» HAS Newsroom
Houston Airport System
March 23, 2007
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On Valentine’s Day in 1996, Gregg Reyes and his wife, Becky decided to start their own business.
What started out as a two-member team 11 years ago is now a successful minority-owned business with 150 employees. That total includes Gregg, the president of Reytech Construction Resources, Inc. and Becky who serves as the chief financial officer.
Reytech, like many minority-owned businesses was invited to participate in a project known as the Airport Proximity to Opportunity Forum, co-hosted by Houston City Councilmember Jarvis Johnson and the Houston Airport System.
One of Johnson’s goals is to help small businesses in his district, find new opportunities.
“The Airport Proximity to Opportunity Forum will affect HAS tremendously as well as the City of Houston by providing job and economic opportunities across the board,” says Johnson. “It is important to have more venues in which minority contractors have the opportunity to network with each other.”
The Forum was designed to educate small and minority-owned businesses about contact opportunities, mandatory certification, the application process and procedures.
It’s a program strongly supported by Rick Vacar, Director of the Houston Airport System (HAS), who is overseeing major expansion and upgrades at all three airports in Houston.
“Frequent business opportunities arise at HAS,” says Vacar. “The networking done today will allow more minority companies a chance to become familiar with the playing field and eventually become more successful. “
Vacar offers three critical pieces of advice to those seeking business with the airport system.
Businesses must have the mandatory certification from the City of Houston’s Affirmative Action and Contract Compliance office (AACC).
“Volume is not the key when applying for a contract,” says Vacar, “don’t flood the system with extra paperwork; merely highlight your strengths for the project in question, and make sure to provide enough proof that your company is right for the job.” |
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© Houston Airport System
Business opportunities for minority entreprenuers was the subject of discussion today at HAS. |
In order to participate in the forum conducted by the HAS Small Business Development and Contract Compliance division (SBDCC), businesses had to qualify under one of four categories: Minority-Women Business Enterprises, Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprises and Small Business Enterprises.
J. Goodwille Pierre, SBDCC Manager, wanted to introduce minority business owners to contractors that work with HAS.
“We wanted to communicate with the minority community and bring some prime contractors to them for job opportunities,” says Pierre. “Consistently positive people eventually win. To make business opportunities available, it is important to keep in contact and have your voice heard.”
Some future contracts that will be up for bid at the airport system include terminal renovations, runway rehabilitation at both George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, an automated people mover extension and a drainage master plan.
Gregg would love to land one of these projects.
After struggling for three years, he decided to get certified. He says after that, great opportunities followed allowing him better networking options, and access to new contracts. He wants to help others climb the ladder of success.
“More minorities are getting college degrees and starting their own businesses and many opportunities have and will become available due to this forum” says Reyes.
Gregg’s message to small contractors is simple, “Be persistent, keep knocking on doors and never give up.”
To obtain more information on how to participate in future networking opportunities, contact the SBDCC office at 281.233.7823.
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