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Saturday, November 4, 2000

Contractors told to seize the day
Today's strong economy presents clear choices, speaker says
By Andrea Jares
Caller-Times

Paul Iverson/Caller-Times

John Avila Jr. of Thos S. Byrne, Inc., General Contractors told participants at the Hispanic Contractors Association de Tejas convention that now is a good time to ‘grow your business.’
With the rolling economy bringing enough construction projects to pick and choose from, now is the time for local contractors to grow their company, says the leader of one of the largest general contractors in the nation.
   But contractors should go for quality, not quantity in finding the right jobs.
   "You don't have to take a shot in the dark to grow your business right now," said John Avila Jr., president and CEO of Fort Worth-based Thos. S. Byrne, Inc., General Contractors. "You can take a rifle shot in your selection of what you do. "This is the time to grow your firm, using that approach," he said.
   Avila spoke Friday at the Hispanic Contractors Association de Tejas' fifth annual Convention and Exposition at the Omni Marina Hotel in Corpus Christi. The convention ends today.
   In today's robust economy, building opportunities abound. The key, Avila said, is choosing the best jobs that will grow a company.
   "It takes determination, it takes networking with the people you know to get the right opportunities," Avila advised.
   Avila also encouraged contractors to get involved in economic development in their communities to bring new growth and more projects to their cities. Construction is the fourth largest employment sector in the United States, he said.
   "It's a win-win," Avila said. "They are bringing in new business and new revenue to a city - and then they get to build it."
   To find the wealth of projects, contractors need to look no further than the exposition, which continues today from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. More than a billion dollars worth of public and private construction contracts will be open for bids at the hotel.
   The contracts come from companies and government agencies that have construction plans and budgets in place for the coming year.
   "We want more people to come out and look for more opportunities for small businesses," said Rolando Barrera, vice chair of the association's South Texas chapter, which represents Nueces County contractors. Some of the most popular sessions at this year's convention, Barrera noted, were those focusing on construction law and collection of payment for jobs. This year's conference drew more than 350 people from all over the state.




Business writer Andrea Jares can be reached at 886-3678 or by e-mail at jaresa@caller.com

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