Feature
Participants in the Austin Commercial Mentor-Protege program celebrate graduation in Dallas, Texas.
Austin Commercial MAKES DIVERSITY A DIFFERENTIATOR By American DBE Staff
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any prime contractors approach Diversity and Inclusion from a compliance perspective with the goal of only taking the actions necessary to meet the contractual obligations of their clients. In these organizations, inclusion initiatives occur only when a client makes it a part of the solicitation or contractual process. However, there are a few contractors that take the next step to make diversity and inclusion a business imperative; and thereby cultivate a true differentiator in the marketplace. Austin Commercial (Austin) has taken this approach to create an award-winning diversity
program for subcontractors that is regarded as a leader in the construction industry. This paradigm shift has not gone unnoticed in the marketplace. Over the past two years, Austin has received national awards from construction and transportation industry organizations like the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC), American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA), Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO), and Federation of Women Contractors (FWC).
Austin’s recognition stems primarily from the company’s successful diversity efforts on several highprofile airport construction projects across the country. Austin has completed – or is currently working on – projects that include: Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Charleston International Airport, Tampa International Airport, among many others. These projects have set a standard for the application of innovative and authentic strategies to expand business opportunities for diverse Winter 2019 //
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