Diversity Connection Newsletter Heading
January 2015

Message from the Director

 

Lo-Res Director Coleman

The NTTA Business Diversity Department would like to share some of our 2014 accomplishments, including the launch of the largest Relationships and Opportunity Advancing Diversity class since the inception of the program in 2009.

 

In 2014, we continued to provide programs and activities, which we believe are relevant to our client base and to assist disadvantaged, minority-owned, woman-owned and small business enterprises grow their capabilities in order to compete and win contracts. 

 

NTTA achieved its highest level of D/M/WBE participation in 2013 (the most recent results). This marks the fifth consecutive year of growth following NTTA's elevation of Business Diversity to a stand-alone department in 2008. In 2013, D/M/WBE participation grew to 27.9 percent from 14.7 in 2008.

 

There was an increase in diversity participation in three of the four NTTA procurement categories. Additionally, NTTA continues to show steady growth in the number of D/M/WBEs moving into prime contractor roles.

 

As a result of our aggressive outreach initiatives, we exceeded anticipated attendance for each of the Vendor Outreach Symposiums, which are held quarterly in one of four member counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, and Denton.

 

As the New Year approaches, we look forward to creating new opportunities for D/M/WBEs in the North Texas Region, assisting them to grow and expand their businesses through opportunities with NTTA and other Cooperative Inclusion Plan member organizations.

 

Please visit our website NTTA.organd find upcoming opportunities for all categories, as well as NTTA's construction letting schedule. We look forward to working with you next year. For questions regarding all NTTA procurements email the Procurement Department: [email protected].

 

Should you have any questions or comments, we would be delighted to hear from you. You may contact the NTTA Business Diversity Department at 214-461-2007 or [email protected] .


NTTA is open for business. 

 

Anthony Coleman

Director of Business Diversity 

NTTA WINS COVETED DIVERSITY AWARD 

 

NTTA was presented with 2014 Thurgood Marshall Advocacy Award at the COMPASS Diversity Conference Nov.13 at the College Park, Marriott and Conference Center in Maryland.

 

After accepting the award, NTTA Assistant Business Diversity Director Pat Parrish spoke to conference participants about the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to enhance their supplier and workforce diversity framework.

Thurgood Marshall Advocacy Award

NTTA FEATURED AT "HOW TO DO BUSINESS" SERIES 


NTTA's Business Diversity Department was featured at a "How to Do Business" series hosted by the Greater Southwest Black Chamber of Commerce Aug. 7 at the GO Federal Credit Union Building in Lancaster.

 

Business Diversity staff detailed upcoming initiatives such as monthly Business Chat Sessions, which are conducted the second Wednesday of each month at NTTA Headquarters, 5900 W. Plano Pkwy., Plano.

 

The series gives disadvantaged, minority and women-owned businesses the opportunity to meet with public and private entities to discover their unique procurement processes, supplier diversity, and requirements for doing business. These forums also allow attendees to maximize their corporate connections, establish new relationships, reinforce their own services and capabilities, and learn about any opportunities the entities have available.

 

GSWBCC's purpose is to help disadvantaged, minority-owned businesses gain greater exposure and increased visibility which brings more revenue to businesses.

NTTA BUSINESS DIVERSITY DIRECTOR WINS AWARD


The Asian American Contractor Association of Texas presented its "Mercury Award" Dec. 17 to NTTA Business Diversity Director Anthony Coleman. The AACA annually presents the award to either a minority business enterprise or a facilitating individual who did the most outstanding job supporting its members.

 

Anuj Patel, president of the AACA Texas, presented Coleman with the award.

 

"Anthony has time and again proved to be an ardent advocate for the AACA Texas, assisting members in any way he can and providing support on several different platforms to promote diversity and meaningful participation in projects," Patel said.

 

The AACA of Texas strives to increase the visibility and reach of minority businesses by promoting and creating new avenues to expand business opportunities while also providing an opportunity for them to connect with each other.

NTTA Business Diversity Director Anthony Coleman accepts the AACA award, flanked by NTTA Director Mojy Haddad (L) and AACA President Anuj Patel

FORMER NTTA "ROAD" PARTICIPANT WINS 2014 LUNA AWARD

Sharon Douglas accepts 2014 Established Construction Company Award from John Martinez, President of the RHCA and Chairman of NTTA's Business Diversity Advisory Council along with the Honorable State Senator Royce West.

Sharon Douglas, president of Bradley Douglas Construction and 2011-2013 NTTA Relationships and Opportunities Advancing Diversity Program participant, was honored with a LUNA diversity award Oct. 31. Douglas won in the "Established Construction Company" category at the 7th Annual Luna Awards & Regional Hispanic Contractors Association Women's Business Conference at the Omni Hotel in Dallas.

 

The Luna Awards were established in 2007 by the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association and are chaired by local businesswomen in the construction, architecture and engineering professions. 

ROAD PROGRAM TEAM MIXERS

 

NTTA's Business Diversity Department schedules a series of ROAD Program 'team mixers' for program participants. The latest was hosted by Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates and their prime partner, Brown & Gay Engineers. Mixers allow participating teams to get together to discuss and exchange ideas as well as highlight accomplishments and successes achieved in the previous quarter.  

 

Steve Mason, President and CEO of Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates (L) Mike Garrison, PE Transportation Director, Brown & Gay Engineers (R)

NTTA PARTNER RECEIVES BUSINESS DIVERSITY AWARD

 

NTTA's Business Diversity Department staff continued outreach efforts with small businesses Dec. 11 at the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency's tenth annual awards at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Worth. The awards recognized the ingenuity, creativity, tenacity, and hard work of local companies that are successful at competing and succeeding in the marketplace. NTTA Chief Financial Officer Horatio Porter attended the event to recognize all the DFW award nominees and winners.

 

President and CEO of White Hawk Engineering and Design Kimberly Brooks, a participant in the NTTA's 2014-2016 ROAD Program, and a prime firm on the President George Bush Turnpike, was awarded as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise of the year.

 

The NCTRCA is comprised of 20 member entities, including DFW Airport, DART, Fort Worth Transportation Authority, and NTTA. Director of Business Diversity Anthony Coleman is a NCTRCA board member. 

NTTA HOSTS THE ASIAN AMERICAN CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS CEREMONY

 

Anuj Patel, 2015-2017 AACATX President (L)

Katherine Dress, AACATX past President (R)  

The Business Diversity Department hosted the Asian American Contractors Association of Texas' 2015-2017 board of directors swearing-in ceremony and fourth quarter general membership meeting Nov. 13 in NTTA's Boardroom.

 

This free event was open to all business professionals interested in contract opportunities with NTTA. Current Collin County BDAC representative, Cindy Dao and past BDAC member Galileo Jumaoas both attended.

 

Business Diversity Director Anthony Coleman participated as event facilitator. Coleman spoke about building successful business relationships with NTTA and ongoing initiatives, such as the upcoming Collin County Vendor Outreach Symposium and the Second-Wednesday Business Chat Sessions regularly conducted at NTTA. Assistant Procurement Services Director Nicole Mucha gave a comprehensive overview of NTTA's upcoming opportunities and moderated a question-and-answer session for attendees. Participants also networked with each other and staff.

COOPERATIVE INCLUSION PLAN


NTTA participated in the Cooperative Inclusion Plan University's Professional Services Workshop in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Black Contractors Association, the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association and the Association of General Contractors Oct. 23. CIP partnering organizations represent a network of entities that are committed to facilitating increased diversity participation in highway procurements and providing opportunities for training, mentoring, networking and business development for D/M/W/SBE and HUB firms.

 

The forum was an interactive workshop to learn first-hand strategies for doing business in highway construction contracting. Business Diversity Director Anthony Coleman and Assistant Procurement Director Nicole Mucha spoke about NTTA diversity programs.

The CIP is a comprehensive approach to increase the number of D/M/W/SBEs and HUBs in highway contracting. The CIP provides a road map for success and aims to bring together the key highway players and contractor associations. 


 

RECAP: NTTA VENDOR OUTREACH SYMPOSIUM


 

NTTA hosts Vendor Outreach Symposiums to provide information about upcoming NTTA opportunities. VOSs are a traveling road show and a one-stop networking opportunity for prospective vendors.


The NTTA hosted its sixth Dallas County VOS, at the Dallas Fort Worth Supplier Development Council headquarters in Dallas. The event attracted more than 125 attendees. Business Diversity Director Anthony Coleman welcomed attendees to the VOS and spoke about accomplishments and affirmed NTTA's commitment to inclusion of small business enterprises in NTTA procurements.

 

Assistant Procurement Services Director Nicole Mucha conducted a "How to Do Business with NTTA" presentation. Project Delivery Manager Ijay Nkele provided information about future NTTA projects and procurements. Beverley Wright, President and CEO of Wright Choice Group gave an "Are You Built to Last?" presentation.

 

These events encourage contractors to explore the process of doing business with the NTTA.  Business Diversity staff showed attendees how to find available and upcoming NTTA opportunities online. Attendees networked following the program.  

 

Vendor addresses the crowd during VOS's "Getting to Know You" session. A VOS is a great way to promote your business

SAVE THE DATE: VENDOR OUTREACH SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULED FOR COLLIN COUNTY


 

 

We hope that you and/or representatives from your company can join us at the next vendor forum, scheduled Jan. 28 from 5:30 - 7 p.m. in the NTTA Boardroom, 5900 W. Plano Parkway, Plano.

 

Are you currently doing business with the NTTA? Please note that this event will allow you to get reacquainted with NTTA staff and provides an opportunity to network with stakeholders and other businesses.

 

If you plan on attending, please RSVP to [email protected]with your company's name and contact information. For more information regarding our outreach, please visit NTTA.org

ATTEND A SECOND WEDNESDAY BUSINESS CHAT 


D/M/W/SBE proprietors who are interested in doing business with the North Texas Tollway Authority or who wish to promote their businesses are welcome to attend monthly Business Chat Sessions.

 

Business Chat Sessions:

Inform vendors of NTTA procurement opportunities

Show business operators how to register as a vendor

Introduce vendors to NTTA stakeholders

Enable vendors to get to know the NTTA

 

NTTA staff will explain the bidding process and talk about upcoming procurement opportunities within various NTTA departments. The Business Chat Sessions are designed to provide an informal setting for vendors to meet with key decision-makers at the NTTA and to share information about their respective companies. In addition, the Business Chat Sessions allow NTTA staff to present information to vendors in a manner that is tailored to the vendors' specific industries.

CONTRACT COMPLIANCE



 

Business Diversity Department staff continues to see improvements with the Prism monthly subcontractor/vendor software system that helps to simplify vendor monthly payment reporting.

 

The contract compliance system seeks to increase efficiency and save contractors time. All prime contractors are required to complete a vendor training workshop prior to using the new contract compliance tracking system.

 

Business Diversity department staff conducts the free training workshops each month and leads vendors through an overview of the new system, and NTTA contract compliance reporting requirements.

CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION 


Please visit our website NTTA.org to find upcoming opportunities for all categories, as well as NTTA's construction letting schedule.  For questions regarding all NTTA procurements, email the Procurement Department: [email protected]

 

Should you have any questions or comments, contact the NTTA Business Diversity Department at 214-461-2007 or email [email protected].

BUSINESS DIVERSITY ADVISORY COUNCIL 

 

Consisting of business and community leaders, the NTTA Business Diversity Advisory Council helps guide NTTA in its efforts to encourage the participation of D/M/W/SBEs in NTTA contract opportunities. The group assists NTTA's Business Diversity Department with outreach activity, serves as a primary resource in identifying specific industry groups to target for procurements and helps identify barriers experienced in contracting by D/M/W/SBE programs. 

 

John Martinez-D

Chairman of BDAC

(Dallas County)

 

John Proctor

(Dallas County) 


Shannon Bettis

 (At-Large)

 

Phyllis Cole

(Collin County)

 

Cindy Dao

 (Collin County)

 

Kerry Goree

(Denton County)

 

Eddie Reyes

 (Denton County)

 

Trelaine Mapp

 (Tarrant County)

 

Luis Galindo

 (Tarrant County)

VENDOR REGISTRATION

 

Stay apprised of NTTA opportunities by registering online at NTTA.org.  Registering allows your firm to automatically receive emails for NTTA bid opportunities that match your company's registered skill sets by specific commodity codes.

 

UPCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

 

Visit NTTA.org  to find upcoming opportunities for  four industry-specific categories, as well as the construction letting schedule. 


CONTACT US

   

For questions regarding 

 vendor outreach, email [email protected] or call 972-447-3333.

 

For questions regarding business diversity, email [email protected] or call 214-461-2007.

 

For questions regarding all procurements, email [email protected].

 

Visit the Business Diversity Department online at NTTA.org for direct access to the NTTA's Diversity Policy, Contractors Compliance Handbook, compliance report forms and other helpful links. 

 

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

 

ROAD Logo  

Vendor Outreach Sympsoium

 

2nd Wednesday Business Chats

 

Cooperative Inclusion Plan

 

 

"Connecting the Dallas-Fort Worth highway transportation providers and contractor associations"

NTTA's Business Diversity Team
North Texas Tollway Authority