LA Stories
Transformative Progress: Our 2023 Community Impact Report
As Brown recently put it, “For as much as it’s about the building that’s coming together, it’s about the building of lives that’s happening as well. It’s hard work but it’s also heart work.”
Subcontractor Spotlight: Mark Richey Woodworking
In 1981, Mark and Teresa Richey co-founded a full-service woodworking business that designs and builds precisely what their clients want – uber-customized, complex, high-end interiors and exteriors…The firm is certified as a Minority/Woman-Owned Business Enterprise and committed to bringing its inclusive subcontracting and hiring practices to the historic Obama Presidential Center project. Equally impressive is the firm’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
Meet Heather Yario Rice
For Women’s History Month, Lakeside Alliance spoke with Heather about how her journey in the industry, how working on the Center has impacted her and more.
Meet Elaine King James
For Women’s History Month, Lakeside Alliance spoke with Elaine about her journey in construction, overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field and more.
Meet Sandya Dandamudi of GI Stone
For Women’s History Month, Lakeside Alliance spoke with Sandya about how GI Stone is preparing for installation, her legacy as a second-generation woman owner in construction and more.
Meet Margaret Caspers Booth of Concrete Collective
For Women’s History Month, Lakeside Alliance spoke with Margaret about her role on this historic project, the advice she’d give to other women considering a career in construction and more.
Meet Shannon Coomes of Hill Fire Protection
Ask Shannon Coomes how she became the owner and president of Hill Fire Protection at the age of 30, and she will tell you, “I’m self-made and self-motivated.”
Meet Sharonda Williams of B.B.D. Trucking
Sharonda Williams grew up around trucks. She has fond memories of riding alongside her dad in his hauler as a little girl. He founded B.B.D. Trucking in 1978, and it has been a part of her family’s culture ever since. One of her brothers is trained to do mechanic work, another brother holds a CDL, her mother is president of the company and her father serves as vice president. B.B.D. Trucking Co., Inc. is certified in trucking, excavation and grading. As assistant vice president, Williams is the conductor who drives the business and works with various subcontractors.
Subcontractor Spotlight: John Keno and Company, Inc.
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight John Keno and Company (JKC), a third-generation, family- and veteran-owned small business that has performed construction and excavation work on some of Chicago’s most iconic sites.
Subcontractor Spotlight: BrightView
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight BrightView, one of the nation’s leading commercial landscape companies.
Subcontractor Spotlight: Spotlight Cleaning Service Inc.
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight Spotlight Cleaning Service Inc, the very first vendor to begin work on the historic Obama Presidential Center project.
Subcontractor Spotlight: Air Design Systems
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight Air Design Systems Inc, one of only a handful of women-owned sheet metal/HVAC businesses in the United States.
Subcontractor Spotlight: IBuilders Corp.
Lakeside Alliance is proud to spotlight Ibuilders Corp., the firm that was awarded the the general trades carpentry package for the Obama Presidential Center project. For this Subcontractor Spotlight, we spoke with IBuilders’ President and Owner, Marco Romero. Read on below!
Second Generation Plumber and Navy Vet Shawn Marsh Shares Hopes for the OPC and More
Lakeside Alliance caught up with the U.S. Navy veteran ahead of Veterans’ Day on November 11 to thank him for his service, learn more about his journey in the industry and hear about his greatest hopes for the OPC.
A Hispanic Heritage Month Interview with Jorge Escarpita and Luis Puig
Jorge Escarpita, founder and president of Escarpita Construction, and Luis Puig, president of ALL Masonry, have conquered barriers and bias in the industry, and won. Both agree that winning key roles in the creation of such a high-profile, large project is especially meaningful for them and their respective businesses.