Episode 8 features an interview with Sonya Kay Blake, President and CEO of The Valley Economic Alliance. The Alliance serves businesses, educational institutions and community organizations of all sizes to achieve economic vitality and prosperity in the greater San Fernando Valley region and has worked with Metro on engagement for projects such as the G Line (Orange Line) and now the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit (ESFV LRT). Blake shares her journey from the east coast to the we...

Episode 7 features interviews with Abbigail Brown, Owner and President of CPM Logistics, and Teresa Maxwell, DBE Compliance Officer at Skanska. Abbigail is a dynamic leader who works tirelessly with communities to promote increased education, awareness and project expectations for federally funded transportation projects to assist DBEs, especially marginalized groups at federal, state and local levels. She leads Caltrans Alternative Delivery, is a member of the Caltrans Construction Innovativ...

En honor al Mes de la Herencia Hispana, el Podcast 6.7 presenta un episodio que destaca a dos invitados, Diana Layseca, Gerente Senior de Desarrollo de Negocios de Bess Utility Solutions, y Ernesto Trías, Director y CEO de Parthenon Corporation. El episodio, en español, muestra la visión de cada invitado sobre su experiencia laboral en el programa DBE y cómo las pequeñas empresas, que pueden ser operadas por hispanohablantes o principalmente en español, pueden participar en el programa DBE y ...

Episode 5 features an interview with Ramon Ortiz, Director of Certification and Economic Development at Metro. Ramon focuses on creating opportunities for small businesses to provide goods and services on the numerous agency projects, and works to ensure Metro remains in compliance with regulations governing the DBE, SBE, and LSBE programs. With 20 years of experience working with small businesses, Ramon shares how he discovered the industry and provides valuable advice on how to get started ...

Episode 4 features an interview with Sharon Coleman, founder of Coleman Construction. Coleman’s background includes commercial, governmental and institutional projects, as well as design build, housing restorations and more. Sharon currently serves as the President of the National Association of Minority Contractors, Southern California Chapter (NAMCSC) and Vice Chair for Metro’s Transportation Business Advisory Council (TBAC). Sharon details her entry into the world of construction, shares t...

Episode 3 features interviews with Bill Hadley, Vice President of Skanska and Systems Integration Manager for SFTC, and Danielle (Dani) George, Estimating Engineer for SFTC. With over 35 years of experience, the majority of Bill’s career has been on Metro transportation projects. He has done extensive work on 10 projects comparable to the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail project. Bill has a thorough understanding of Metro’s system and keen awareness of the importance of early outreach and ...

Episode 2 features an interview with Ernesto Trias, Principal and CEO of Parthenon Corporation. Parthenon provides project controls staff augmentation on the ESFV LRT project. Parthenon Corporation became certified as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) in 2011, and Ernesto’s industry experience has led to numerous opportunities to work with LA Metro and other high-profile agencies. Ernesto is a native Angeleno and proudly shares his family’s humble beginnings as his motivation to succe...

Episode 1 features an interview with Diana Layseca, the Senior Business Development Manager for Bess Utility Solutions. Bess will conduct the potholing on the ESFV project during preconstruction. The company recently graduated from the DBE Program and Diana is often asked by other small businesses for tips on how she does her networking, how she grows the business, how to approach people in construction and how to market effectively. She is smart, witty and a great source of information...