January 2021 Newsletter

Next PBDG Meeting 

Upcoming Classes

Partner of the Month

Stacy and Witbeck is one of the nation’s largest heavy civil construction companies, specializing in construction of light rail, streetcar, and commuter rail systems. We have been in Portland since 1994, proudly constructing and improving the area’s transportation infrastructure. We have constructed much of TriMet’s MAX system as well as the WES commuter rail and have built all of the city’s streetcar lines. In addition to our rail projects, we’ve even built parks for the City of Portland!

Steve Wood is a Vice President of Stacy and Witbeck and one of our most experienced project managers. With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Steve has managed major projects in Portland and Seattle, as well as projects further afield including California, Wisconsin, and even Egypt. Steve is a graduate of California State University, Fresno, with a BS in Civil Engineering.

Mark Bodyfelt is Stacy and Witbeck’s Area Manager with oversight of all construction operations in Oregon and railroad maintenance services in Washington. Mark has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry and has been instrumental in the success of many of the area’s most high-profile passenger rail projects. Mark is a graduate of Oregon State University with a BS in Construction Engineering Management (CEM).

Over the past few months, Stacy and Witbeck has put our approach to diversity and equity under a microscope and implemented a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Steering Committee to make a powerful and positive impact on our company, and hopefully our industry as well. Envisioned and developed by our President and supported by all levels of management at Stacy and Witbeck, the DEI Steering Committee was formed to help us all focus on the importance of supporting our diverse employees and creating initiatives to better our company that will stick long-term. We don’t have all the answers today, but we’re grateful for the opportunity to be part of the conversation and part of the change. Our industry and its leaders must collectively work towards making sure that the same opportunities that individuals like myself are afforded, are available to all. As leaders, we can and must open doors and remove obstacles—and it is time.

In the coming years, significant increase in infrastructure spending across the country and in our region will not only reshape the landscape but create unimaginable opportunities for minorities and women.  The leaders in the construction industry must continue and grow their commitments to groups like PBDG to not only expand capacity of existing certified firms, but to discover and cultivate new opportunities for minorities and women.  Without growth of the workforce, these future projects will struggle to fill skilled craft positions.  Construction industry leaders will continue to push labor unions and support groups such as Construction Hope or Women in Construction to create training opportunities and living wage jobs for minorities and women to fill these need craft positions.

We would like to give a quick shout out to Kenechi Onyeagusi and Sam Kim for the commitment to getting the PBDG Mentor- Protégé Program up and running.  Their commitment to pushing Maurice’s vision forward will help build the capacity the industry needs. Stacy and Witbeck has been a PBDG Partner and active sponsor since June 2019. The work PBDG does to support and train the certified and small business firms in the region is essential to not only the success of individual firms but also to the industry and region continued growth and success. PBDG firms we’ve worked with include: A2 Fabrication, Inc., Alcantar and Associates, All About Flagging, Azuri Construction, Champion Sweeping, Espousal Strategies LLC, F M Burch and Associates, Inc., Faison Construction, Just Bucket Excavating, Inc., McDonald Excavating, Inc., MSD Construction, LLC, Northwest Infrastructure, O’Neill Construction Group, Pacificmark Construction, Professional Lath & Plaster, R&R General Contractors, Safeguard Security, Inc., Shadow Guard Security Group Corp., Sterling-Pacific, Valley Growers Nursery & Landscape, Inc., Zana Construction.

Give us some fun facts about you (a quirk, skill, hobby or interesting past):

Mark: Growing up, we never lived in a finished house, my dad was always working on it, so we learn hands on from a young age. When I got to OSU I discovered you could get a degree in construction and never looked back.

Steve: First project assignment out of college, for a kid born and raised in Southern California, was going from the California Bay Area to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on a two-month assignment in the summer. How bad could that be – summer in the Midwest, which turned into 4 months, still not so bad, then into 4 years!  Winters are tough in Wisconsin, but I met my future bride while chilling in the Midwest.

Industry News

IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE APPLYING FOR ANY GRANTS, PLEASE LET US KNOW

small business repair grants available for portland businesses

Many Portland businesses have experienced an unprecedented level of stress and anxiety as a result of recent economic shocks. The Local Small Business Repair Grants will use existing tax increment funding (TIF) resources and funding allocated by City Council to provide near-term support for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Grants up to $10,000 will be available throughout the city where businesses have immediate repair needs that do not require a permit.

As part of their application, businesses will need to submit:

• Business/organization information
• Statement of impact
• Scope of improvements
• Estimated cost of repair

Prosper Portland will review applications as they are submitted. Applications will be approved based on eligibility.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Workers’ Compensation and COVID-19

Workers who have been exposed to COVID-19 at work may be entitled to have their lost wages and medical expenses covered by their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance. Employers cannot retaliate or discriminate against a worker for filing a workers’ compensation claim or for raising workplace safety concerns.

For more information, go HERE or call 800-452-0288 (toll-free).

Oregon State COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program

The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services (DCBS) announced a new program to help people who work in Oregon and need to quarantine or isolate due to COVID-19 exposure, but do not have access to COVID-19-related paid sick leave. People who qualify will receive a $120 per-day payment for up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time they are required to quarantine. To see if you meet the eligibility requirements, take this eligibility quiz, or see the requirements on the DCBS site. Employees can apply online at oregon.gov/covidpaidleave. The application form is available in English, Spanish, and Russian. 

Find more info here.

Northwest Infrastructure Position Opening – Project Engineer

Northwest Infrastructure specializes in heavy civil construction and offers excavation, demolition, underground utilities, and dump trucking services. They are currently looking to hire a Project Engineer that is highly motivated, with a demonstrated passion for excellence and taking initiative, has a strong work ethic, and is willing to do what it takes to get the job done right the first time.

Click here to view the full list of position responsibilities, requirements, and how to apply!

Will you be working on City of Portland, Multnomah County, Metro, Washington County or Port of Portland Projects?

The City of Portland, Procurement Services team has been performing outreach to our partnering organizations and certified firms about the Clean Air Construction Standard Requirements https://www.portland.gov/omf/brfs/procurement/clean-air-construction for the past year. We are offering technical assistance to certified firms to help them understand the requirements, assess their fleet, make a plan and prepare to access funding assistance.  This requirement is going to happen and we want certified firms to be prepared and be in compliance.  Stacey Foreman, Sustainability Coordinator in Procurement Services has been working diligently with our hired consultant Kevin Downing, Skookum Environmental Advisors to offer this FREE technical assistance to businesses and time is running out!  The requirements are being phased in 2022.  We are already approaching 2021. 

The city is being proactive in offering this technical assistance and we are strongly encouraging you to be proactive in taking advantage of this opportunity.  See additional information below.  This is something that businesses with fleet/construction equipment  have to be aware of and act on as it going to be the “WAY WE DO BUSINESS”.  Please contact Kevin Downing with Skookum Environmental Advisors: 503.539.0610 or kevin@skookumea.com to make you appointment,  You can also visit their website at: https://skookumea.com

Thank you to our january class sponsors!

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Visit our covid-19 resource page for a more comprehensive list of resources

Do you have to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19, but don’t have paid time off?

The COVID-19 Temporary Paid Leave Program is available to people who need to quarantine or isolate because of COVID-19 exposure or are experiencing symptoms and need a medical diagnosis, but do not qualify for COVID-19-related paid sick leave (or do not have access to COVID-19-related paid time off).

If you meet all of the eligibility requirements, you will get a $120 per-day payment, up to 10 working days ($1,200 total) for the time you need to quarantine or isolate.