McKissack

Groundbreaking Initiative--AEC Unites--Launched to Increase Black Participation in the AEC Industry

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 3, 2023

WASHINGTON, Oct. 3, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today national leaders in architecture, engineering and construction are launching AEC Unites to inspire, promote and spur equity and inclusion in the AEC industry for Black talent and Black-owned businesses. Historically, Blacks have been severely underrepresented in AEC, which employs over 13 million workers—9% of the U.S. workforce. In 2022, Black workers held only 7% of all AEC jobs even though they represented 13% of all workers. By contrast, White workers comprise 77% of the workforce yet hold 87% of all construction jobs and 83% of all architecture and engineering jobs.

Key Points: 
  • In 2022, Black workers held only 7% of all AEC job s even though they represented 13% of all workers.
  • As a nonprofit membership organization, AEC Unites seeks to increase intentional opportunities for Black talent and Black-owned businesses in all facets of the AEC industry.
  • Moved to action, she enlisted industry leaders as her co-founders and is serving as AEC Unites board chair and president.
  • Building a more inclusive and just AEC industry for Black businesses, professionals and talent is a long-term endeavor.

Alana Alsop Joins McKissack & McKissack as DMV Director of Business Development

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 31, 2023

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and construction companies, announced today that Alana Alsop will head the firm's business development for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. Alsop has more than 15 years of business development and marketing experience in the AEC industry and a proven record of connecting with business leaders to develop new relationships and productive working partnerships to accelerate pipeline performance.

Key Points: 
  • But breaking into this kind of work is complex and weighted towards large majority firms," said Deryl McKissack, president and CEO of McKissack.
  • "When I met Alana through her business development efforts for other firms, it was clear to me that she would be a perfect fit at McKissack and give us an edge.
  • As director of business development for D.C., Maryland and Virginia, Alsop will support the firm's current and new client relationships, monitor markets and identify emerging trends.
  • Before joining McKissack, Alsop was director of marketing and business development for David M. Schwarz Architects in Washington, D.C. Much of her career, however, has been as an entrepreneur.

McKissack & McKissack Taps Lisa Edmonds and Nijah Barley for Key Company Leadership Roles

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 10, 2022

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and construction companies, today announced the addition of two new members to its national leadership team in its Washington, D.C., office: Lisa Edmonds as vice president of human resources and Nijah Barley as director of information technology. Each brings noteworthy core competencies and experience to the company as it undergoes unprecedented growth.

Key Points: 
  • McKissack is a great place to work, and Lisa has the skillset and strategic acumen bring that message to a new pool of talent and optimize our staffing process," McKissack noted.
  • His mantra is always 'I can figure it out, I can help you'and he always does just that," she added.
  • Edmonds has also studied HR and employment law, which McKissack sees as another strength.
  • He recalled, "I'll never forget the day when I walked in for my first interview at McKissack & McKissack.

McKissack & McKissack Appoints Girard Jenkins V.P. of Operations for the Midwest and West

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 3, 2022

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies, announced today that Girard Jenkins has been promoted to vice president of operations for the Midwest and West. The Chicago-based project executive, who has more than 35 years of experience leading public and private program and construction management (PMCM) and construction, engineering and inspection (CEI) projects, will focus on operations, profit and loss and business development in his regions.

Key Points: 
  • While he joined McKissack in 2019 as a senior project manager, he was promoted to project executive in 2021.
  • During his tenure at McKissack, Jenkins has worked on some of McKissack's most significant projects in Chicago.
  • "We have a robust, high-profile portfolio of work in Chicago, and Girard is an integral part of our team.
  • As vice president of operations for the Midwest and West, Jenkins will lead McKissack's ongoing and new projects in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin in the Midwest and California, Colorado and elsewhere in the West.

McKissack & McKissack Appoints Houston Executive Heidi Obie VP of Texas Operations

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 2, 2022

WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) companies, announced today that Heidi Obie joined the company as vice president of operations for Texas. The Houston-based executive has more than 23 years of experience leading program management construction management (PMCM) and building projects in multiple markets. She will focus on operations and P&L, and partner with McKissack's Dallas-based Business Development VP Shandra Colón to grow the firm's capacity and PMCM business in Texas and the Southwest.

Key Points: 
  • Most recently, she was a PMCM VP and business leader in the buildings, water and transportation markets in South Texas.
  • "Heidi is not only an outstanding AEC industry leader, she's also a committed and tireless business leader in Houston.
  • To that end, besides mentoring University of Houston students Obie serves on the Education Committee of the Greater Houston Women's Chamber of Commerce.
  • "Heidi has proven leadership skills and deep experience navigating the AEC industry, which will be invaluable to our company's growing operation in Texas," McKissack said.

DDOT Program Manager Diyar Bozkurt Joins McKissack & McKissack as V.P. of Infrastructure

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, October 18, 2022

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and construction companies, announced today Diyar Bozkurt, Ph.D., will head its national infrastructure practice. He comes to McKissack from the District Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., where he led some of the city's most significant infrastructure projects. His more than 20 years of civil engineering experience make him a strategic addition to McKissack's leadership team at a time when at least $19 billion from President Biden's historic $1.2 trillion infrastructure act is earmarked for the Washington metro area.

Key Points: 
  • He comes to McKissack from the District Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., where he led some of the city's most significant infrastructure projects.
  • Among his other critical assignments were program manager for the DC Streetcar , including construction of its Car Barn Training Center (CBTC) facility and deputy program manager for the DC Power Line Undergrounding (DC PLUG) program.
  • "As the nation turns its attention to improving infrastructure, we plan to expand our work with transportation departments, including DDOT," said Deryl McKissack, president and CEO of McKissack.
  • McKissack strives to work with clients to envision and deliver building and infrastructure projects that enrich people's lives and empower communities to flourish.

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Joins Forces with Gilbane Building Company, Pride Enterprises, and McKissack & McKissack to Create State-of-the-Art Pediatric Research Building

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 13, 2022

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to create the pediatric research building of the future, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has joined forces with Gilbane Building Company, Pride Enterprises, and McKissack & McKissack to construct the Schuylkill Avenue Research Building. The tri-venture Gilbane/Pride/McKissack will provide construction management services to build a state-of-the-art research facility, where researchers from different disciplines can collaborate and make discoveries that will define the next century of pediatric healthcare.  

Key Points: 
  • PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to create the pediatric research building of the future, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) has joined forces with Gilbane Building Company , Pride Enterprises , and McKissack & McKissack to construct the Schuylkill Avenue Research Building.
  • Situated next to the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research, the new 14-story, 350,000-square-foot building will have many spaces designed to encourage scientific collaboration.
  • About Children's Hospital of Philadelphia:A non-profit, charitable organization, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia was founded in 1855 as the nation's first pediatric hospital.
  • McKissack has offices in New York and Philadelphia, as well as regional offices across the country including Boston and North Carolina.

Aristocrat Gaming Continues Leadership Team Expansion, Naming Deanne McKissick as Chief Supply Chain Officer and Mark Wadley as Chief Marketing Officer

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, July 13, 2022

LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aristocrat Gaming announced today that Deanne McKissick has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer and Mark Wadley as Chief Marketing Officer.

Key Points: 
  • LAS VEGAS, July 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Aristocrat Gaming announced today that Deanne McKissick has been named Chief Supply Chain Officer and Mark Wadley as Chief Marketing Officer.
  • "Deanne and Mark's backgrounds lend a unique perspective to help take our business to the next level.
  • Previously, Mark was the Senior Vice President of Marketing, responsible for marketing strategy, branding and partnerships for the Americas Region.
  • Mark joined Aristocrat with an extensive background in healthcare marketing where he held leadership roles at bluebird bio, Medivation and Amgen.

McKissack & McKissack Taps Shandra Colón to Lead Strategic Growth in Texas and with Corporate Clients Nationwide as V.P. of Business Development

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 8, 2022

WASHINGTON, June 8, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- McKissack & McKissack, one of the nation's leading Black- and woman-owned architecture, engineering and program and construction management firms, announced today that Shandra Colón joined the company as vice president of business development in its Dallas, Texas, office. Colón, a Dallas native known as an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the commercial real estate business, will focus on strengthening McKissack's strategic partnerships in the fast-growing Texas market and with corporate clients nationwide.

Key Points: 
  • Coln, a Dallas native known as an advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in the commercial real estate business, will focus on strengthening McKissack's strategic partnerships in the fast-growing Texas market and with corporate clients nationwide.
  • She's smart, focused and sophisticated, and understands the qualities that each party needs to bring to good partnerships."
  • Coln said she plans to concentrate on the firm's K-12 education, aviation and convention business in the state and nationally.
  • McKissack strives to work with clients to envision and deliver building and infrastructure projects that enrich people's lives and empower communities to flourish.

ComEd Invests $893 Million with Diverse Suppliers in 2021

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 24, 2022

ComEd spent $893 million with businesses owned by women, people of color and veterans in 2021, or 42% of its total supply chain spend, bringing its diverse supplier spend since 2012 to $6.4 billion.

Key Points: 
  • ComEd spent $893 million with businesses owned by women, people of color and veterans in 2021, or 42% of its total supply chain spend, bringing its diverse supplier spend since 2012 to $6.4 billion.
  • Maintaining its focus on investing locally, ComEd spent $641 million, or more than 71% of its total diverse spend last year, with Illinois-based suppliers, as detailed in the companys annual report to the Illinois Commerce Commission, which regulates the states public utilities.
  • ComEd partners with 662 diversity-certified suppliers, including 153 added last year, and they work throughout the company in utility construction, engineering, and materials, among others.
  • To take full advantage of the opportunity, ComEd is partnering with diverse supplier Walker-Miller Energy Services, an energy efficiency specialist, led by CEO Carla Walker-Miller.