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Maria Monita, Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio, 2009 Contracting Advocate of the Year
"He extended me my first credit," Chang, owner of American Asphalt, says. "And since then I've met so many people and gotten so much work from this organization."
Face-to-face, old-fashioned networking is at the heart of this member-driven organization, which has more than doubled its membership from 85 in 2003 to 176 in 2008. What started as a small group of contractors in the early 1990s trying to support each other has grown into an active association adamant about offering education and training to the small, minority and upstart companies in the community. Last year, the group broke away from the bigger state association to become a stand-alone nonprofit organization.
"Our board really wants this organization to be all about the educational advancement and business growth of our members," says Maria Monita, executive director of the local HCA.
Although the national and regional real estate and construction economy is in the middle of a downturn, HCA is busier than ever with public projects and membership and renewal is up.
HCA is able to offer these classes pro bono thanks to the corporate financial support of companies like H-E-B, Zachry, SpawGlass, HOLT CAT and The Home Depot as well as the generosity of a few San Antonio professionals who have offered to teach for free. The association also holds monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at which informational officers and general contractors from the military, the city, the county and other public entities explain available work and the bidding requirements.
Individual HCA members, contractors and subcontractors pay $350 per year (corporate members pay $1,000) and have access to extensive construction management courses that offer everything from estimating, to insurance and bonding to blueprint reading, certification and accounting.
Monita and Chang, who is now on the board, say members do not have to be Hispanic. The organization is open to anyone who is interested.
The HCA de SA, Inc. is also dedicated to the furtherance of educational opportunities for those who are interested in pursuing an education in the construction trades profession at any college of the Alamo Community College District. As a result, created the HCA De SA, Inc. Scholarship
Fund, and uses an annual golf tournament for fundraising. This Year’s tournament falls on Monday October 19th at The Republic Golf Club. Visit www.hca-sa.org for more information.
