7/13/2012 WCOE Conference Update, New Member and More

We want to see you in Los Angeles

There are just a few days left to register for the July 23rd, Western Regional Conference being held at the prestigious Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles. The agenda is set and all speakers are confirmed including a very important panel discussion from 5 major prime contractors about how to get on their radar screen and become a preferred teaming partner on major projects. These are the biggest and the best of West Coast builders: CC Meyers, Swinerton, Webcor, Kiewit and Hathway Dinwiddie. The WCOE conferences are noted for providing terrific ROI back to all attendees.

Listen to what first time attendee Susan Chipouras said after the NYC conference in May, "It was so refreshing to meet the women at the WCOE conference....talk about ROI....I had a fabulous time."

Take 2 minutes out of your busy day and register now. We promise you will not be disappointed.

Welcome new member Linda Orr

A very hearty welcome to our newest WCOE member, Linda Orr. Linda attended the New York City conference and liked what she saw – the membership application came soon after. She is the President of Orlind Construction, Inc., in Philadelphia, PA and also licensed in NJ and DE. Orlind is a certified WOSB/SDB/DBE/WBE general contractor that Linda founded in 1994 as a $20,000 start-up, building it to $7 million in annual revenue in commercial, industrial and residential projects. You can welcome Linda to WCOE by calling 215.988.7773 or emailing lindaorr@orlind.com.

What could be better than Vegas in August?

Seriously, you stay inside during the daytime and venture outside at night when those wonderful cool desert breezes brush over you. And what will keep you busy in the daytime you ask? Well, the MGM Resorts Foundation is presenting its Women's Leadership Conference at the (where else) MGM Grand Hotel & Casino on August 14th and 15th. Plus, there are 12 Vegas hotels that are offering conference attendees a 15% discount off their already discounted August rates. Learn more plus all the details on our website.

ObamaCare Tax synopsis

There is a lot of confusion about what benefits and penalties (taxes) ObamaCare brings with it. There are some surprising taxes that hadn't seen the light of day before and many affect small business substantially.

One reading will convince you that it is extremely complex and will require diligence in making sure you don't wind up in the penalty box – or worse.

» More information

ISEA invites WCOE members to roundtable discussion

The International Safety Equipment Association is hosting a roundtable discussion on August 21st in Arlington, VA on confined space safety considerations. The event is free to WCOE members. "Confined work spaces are everywhere....they exist below ground in utility systems....and high above in wind-turbine nacelles" according to ISEA President Dan Shipp. Details are on our website.

» Registration
» Details

SBA gives federal GovCon small business procurement effort a "B"

Really? Even though 2011 was supposed to be a banner year for small and minority businesses obtaining federal contracts, SBA reports that nearly every category declined not only from the goal set for 2011, but from the 2010 numbers. Overall small business has been targeted by Congress to receive a minimum of 23% of federal contracts. In 2010 the number came close at 22.66%. Even though significant "improvements" to the program were mandated by Congress in 2011 – including the new WOSB program – the government only achieved 21.65% or a total of $91.5 billion.

Women-owned small business is targeted at 5% but only reached 4.04% in 2010 – dropping still further to 3.98% in 2011. Only small-disadvantaged business surpassed its 5% goal, but was still less in 2011 than the prior year.

So, out of 5 categories set up by Congressional mandate, only 1 surpasses its goal which by any calculation provides an 80% failure rate – yet SBA gives the program a "B". Someone doesn't seem to understand that getting 20% of the answers correct will never get you a B on any conceivable test.

You can see the full report on our website.

KCMO announces 6th annual procurement forum

WCOE members are invited to attend the Kansas City (MO) Government Contracting and Procurement Forum on August 7, 2012 from 8:30 to 4:00 pm at the Bartle Hall Convention Center.  Tagged with "Building Your Way Up To Success", the event is designed to showcase government contracting and procurement requirements to businesses in the KC Metro area and to provide critical information, networking opportunities and access to new business partners. Register online at kcgcp.org or call 816.513.1836. For questions you can email ashlea.blue@kcmo.org.

High Speed Rail project approved by CA Senate

CA Governor Jerry Brown got his way last week with the Senate approval of the state's high speed rail $68 billion project. The construction industry and unions lobbied hard for what is called "the most ambitious public works project to date in California". Any Google search will return hundreds of articles about this massive project. It is projected to employ up to 100,000 construction workers with completion scheduled for 2028.

Project updates and construction opportunities are available at http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ The press release from Reuters news service is available on our website.

WCOE Members featured in GWIC Ad

The May Groundbreaking Women In Construction event in New York City featured two of our exemplary WCOE members as speakers – Linda Graves from Gilbane Construction and Rosie Privitera Biondo from Mark One Electric (Rosie is also WCOE President). Their bright and smiling faces were on a recent ad touting the success of the conference.

» View the ad

Always wanted to be a teacher?

Here's your opportunity, the Rosie the Riveter High School in Los Angeles is looking for 2 full time and 1 part time instructors for construction classes. The full time position pays $52K and the part time $32K. Qualifications are at least 5 years in the trades and preferably a licensed GC with a passion for getting women and youth ready for apprenticeships. For more information or to apply, contact Alex at 213/749/3970, x1001 or email atgalancid@winterwomen.org.

Women Construction Owners and Executives
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