Third Annual NAMC-WA Gala Features Leader on Minority Business Development

The Washington Chapter of the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC-WA) held its 3rd Annual Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Awards gala on October 4. The sold-out event included a plenary session conducted by the keynote speaker, Dr. Melvin J. Gravely II. Gravely is the CEO and chairman of the board of TriVersity Construction Company, which is one of the top 10 construction companies in the greater Cincinnati, Ohio region. He is also the founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking Ltd. He is a national leader on the topic of minority business development and supplier diversity. 

NAMC-WA is a non-profit trade association founded in 2010 to address the needs and concerns of minority contractors. James Faison has led NAMC for the last two years. “As President, I plan on working with other organizations such as Tabor 100, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The NAACP, Black United Fund, WSDOT and the University of Washington. I will be sitting down and working with city officials from Seattle, Tacoma and Burien. I will also meet with agencies such as the Port of the Tacoma School District and others. I think we’re stronger working together as a unit and I am reaching out for everyone’s help.”

Grover Johnson, a current board member, was the chief founder of NAMC-WA. He says the organization is here to stay.

“Relationship building is important and has opened doors for opportunities and contracts for our minority contractors.

"I see huge growth for minority businesses in the next 5 years if I-1000 is approved in the upcoming election.”

“There is unprecedented growth in our local economy. We want our sub-contractors and micro businesses to work on those projects, gain the knowledge, and one day become prime contractors,” said Board Member Linda Lee Womack. “NAMC-WA is in the process of developing industry critical workshops for our members and will continue to serve as a platform for the contracting community to connect with Primes and Agencies to help grow their respective businesses.”

NAMC handed out six awards at the event:

• The Emerging Business Award went to Young-Sang Song, owner of Song Consulting LLC;
• the Established Business Award went to Tunista Construction LLC;
• the General Contractor of the Year was Hensel Phelps;
• the recipient of the Public Agency of the Year Award was the Washington State Department of Enterprise Services;
• and the Founder’s Award was given to NAMC past president, Robert Armstead.
• Regina Glenn, president of Pacific Communications Consultants Inc. was honored as the Diversity Advocate of the Year. 

Regina Glenn, president of Pacific Communications Consultants Inc. was honored as the Diversity Advocate of the YearThe surprise of the evening came when Glenn not only received the award, but learned that it was to be named for her as well. “Advocacy is what I have been about most of my life, so I am deeply honored by this privilege,” she said. “To be recognized by my colleagues from the agencies and the business owners is an affirmation that my efforts have borne fruit for many business owners. That was always my goal. Our company’s theme is to advocate, collaborate, inform and engage with our clients to help diverse businesses grow. This award personifies that.”

NAMC is an advocate for Minority and Women-owned as well as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. It facilitates wider business opportunities and is a forum for education and mutual support. 

NAMC meets on the first Thursday evening of every month. For more information visit www.namcwa.com.