Gilbane Building Company’s Rising Contractor Initiative Continues Rapid Growth

As part of the company’s commitments to drive economic opportunity and build the capacity of diverse-owned businesses, Gilbane Building Company celebrates 76 new graduates of its Rising Contractor Program. Since being reimagined in 2020, the program has graduated over 270 diverse and disadvantaged businesses.

The Rising Contractor Program is an integral component of Gilbane’s economic inclusion strategy, as it offers participants an opportunity to expand their industry knowledge, while providing formal mentorship to support capacity for sustainable growth. The program is designed to foster partnership and promote opportunities to work on Gilbane projects. Gilbane is committed to generating $100 million in awards through 2026 for program graduates.

“Gilbane understands that committing to economic inclusion today means a more equitable, robust construction landscape tomorrow,” said Yvette Stevens, vice president and director of economic inclusion. “The expansion of our team is one more step toward achieving our goals and furthering our commitment to economic inclusion through greater partnerships with our clients and trade partners.”

To achieve this goal, Gilbane recently named John Rodriguez as the Rising Contractor program manager. With nearly a decade of experience in managing programs aimed at small business growth and development throughout New York City and San Francisco, California, Rodriguez most recently served the New York City Department of Small Business Services as director of capital access programs, including the Contract Finance Loan Fund and NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund.

As program manager, Rodriguez will work to grow the Rising Contractor Program in both class size and curriculum, engaging certifying agencies throughout the country to tap new participant pools, while also broadening class offerings to ensure efficacy and innovation.

The next session of the Rising Contractor Program is scheduled for spring of 2024.

To learn more about the Rising Contractor Program, visit: https://info.gilbaneco.com/gilbane-rising-contractors.