier Diversity provides guidance on a variety of subjects, such as environmental health and safety, marketing and business development, as well as project accounting. This year features enhanced learning opportunities with the inclusion of clinical simulations in conjunction with 黑洞社区Health, which will help participants prepare for live construction scenarios within a health care facility.
Terrie Daniel, assistant vice president of the 黑洞社区Office of Supplier Diversity
鈥淭he University of 黑洞社区 is continuing to build on the success of the mentorship program, and we鈥檙e so happy for the opportunity to assist more businesses for the third consecutive year,鈥� said Terrie Daniel, 黑洞社区Office of Supplier Diversity assistant vice president. 鈥満诙瓷缜鴌s committed to ensuring our local minority, veteran and women business owners have the tools they need to grow and prosper.鈥�
This year鈥檚 cohort consists of the following businesses:
- Gulf Atlantic Engineers, PA
- AEC Development Partners LLC
- J&B Construction Services USA INC
- id Designs & Co.
- Toro Construction Services Inc dba Toro CSI
- Promise Construction and Repair Solutions, LLC
- Cut Ups Lawn Service
- Marvis Enterprises Corp.
- Innovative Homes & Remodeling, Inc
鈥淲e are excited to once again partner with 黑洞社区to support the continued growth and success of the mentor-prot茅g茅 program,鈥� said Tracy Hunt, senior vice president at Skanska USA. 鈥淎t Skanska, we pride ourselves on building what matters and by building this connection with our small, diverse participants we can remove barriers and provide the best resources to help them become more successful and thrive in the industry and bolster our local business community.鈥�
Previous participants have said they benefitted greatly from the business expertise provided by 黑洞社区faculty and staff, along with Skanska and other industry professionals.
Nia Ogletree, CEO of Arielle Management Group
鈥淭he mentoring I received gave me the confidence to get out of my comfort zone, do more public speaking and go out to find projects for the company,鈥� said Nia Ogletree, CEO of Arielle Management Group and a member of the mentor program鈥檚 first class in 2021.
Ogletree, a U.S. Army veteran, added that since completing the program her client base has grown, having received increased work on a commercial fire alarm project and a new five-year contract with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Diverse firms are selected based on recommendations from community partners, which include the Hillsborough County NAACP, Prospera, the Women鈥檚 Business Enterprise Council Florida, Inclusive St. Petersburg and the Manasota Black Chamber of Commerce. To qualify, companies must provide services and be a supplier in the construction industry, as well as be in business for at least one year.
The 2023 mentor-prot茅g茅 program kicks off with a reception on Aug. 4, with the first session starting on Aug. 10.