Air traffic control and aviation expert Oscar Lewis, president of The Lewis Company, visits the P3 Project podcast to discuss the recent midair collision of a military helicopter and passenger airplane near Washington, D.C. Lewis provides his insight on the accident and shares why DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) had nothing to do with this mishap. Lewis also discusses his journey to building a successful business in logistics management, aviation science and engineering services.

The Lewis Company is based in North Carolina and has Orlando, Florida, and Virginia offices. Visit https://thelewiscompanies.com/ for more information.

Shelton Russell, publisher of American DBE Magazine, is the host of the P3 Project. Visit http://www.americandbe.com

Kadilex Construction President Karl Jefferson Jr. joins the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs podcast to discuss his success in building a full-service Ironworking company in the infrastructure and transportation industry. Jefferson shares his experience of starting the business in 2010 specializing in rebar installation on bridge and highway projects but has expanded the company to include a variety of steel-related services. Jefferson shares how programs like the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (DBE) and others are helping minority-owned businesses to build capacity, gain market share and achieve success. Learn more about Kalidex Constructions at www.kadilexconstruction.com

Jacksonville Transportation Authority CEO Nathaniel P. Ford Sr. and WSP USA Senior V.P. and National Transit and Rail Market Leader Jannet Walker-Ford visit episode #33 of the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs. Both Fords share their journey as a married couple maintaining a thriving relationship while serving as leaders and transportation industry executives. They also discuss their philosophies on effective leadership in maximizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in their organizations, and how they are preparing the next generation of diverse professionals to assume leadership positions in the infrastructure and transportation industries. Nat and Jannet conclude the conversation by discussing how they advance opportunities for DBE, minority- and woman-owned businesses in their organization, and how organizations like the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) and WTS International help advance the mission of creating a more diverse and inclusive industry. Shelton A. Russell, publisher of American DBE Magazine is the host of the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs podcast.

Episode #32 of the P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs features a conversation with father and daughter entrepreneur duo Steven Davis and Monique Allen. Davis is President & CEO of Construction & Engineering Services Consultants, Inc. in Jacksonville, Florida; and Allen is President of ACMS Northwest, LLC in Portland, Oregon. Both minority business leaders are growing successful enterprises as DBE firms in the infrastructure and transportation contracting industry. Davis and Allen discuss obstacles they have overcome to remain successful, how they attract and retain quality employees, and the people who have inspired their success. The P3 Project for Diverse Entrepreneurs is hosted by Shelton A. Russell, publisher of American DBE Magazine. 

Fairpointe Planning, LLC CEO and Principal Tanisha Hall visits the P3 Project podcast and shares her journey to growing a successful business in the transportation planning industry. Hall talks about her business strategy when starting the company, the importance of getting certified as a disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) and a woman-owned business (WBENC); and how these certifications helped the company grow. Hall gives her thoughts on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) -- also know at the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. She also gives advice to aspiring DBEs about strategies to accelerate their success in the transportation industry and in government contracting. Visit https://fairpointeplanning.com/

Legacy Rail Operations co-owners Gregory White and Jeffrey Wright visit the P3 Project podcast to share their journey towards DBE success in building a rail operations consulting firm helping transit agencies across the country improve the design, construction and operation of passenger rail systems. The brothers discuss uniting Jeff's extensive experience working in rail operations at Chicago Transit Authority with Greg's business acumen and entrepreneurial experience to create a unique firm in the marketplace adding value to its clients. The brothers also discuss working together to build the company and carving out a niche in their market. http://www.legacyrail.com/

DIGroup Architecture President Vincent Myers, AIA, LEED AP visits the P3 Project to share his firm’s history as a merger of three architecture firms coming together to maximize their collective opportunity. Vince also talks about being a second generation architect after his father, Harvey Myers, became one of the first African American licensed architects in the state of New Jersey. He discusses the firm’s strategy to take advantage of upcoming opportunities coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and how he is maximizing the firm’s MBE and DBE certifications to add greater diversity in the design, engineering and construction industries. https://digrouparchitecture.com/

Messer Construction Vice President - Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer Stanford Williams shares his company’s best practices for increasing the participation of MBE, WBE and DBE firms in supplier diversity efforts on construction projects. As a member of the company’s executive leadership team, Williams works directly with Messer President and CEO Timothy J. Steigerwald and other leaders to ensure inclusion and diversity is practiced throughout the company and on all construction projects, maximizing spending with minority businesses and women-owned businesses. Williams also shares his innovative and forward-thinking approach to developing employment opportunities for diverse workers using a wholistic approach to personal development and job training, called the Urban Workforce Development Initiative. Visit https://www.messer.com/economic-inclusion/

Talson Solutions, LLC Founder and President Robert S. Bright shares the history and accomplishments of his DBE and MBE-certified consulting firm specializing in construction auditing and capital project consulting. Bright talks about the role of a construction auditor, new industry opportunities coming from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and how to pursue international business opportunities. He also shares his passion for giving back to his community and for growing a successful business to be an example for other entrepreneurs to follow.  Talson Solutions is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. https://talsonsolutions.com/

Onyx Enterprise, LLC President and CEO Tarolyn Buckles shares her firm’s story and journey toward success. Buckles is an engineer and entrepreneur building an engineering consulting, program management, and construction management firm based in Detroit, Michigan. Onyx Enterprise provides construction inspection services, materials testing and water/wastewater engineering. The firm is a certified woman-owned and minority-owned business that is also DBE certified in several states. Buckles talks about the value of training, mentoring and development programs in her firm’s success; and also how these programs helped with building relationships and marketing her company. Visit www.onyx-enterprise.com