business owners’ abilities to secure jobs. GAEA designed the Construction Business Management Institute (CBMI) as a suite of programs that provides individuals with continu- ing education across a wide range of topics.


CBMI consists of two modules: CBMI 1 addresses topics such as safety, project management, accounting, con- struction administration and law; CBMI 2 teaches partic- ipants about estimating and how to develop bids.


Sadat Nichols (left) and Al Shepherd, Owners of ARS Mechanical LLC, entered into construction and transportation as a result of the knowledge and connections they gained from GAEA.


program. “The airport wanted to make sure that, as they un- derwent their $6.5 billion airport expansion (which spanned from 2000 to 2015), there would be significant small, woman- and minority-owned business participation,” ex- plains Joe Jackson, President of GAEA, which was formed in response to the airport’s diversity and inclusion goals.


One of GAEA’s objectives is to inform small, woman- and mi- nority-owned companies of industry opportunities. But the organization goes beyond simply disseminating informa- tion. It also seeks to make sure that those companies are prepared to pursue projects once they become available.


“One thing we want to ensure is that everyone has an equal chance to obtain work, even though we recognize that ev- erybody will not have the same outcome. So, as it relates to diversity and inclusion on major projects in the Atlanta area, we want to make sure that businesses are prepared to be competitive and have a fair shot,” states Joe.


To that end, GAEA’s mission is to build, sustain and grow the capacity, capability and opportunities of companies within construction, transportation and other related in- dustries. This, in turn, establishes a pool of businesses that possess the necessary expertise, personnel and cer- tifications to perform jobs of various scales and scopes.


LAYING A FOUNDATION THROUGH EDUCATION


GAEA continually engages industry professionals to assess their educational needs because gaps in understanding or lack of specialized skills were found to interfere with


GAEA staff at a GAEA Commemorative Book and Networking event. Pictured left to right are Tyrone Gorham, Esther Brown, Jewana Helmstetter and Joe Jackson.


For more advanced training of individuals who are ready to transition to the next level, GAEA offers its Alliance Academy. “The Alliance Academy is considered an execu- tive-level CBMI program where we enroll men and women who are ready to go from being trade contractors to poten- tial joint venture or prime contractors,” says Joe.


POSITIVE IMPACT FOR ONE MINORITY OWNER


Sadat credits GAEA with providing the education, re- sources and network necessary for ARS Mechanical to enter into the construction industry. Located in Lithonia, Georgia, the mechanical contracting company specializ- es in commercial and industrial heating, plumbing, venti- lation and air conditioning (HVAC) repairs, maintenance and installation.


Sadat grew up working in his father’s commercial refriger- ation and heating business in Milwaukee. He later moved to Atlanta, where he completed a five-year HVAC appren- ticeship program and worked in the industry for 10 years. Although Sadat had plenty of field experience in the heating and air conditioning industry, he lacked business operation and construction knowledge.


POWERED BY THE BLUE BOOK NETWORK - ATLANTA & NORTH CENTRAL GEORGIA / FALL 2016


9


COURTESY OF ARS MECHANICAL (TOP); AC SWEEPERS AND MAINTENANCE INC. (BOTTOM)


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