91视频

Leon Araiza developed an invaluable network that includes the National Association of Minority Contractors-Oregon and partners such as Andersen Construction as he built his company, Advanced Tribal.

Araiza is president and owner of the Salem-based MBE/DBE multidisciplinary company, which provides design-build, construction management and general contracting services for the commercial, government and residential sectors. Through NAMC University, he began expanding his business acumen by talking with Andersen鈥檚 estimators, leaders and other staff.

鈥淚鈥檝e got an opportunity to work with Andersen and go through the bidding and pricing experience with them. And, of course, just getting to be on a large project and perform a couple of scopes, it will benefit us not just financially but it was a good process that gave me multiple runs as to how to tackle it,鈥� he said.

Despite the difficulties the pandemic has presented to both his business and his Native American community, Araiza serves as a voice for people of color on topics such as racism and unconscious bias in the industry. He has shared publicly some of the names he has been called on jobsites and how, as a business owner, inspectors approached his white employees instead of him.

While there still is much work to do, Araiza said partners like Andersen Construction are helping to change the culture of the construction industry.
鈥淚 think this should be looked at as a game-changer to fulfill the diversity and inclusion movement. This is a term that has been used for years and it used to be, really, kind of lip service, but this approach really could be a game-changer,鈥� he said.

With a commitment to giving back, Araiza is a training agent for the Northwest College of Construction and works with apprentices, providing on-the-job training and mentoring.