Coleman and Associates, Inc.
Diversity consulting for the architecture, engineering, and construction industries
We build relationships. We bring value. We increase your capacity to succeed.
WELCOME TO COLEMAN AND ASSOCIATES, INC.
ABOUT US
Coleman and Associates, Inc. is a consulting firm focused on outreach, program development, and capacity building to increase the utilization of women and minority-owned business enterprises in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. We engage public and private sector clients that are focused on creating meaningful partnerships, growth opportunities, and inclusive business communities.
- MUNICIPAL
- STATE AGENCIES
- K-12
- PRIVATE SECTOR
RELATIONSHIPS
Business success is built on trust and a history of performance. In order for trust to be built between an agency and diverse vendors, a relationship must be established between the agency and diverse business service provider.
Our approach is diverse vendors and owners are vetted before introductions occur. We believe by working closely with diverse vendors and agencies to understand mutual concerns and risks a pathway to trust is accelerated.
VALUE
In the construction industry value in its most basic form is meeting schedule on budget safely at prescribed quality levels. Workforce diversity and procurement diversity are re-defining value between owners and construction firms as part of corporate and social responsibility mandates.
Our approach is to help our public and private sector clients define and identify opportunities to implement sustainable strategies that address this new definition of value.
CAPACITY
The ability of a construction firm to take on larger projects over time consistent with their skill and expertise is our definition of capacity.
Our approach is to work with public and private sector clients to identify diverse construction companies and undertake specific initiatives designed to build a long-term partnership that contributes to building capacity of their diverse partners and suppliers.
MEET THE TEAM
Fred Coleman III
Founder, CEO
Dr. Fred Coleman III has 30 + years of experience in academia and business. His civil engineering background combined with his marketing and business development expertise makes him ideally suited for procurement diversity leadership in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Dr. Coleman’s work in procurement diversity has assisted public agencies, owners and private developers create and execute sustainable inclusive procurement opportunities and engagements for minorities, women, and veteran-owned business enterprises.
Helen J. Coleman
Co-founder
A 30+ year veteran, Helen is a highly valued leader skilled in team development, organizational goal-setting, strategic planning and implementation.
Her experience in managing planning, design, capital construction, and commissioning teams / leading an entire Big 10 University facilities unit, provides her with a unique skill set for understanding client/owner issues and developing initiatives that assist diverse businesses to partner effectively.
Ayanna Coleman
CMO
A 10+ year veteran in business development, marketing, and digital media platforms, Ayanna is an established and savvy digital media marketing expert with her own consulting firm, Quill Shift LLC. With experiences in business research, strategic development of companies, and digital marketing campaigns, her skills are a strong asset to help diverse businesses enhance their profiles and leverage marketing technology.
Services
Program Assessment & Development
Program Assessment & Development
We assess current MWDVBE programs for voluntary and statutory requirements, establish Best Management Practices, develop sustainable architectural/engineering/construction MWDVBE utilization programs, and assist in establishing MWDVBE goals.
Diverse Business Development Services
Diverse Business Development Services
We develop business plans, create branding materials and professional websites, and provide agency certification assistance.
Program Support
Program Support
We perform community and vendor outreach, procurement monitoring, RFP/Bid process support, and vendor prequalification support.
Diverse Business Professional Development
Diverse Business Professional Development
We provide webinars that take the audience step-by-step through business solutions, online technical training through e-courses for you to learn at your own speed on your own time, and individualized and hands-on business process improvement.
CAI by the Numbers
OUR WORK
A sampling of recent projects
Transportation Services Center, $3.9 Million Project
During the bidding and construction of districts’ bus fleet maintenance and facility services building, the challenge was to meet or exceed M_WBE goals.
The construction diversity goal was 4% WBE and 6% MBE.
After performing multiple services like creating pre-bid meetings, scaling bid packages, establishing good faith effort criteria, and evaluating good faith effort submittals, the construction diversity goal was surpassed with the achievement of 15% WBE and 11% MBE.
Our Schools, Our Future Facilities Master Plan
During the Facilities Master Planning process encourage community engagement through group meetings and electronic notification targeting fifteen neighborhood homeowner associations, eight advocacy organizations, and several ethnic organizations.
2016 Publicly Regulated Utilities Annual Diversity Report
Featured presenter during public hearing. Methodology presented to measure
qualitative and quantitative performance against public statute requirements.
District Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Bus Infrastructure Project
Establish Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Goals
City of Champaign Majority-Minority Contractor Luncheon
CAI organized and presented a panel of experienced minority and women business enterprise contractors to share challenges, resource needs, and strategies for success at this annual luncheon. The panel content was compiled and served as input into the City’s amendment of its Equal Opportunity in Purchasing Ordinance (EOPO) and laid the groundwork for the Champaign Diversity Advancement Program (CDAP).
The RFI
Click the images to discover CAI articles providing support, guidance, and news for a more inclusive business community and workforce.
Whether through referrals, reputation, or a connection with those previously unknown, an “introduction” between a prime contractor and subcontractor is extremely beneficial. In this article, we’ll shed light on exactly why they are so important for both sides.
What’s a well-known fact throughout the construction industry? Conflicts and disputes are a normal part of the project process. So if conflicts are expected, what’s the best course of action to handle them? Being prepared, and we’re going to break down some key steps you can take to get the best possible outcome without fitting it out in court.
The continuation of CAI’s CEO Fred Coleman’s June newsletter opening, this article provides key takeaways for what agencies, majority contractors, minority contractors, and A/E professionals can do to make valuable, sustainable change in the construction industry.
For the sake of progress, growth, and the prosperity of your company, make sure you are not leaving precious market opportunity “stones” unturned that could provide good business for your company. Need some direction on where to look? Read this article.