U.S. MINORITY CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Technology Officer
- Founder and Principal of Understand - IT LLC
Alan Miller, Founder and Principal of Understand-IT LLC, has more than 30 years of experience in many aspects of small business IT and software development, including full-stack IT support for small businesses and medical practices, software development for business and medical workflow and print solutions, course development for business professionals and developers and end-user training on many aspects of secure computer use.
Alan's current focus is in the areas of IT Security and Business Continuity - keeping bad things from happening and minimizing the impact when they do.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Secretary
- Secretary of the Board of Directors
With Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (CMT) since 1976, Bernie is a source of wisdom and guidance for clients and employees alike. Recently passing the baton of leadership as Director of Water Resources, he continues to help our team as an adviser as we continue to improve upon the planning, engineering and management skills that CMT is known to command. In addition to his engineering work, he has directed CMT's Human Resources since 2012.
Bernie Held has 41 years of progressive engineering experience in the water and wastewater industry in Illinois. A graduate of the Missouri University of Science and Technology with a degree in Civil Engineering, he has worked as a resident engineer, design engineer, project engineer, project manager, program manager and principle-in-charge. Held has been leading CMT's planning, design and construction phase services for nearly 20 years. Held has managed multimillion dollar programs for various municipal clients in the Fox River valley. He has designed innovative projects involving CSO treatment in Decatur, a facility producing class A solids in accordance with USEPA 503 regulations, a unique deicing treatment facility at Rockford, and led $28M and $40M water improvement programs for the cities of Aurora and West Chicago, Illinois. He is well versed in regulatory matters in the water industry and through his leadership of CMT's Human Resources since 2012. He is an active member of the Illinois Water Environment Association and was inducted into the 5S honor society of the organization in 2017. He is a sitting member of the Miner Alumni Association Board at his alma mater.
Held has four grown children and thirteen grandchildren.
His motto is "do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason".
Brent's analytical skills and supervision experience of both union and nonunion workers will make your company money. He has worked on bridge construction as well as steel mills, refineries, commercial projects, schools, hospitals and strip stores. He has also constructed lift and pumping stations along with drinking water, storm and sanitary sewer distribution. He has taught construction related classes at various institutions.
Brent currently presides over Mounts & Associates Construction Services. Brent was a Senior Project Estimator for Powers & Son's Construction Company, he was a Division Manager for Young Plumbing, Inc., and an Estimator/Project Manager for McAllister General Contractors.
Brent is currently the Chief Estimator for USMCA. He is a faculty member on the HACIA/April Cobra/St. Augistine ISHTA Project working as a Technical Assistance Instructor.
Job Titles:
- Dean of Entrepreneurial Training Institute ( ETI )
- President / Founder of Construction Management Consortium
Dr. Gale B. Frazier, President/Founder of Construction Management Consortium, has over twenty five years of experience in construction management and education. Dr. Frazier has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee State University; a Master of Science in Project Management from DeVry University-Keller Graduate School of Management; and a Doctorate in Education from Roosevelt University. Dr. Frazier is the Dean of the USMCA Entrepreneurial Training Institute.
Formerly, she has worked for such companies as, AT&T/Illinois Bell Telephone, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Northrop Corporation DSD, Rush Medical Center in the capacity of Assistant Director of Construction Management, Truman College, Rush University and South Suburban College where she taught Project Supervision and Construction Estimating. She presently serves on the advisory board for Dawson Technical Institute's Highway Construction Training Program and as Chairperson of the National Black Agenda Consortium.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President of Cross Rhodes Reprographics
Elmer Rhodes, President of Cross Rhodes Reprographics, has been in the design construction printing industry for over 30 years serving Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana. As a pioneer to the Reprographic network, he has helped hundreds of clients to adopt Document Management best practices that has saved his clients time and money.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Vice President
- Vice President of the Board of Directors
- President CEO of Complete Mechanical Piping
Herman Pride is the President CEO of Complete Mechanical Piping. Named Minority Contractor of the year 2018, he has obtained certification in MBE, DBE and CMS. Herman began his career as a pipefitter journeymen and earned his way to become Superintendent before venturing out to start his business. He received his education in Electrical Engineering from IIT in Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Kenneth M. Webb Sr. is a retired 32-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Co-founder, and President of Fact Finders Group, Inc., He served in the United States Marine Corps Air Reserve. In most of his Law Enforcement career, he has served in specialized units, which include (Internal Affairs, Organized Crime, and the Patrol Division). He is a licensed Private Detective and Private Security Contractor in the State of Illinois and Indiana. Current Positions: President Echo Foundation. Member Business Leadership Council (BLC), Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), Board of Directors of Chicago State University Alumni Association
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
Michael A. Houston, CCM, LEED, AP BD & C is Vice President of Institutional Operations at Ardmore Associates. Michael has more than 20 years of experience in construction management and leads Ardmore's Institutional and Buildings Group. This challenging role allows him to concentrate his passion on managing the firm's vertical projects-public buildings, educational facilities, commercial properties and hospitals and clinics. In his management position he provides operational leadership and relationship development among industry peers and clients.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President and CEO of Trim 's Trucking, Inc
Michael Trimuel is President and CEO of Trim's Trucking, Inc. which is an Illinois-based MBE/DBE Certified trucking company servicing the entire Chicagoland area. Michael established Trim's Trucking, Inc. over 25 years ago. The company is now a fully-equipped trucking company with over 30 years of expertise in the trucking and construction industry.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board of Directors
- Founder and Principal of Kaletech
- Member of American Society of Civil Engineering
- Professional Engineer
Mr Chetan Kale is the founder and principal of Kaletech, LLC. Before starting his own company Mr Kale has worked extensively on major civil engineering projects in Chicago land area. Mr Kale has over 20 plus years of experience in all facets of Civil Engineering
Mr Kale was part of the design team for a major runway expansion project at O'Hare International Airport. He has also worked on the Masterplan studies with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
His design experience includes Water Treatment Plant Design, Storm Sewer modeling, Energy Neutrality Studies, Drainage design, Sanitary Sewer study, Sewage Treatment plant studies and Industrial Waste treatment.
He has a B.S in Civil engineering from University of Mumbai (VJTI) India and MS from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago specializing in Environmental engineering.
Chetan Kale is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois, Indiana, & Wisconsin. He is also a LEED accredited professional and has worked on Gas & Energy projects assisting contractors who were pursuing LEED certification.
Professional Affiliations:
Chetan Kale is a member of American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, President of Architecture, Engineering and IT division US-Minority Contractors Association.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
- MPA, MDiv., President / CEO
Rev. Larry S. Bullock served for eight years with distinction in the Illinois House of Representatives and continues to remain active in national - community affairs and Ecumenical work. Reverend Bullock founded and served as Chairman, Heartland Energy Technology [H.E.A.T LLC] which specialized in Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, General Contracting, Real Estate Development and global venture consulting. He is the recipient of scores of national and state awards for outstanding accomplishments and achievements in the public policy field, business innovations and economic development and Christian missionary endeavors.
He also served on the SISCO National Advisory Multi-Cultural Market Advisory Board. He received the 2006-2007, SuccessGuide Worldwide Magazine [www.fraser.net.com], "Top Achievers" award as a global leader in business networking. He is a nationally sought after motivational speaker and Gospel Preacher.
Job Titles:
- National Strategic Development Consultant
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Finance
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President / CEO of Aseret Development Series LLC
Teresa Hollingbird-Jackson, President/CEO of Aseret Development Series LLC dba THJ Construction, has over nine years of experience in project management, construction management, and interior design. Teresa has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DeVry Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Business Administration from DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management; and an Associate Degree in Kitchen/Bath Design from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Teresa is the USMCA Chairperson of the West Town Chapter, Chairperson of the Manpower Committee, and Task Force Committee.
Teresa is certified as a WBE, MBE, DBE, FBE, SBSP, Sec 3 Business, and RRP. She has worked on several construction projects with companies such as, Karry L Young Development, Breaking Ground Incorporated, Method Construction, KasiDesigns, and UJAMMA Construction. She presently serves on the Diversity Advisory Council for the Illinois Tollway.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member Emeritus of the Board
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
Vivian McGrew is the President/CEO Steiner Security Services Inc. Vivian received her degree from Benedictine University, and is a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program of Entrepreneurship. She found her passion in security at an early age. She began as a security officer and soon became a manager. Vivian became well versed in the industry needs and practices, which sparked a desire to structure and own a company and brand.