Programs and Partnerships Play
A Key Role in Leon Araiza’s Success
Recently, we had the pleasure of speaking with Leon Araiza about his construction business, Advanced Tribal, LLC. Here’s what we learned.
Leon started Advanced Tribal three years ago as a self-performing general contractor with specialties in structural-framing, concrete, seismic upgrades, and interior-exterior finishes. Notably, he participated in the seismic upgrade and remodeling for the PDX 911 Call Center as well as the Sandy Fire Station, where Leon worked as a subcontractor. He also worked on the Oregon Trail School District Pioneer Building (Sandy School) remodel and upgrade project in addition to water damage mitigation projects for residential properties.
Although Leon has extensive experience and knows his trade very well, he realized rather early on that he was going to need some assistance on the business side of things if he were to get Advanced Tribal where it needed to be.
Preparing Through Partnership
As a certified Native American-owned business, Leon became aware of multiple regional business development programs explicitly geared toward certified, minority, and women-owned businesses. He narrowed his options to a few offerings, including The Turner School of Construction Management, where he completed an intense seven-week course, and the Port of Portland Mentor Protégé Program, a three-year program, of which Leon has already finished his first year. He is also super excited to have recently been accepted into the City of Portland Contractor Development Program.
Leon needed these types of experts to help him learn how to make the necessary decisions to be successful in his business. He is especially grateful for the awesome team at the Port — specifically, Kimberly Mitchell-Phillips, Rhonnda Edmiston and Raechell Chapman, who continue to support him and his fellow protégés by providing valuable resources and tailoring the program to meet everyone’s individual needs.
When it comes to construction, it’s never a one-person job, and partnerships help move these complex projects forward. Advanced Tribal has recently partnered with Sterling Pacific. “I enjoy our working relationship and appreciate forward-thinking types like Joe Calderon, owner of Sterling Pacific,” says Leon. “Sometimes it’s a challenge to find partners you sync with — and, when you do, you want to keep working together.”
Given the opportunity, Leon says he would like to work on civil projects. He has the experience and is working towards his 8(a) Designation while looking for innovative ways to partner up again. Partnerships with other contractors that can or have gone through the SBA All Small Mentor-Protégé Program would be perfect. His ideal civil projects include bank/river restorations, road buildings/decommissioning, culvert replacements, and water weirs for irrigation.
Sharing His Success
Leon feels his business has benefited greatly through mentoring, so he is paying it forward by becoming a mentor himself. These days, if you haven’t noticed, there is a labor shortage in the construction trades, so Leon is doing his part by participating as a training agent for the Northwest College of Construction — currently working with three apprentices and providing on-the-job training and mentoring.
“I enjoy engaging our youth and introducing them to the trades. The concept of educating, inspiring and empowering is very natural to me.” – Leon Araiza
As a firm believer in “if it’s worth doing it at all, it’s worth doing it right,” Leon feels that helping these kids get it right is the right thing to do!
While chatting with Leon, we touched upon “Aha” moments. What was Leon’s? It happened while attending one of the Port events, where he realized not only do the business development programs provide a great deal of training, guidance, and support but they also demonstrate the value of networking — as a result, Leon is now a member of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), Oregon Native American Chamber (ONAC), and Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME). He encourages all small business contractors to do the same.
“Living the good struggle” is how Leon moves about his days. He knows “Nothing worth doing is ever easy!” and that “Nothing worth having comes easy.”
-by Jennie Rodriguez
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
In order to be part of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, your firm must be certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. Disadvantaged Business Enterprises include small businesses that are at least 51% owned by Minorities (Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian-Pacific Americans, Subcontinent Asian Americans, and Women) Other individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Emerging Small Business (ESB)
The Emerging Small Business Program creates contract opportunities for Oregon’s small businesses. The program also helps remove some of the barriers which prevent small businesses from contracting with ODOT. The ESB program objectives are to:
- Ensure ODOT is following Oregon laws and requirements.
- Assist and encourage other state and local agencies to have Emerging Small Business programs.
- Ensure that opportunities are available statewide to a diverse pool of businesses.
- Ensure that Emerging Small Businesses can compete fairly for ODOT funded projects.
- Ensure that only eligible firms can participate in the Emerging Small Business program.
- Help develop firms so that they can compete outside of the Emerging Small Business program.
Title VI
ODOT complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and other federal nondiscrimination statutes which prohibit discrimination based on race, color, national origin, age, disability or gender in ODOT’s programs, activities, services, operations, delivery of benefits or opportunities to participate.
In an effort to provide equitable access, ODOT provides accessibility aids, translation
and interpretation services for all public events and vital documents free of charge upon request. You can get these services by providing reasonable advanced notice.
Intermodal Civil Rights
The Intermodal Civil Rights Program makes sure that public transportation and passenger rail programs comply with civil rights laws and executive orders that prevent discrimination in programs that receive federal money. The Intermodal Civil Rights Program works with other programs in the Office of Civil Rights to keep ODOT following civil rights laws and policies. Learn about our program objectives.
Equal Employment Opportunity Contractor Compliance
The Intermodal Civil Rights Program makes sure that public transportation and passenger rail programs comply with civil rights laws and executive orders that prevent discrimination in programs that receive federal money. The Intermodal Civil Rights Program works with other programs in the Office of Civil Rights to keep ODOT following civil rights laws and policies. Learn about our program objectives.
Workforce Development
ODOT is training future highway workers that will fill vacancies in the construction industry. By partnering with local nonprofits and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, we’re poised to meet today current demands.
|
