Gilbane Building Company Joins BuildOUT California
Media Contact: David Perry & Associates, Inc. / news@davidperry.com / (415) 676-7007
Gilbane Building Company Joins BuildOUT California
to Help Break the ‘Concrete Ceiling’ for LGBT-Owned Firms in A&E, Construction, Real Estate Development and Related Industries
One of America’s oldest and largest construction management firms
joins forces with the world’s first industry association dedicated to
the sustainable growth of LGBT owned and certified businesses
4 January 2021 – San Francisco, CA: BuildOUT California (www.buildoutcalifornia.org), announced today that Gilbane Building Company (www.gilbaneco.com) has joined the organization to further open the doors of opportunity and job creation.
“Throughout Gilbane’s 150-year history, the company has been committed to creating opportunity,” said Michael McKelvy, President & CEO, Gilbane Building Company. “We believe that our workforce and our subcontracting partners should reflect the communities that we serve. We are proud to collaborate with BuildOUT California because we know that inclusion and diversity support a robust industry and strong economy.”
“This is enormously significant” stated Sandra Escalante, owner of the LGBT, Women, Minority-certified firm of Laner Electric headquartered in Richmond, California which is a wholesale distributor of electrical construction materials. “People want to do business with people they know. Gilbane is sending a strong message that they value diversity, equity and inclusion within an industry which is not known for embracing women and minorities.”
BuildOUT California’s President, Paul Pendergast, went on to add “At a time when our nation’s, and California’s, infrastructure needs immediate attention it is important that LGBT firms in A&E and construction are invited to actively participate in the competitive bidding process. Having a company like Gilbane, which is a significant prime contractor throughout the United States, open their doors to not only team with LGBT businesses, but to proactively work to mentor them, is immensely important news.”
Gilbane’s construction projects in California span multiple market sectors that reflect the state’s diverse economy. Notable completed projects include Genentech, Inc. Biopharmaceutical Manufacturing Campus in Vacaville and the General Service Administration Federal Courthouse in Bakersfield, and among its current projects are the California State University, Monterey Bay Otter Student Union and the Department of General Services 10th & O Street State Office Building in Sacramento.
There are over 500 LGBT-certified firms listed within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Supplier Clearinghouse database.
“AGC [Associated General Contractors]of California just celebrated 100 years and now, more than ever, are looking to advance diversity and inclusion – it starts with innovative partnerships like BuildOUT and Gilbane working together” added Peter Tateishi, CEO, AGC of California. “It’s this type of collaboration from a key member company that makes me proud to be part of this industry.”
Gilbane’s partnership with BuildOUT California includes the placement of Debi Hertz, Senior Project Manager DBIA, CCM, on the organization’s roster of founders, participation in BuildOUT California’s ground-breaking Mentor/Protégé program and a strong presence in providing technical assistance/training to make LGBT A&E/Construction firms more competitive in the marketplace.
About Gilbane Building Company:
Gilbane provides a full slate of construction and facilities-related services – from pre-construction planning and integrated consulting capabilities to comprehensive construction management, general contracting, design-build and facility management services – for clients across various markets. Founded in 1870 and still a privately held, family-owned company, Gilbane has more than 45 office locations worldwide. Since 1995, Gilbane has been delivering construction services in California for clients across diverse market sectors. For more information, visit www.gilbaneco.com
About BuildOUT California:
BuildOUT California is the world’s first LGBT Industry Association dedicated to the sustainable growth of LGBT owned & certified businesses, and our allies, in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, Construction Services, Real Estate Development, and Related Industries. BuildOUT California’s efforts are directed toward advocacy at the regional, statewide and national levels, providing relevant technical assistance & training and delivering connections that lead to measurable business growth. BuildOUT California’s 21 Founders represent over 620 years of experience in the A&E/Construction industries. For more information, visit www.buildoutcalifornia.org