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.

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

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

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

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.

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!"

Goethe

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

MILES TRAVELED PER YEAR
Projects Delivered
Satisfied Clients
Winning Awards

OUR WORK

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

CAI was engaged to develop and execute a disadvantaged business enterprise outreach plan to attract and involve disadvantaged business enterprises in the construction of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District Hydrogen Fuel Cell and Bus Infrastructure Project.
CAI services included identification of construction scopes of work, statewide outreach campaign, and the planning, coordination, and execution of pre-bid
meeting(s).

Establish Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) Goals

CAI services assisted real estate developers pursuant to the city’s statutory redevelopment agreement by identifying construction scope, the MWBE expertise for scope of work, the MWBE vendor outreach methods, the MWBE vendor pre-qualifications, and the construction solicitation bidding language to incentivize majority prime bidders to engage MWBEs.

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

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.
Why Introductions are Important Between Prime Contractors and MWBE Subcontractors
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.
How to Manage Construction Conflicts and Dispute Resolution
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.
Moving from Protest to Economic Equality
MWBE Certification: Why Diverse Businesses Should Get Certified
MWBE Certification: Why Diverse Businesses Should Get Certified
With many states throughout the U.S. planning to reopen by the end of May, the following resources have been developed to help those in the AEC industry prepare their offices and job sites for returning employees.
[Resource List] How to Re-open Your Job Site During COVID-19
Lightbox with
How to Look to Other Construction Industry Sectors for Business Growth

Testimonials

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