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. Dave Carlin, Soltek Pacific, 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.

Mentor

Diane Dion, I.E. Pacific, Inc., and

Cathy Final, J.R. Filanc Construction Co., Inc., and

• Accurate Engineering Integrated Construction Services

• In-Line Fence & Rail Company, Inc.

• José Pereira Engineering & Mechanical, Inc.

• RKC Constructors, Inc.

• St. Thomas Enterprises, Inc.

• Wiley Construction Company, Inc.

• C.E. Wylie Construction Company

• Cox Construction Company

• J.R. Filanc Construction Company, Inc.

• Riha Construction Company

• Soltek Pacific Construction Company

• T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc.

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 or by email at bbarnum@agcsd.org.