El Paso, Texas’ Veliz Construction was named as the 2022 Diverse Business of the Year award winner by the Associated General Contractors of America.
“These awards recognize firms that are doing an outstanding job recruiting, retaining and engaging workers of all backgrounds,” said Bob Lanham, the association’s former president and president of Williams Brothers Construction Co., Inc. in Houston, Texas.
Veliz Construction, Inc. is a Hispanic-owned and operated general contractor offering general contracting services across Texas and New Mexico. Veliz Construction has adopted a culture of continuous improvement that focuses on teamwork, open communication, and constant feedback.
Association officials noted that the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Awards are part of the association’s broader efforts to make the construction industry more diverse and inclusive. The association also operates a nationwide recruiting campaign called “Construction is Essential” to attract more diverse workers. Its Culture of Care program helps firms create more welcoming and inclusive workplaces. Its Business Case for a Diverse Industry helps construction leaders see how more diverse firms are innovative, profitable and safe.
The awards were presented during the association’s annual convention. A diverse panel of judges, representing all aspects of construction, evaluated the submissions based on three criteria: corporate commitment to diversity & inclusion, workforce diversity & inclusion initiatives and subcontractor/supply chain diversity & inclusion initiatives, Lanham noted.