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Advocacy for Minority Contractors

Lively discussion at the first meeting of the year for the National Association of Minority Contractors, Oregon chapter (NAMCO). Thanks to Faye Burch, co-founder and vice president, for inviting OMB to witness the group’s meeting with Matt Garrett, executive director of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT).

Pictured above, from left: James Posey, NAMCO president; Faye Burch, vice president; Noni Causey, secretary; and Matt Garrett, ODOT.

More than 20 NAMCO members and prospective members attended the event, which offered an opportunity for a frank discussion about contracting issues with the state agency. “It was a good meeting because it helped open the lines of communication. We’re headed in the right direction, and NAMCO is eager to find ways to work with ODOT to address our concerns,” said Burch.


John Jackley (pictured below), interim Policy and Public Affairs Manager for the Portland Development Commission, announced the agency’s support of the organization by becoming a NAMCO sponsor.In addition, Pete Savage, Regional Director for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters, provided information about upcoming public and private construction projects.


NAMCO was re-established last fall to serve an advocacy role for minority contractors. According to co-founder and president James Posey, NAMCO founders heard from African American businesses in construction and trucking, and recognized the need to re-organize a chapter that can speak directly to the issues of marginalized participation by African Americans and other minorities on public projects.

On March 16, the local chapter will host delegates from the national organization. Local chapter officers will be installed at that time: Stacey Drake Edwards, executive administrator; James Posey of Workhorse Construction, president; Faye Burch, FM Burch and Associates, vice president; and Noni Causey, City of Roses Drop Box Services, secretary. Directors include: Alvin Hall, Rock and Road Construction; Mark Mathews, PacificMark Construction; and James Cason, NOSAC Construction.

Photos below courtesy of Faye Burch

Plans also are under way to put in place activities that will enable the group to achieve the following goals for 2007.

  • Build the technology capability of our membership
  • Participate in community based workforce programs to provide staffing.
  • Work to develop options for prevailing wage projects so that non-union members can fully participate.
  • Provide technical support and training programs where needed to build capacity
  • Develop new and continuing existing partnerships with local business organizations and minority chambers.
  • Recognize general contractor partners that are working well with local minority business enterprises.
  • Ensure that minority contractors have a voice in local state and federal issues that impact small businesses.

For more information on NAMCO please contact founders James Posey, 503-936-0277; or Faye Burch, 503-936-6898. E-mail NAMCO: namcoportland@yahoo.com.

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