MENTOR PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM

Program Overview

The Associated General Contractors (AGC) has joined hands with the City of San Diego to form a Mentor-Protégé program designed to assist small and emerging construction companies get off the ground and become successful contractors. The program, modeled after the Port of Portland's Mentor-Protégé Program, allows the construction industry to help select, retain, and graduate Protégé firms that represent San Diego's diverse population.

A formal board, which includes the AGC, City of San Diego, County of San Diego, the San Diego County Water Authority, and the San Diego Contracting Opportunities Center (SDCOC) - PTAC, serves in an advisory capacity to establish policy, solicit volunteers, participate in the mentor and protégé selection process, and monitor the progress of the program.

AGC provides mentors and other in-kind services, such as membership and training and education opportunities to the protégés. Mark Finch, Johnson, Finch & McClure Construction, Inc., lead's AGC's efforts, and he is committed to creating additional mentor-protégé teams and expanding the program within the AGC.

protégés are matched with AGC firms that provide the knowledge and expertise needed to get the protégés on the right track. Working together in monthly meetings with the City's Mentor-Protégé Program Manager, Herb Lemmons, the teams focus on business plans, reviewing existing financial conditions, and formulating specific plans to enhance each Protégé's capacity and/or capabilities.

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Current Mentor-Protégé Teams

Mentor / Protégé

Richard Collins, Collins Plumbing, Inc. / Alex Galicia, BPI Plumbing

Rob Wilson, Orion Construction Corporation / Rick Fowler, Rick Fowler Construction, Inc.

Pat Riley, American Marine, and Rick Cohen, West American Corp. / Michael Berrill, Berrill Demolition, Inc.

Philip Peterson, Dynalectric Company - San Diego / Anthony Buescher, Service Electrical Systems

Steve Coker, TC Construction Company, Inc. / Jon Cloud, J. Cloud, Inc.

Marc Penick, T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc. / Glenn Torez, PRAVA Construction Services

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Protégé Graduates

• A.B. Hashmi, Inc.
• Accurate Engineering Integrated Construction Services
• In-Line Fence & Rail Company, Inc.
• José Pereira Engineering & Mechanical, Inc.
• Pacific West Builders
• RKC Constructors, Inc.
• Roberts Electrical Contractor, Inc.
• Silva General Construction, Inc.
• St. Thomas Enterprises, Inc.
• Wiley Construction Company, Inc.

Examples of Protégé Accomplishments:

• Increased Bonding Capacities and Insurance Levels
• Developed Solid Estimating & Bidding Performance
• Expanded Contract Knowledge and Accounting Practices
• Prepared Successful Business Plans and Financial Documents
• Elevated Project Management and Leadership Skills
• Improved Human Resources and Marketing Strategies

Past Mentors

• C.E. Wylie Construction Company
• Cox Construction Company
• Helix Electric, Inc.
• I.E. Pacific, Inc.
• J.R. Filanc Construction Company, Inc.
• Orion Construction Corporation
• R.A. Burch Construction Co., Inc.
• Riha Construction Company
• Soltek Pacific Construction Company
• T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc.
• West Coast Air

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How to Participate as a Mentor or Protégé

Mentor
If you are interested in becoming a Mentor, please contact Brad Barnum, AGC Vice President Government Relations, at (858) 731-8158 .

Protégé
If you are interested in becoming a Protégé please contact Herb Lemmons, Mentor Protégé Program Manager, City of San Diego, at (619) 236-6218

To view Protégé Qualifications & Application click here

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