Category: News

The Northtown Library & Apartments project continues to garner accolades, earning two important industry recognitions this month.

The American Institute of Architecture (AIA) and the American Library Association (ALA) named Northtown Library & Apartments one of four 2020 Library Building Award recipients in the U.S. and Canada. The annual AIA/ALA award is noteworthy because those selected must demonstrate design achievement, including a “sense of place, purpose, ecology, environmental sustainability, and history.”

With an estimated 71 percent reduction in energy use compared to similar facilities, Northtown Library & Apartments exceeded its sustainability goals and met the AIA’s 2030 Commitment for combating global climate change.

In addition, the Northtown Library & Apartments project was recognized by the Chicago Building Congress (CBC) with a 2020 Merit Award in the residential and hospitality category.

Congratulations to the architecture team at Perkins + Will, the three engineering firms engaged on the project, and our friends at Evergreen Real Estate Group. Building this modern, contemporary LEED design with affordable housing units located above a branch of the Chicago Public Library was an honor for Powers & Sons.

In its 47th annual list of the nation’s top 100 largest Black-owned businesses, Powers & Sons Construction rose 30 spots—up from 62—in Black Enterprise magazine’s 2019 “Top 100” list. 

The ranking equates to a nearly 157 percent increase in growth, which landed Powers & Sons in first place on the magazine’s ten-company “Growth Leaders” chart. Only one other firm achieved triple-digit growth last year.

In compiling the annual list, the magazine considers a range of factors, including total number of employees, sales by industry, annual revenue, and overall five-year trends. The largest business sectors on the list are technology and manufacturing, with about 38 percent and 24 percent of the total respectively. 

Black-owned construction companies accounted for nearly four percent of the total, ahead of the media, energy, transportation, telecommunications, and health care sectors.

In total, the companies on the list employ more than 70,000 workers and earned more than $25 billion in revenue last year. 

The Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Wayne Township in Indianapolis has awarded Powers & Sons Construction a construction manager as agent (CMa) contract for the 2021 calendar year.

The Powers team will oversee an estimated $15 million in renovations, upgrades, improvements, building additions, and expansions across the large district. The contract could be extended for 2022 and 2023, with a similar volume of work each of those years. 

Wayne Township is a large public school district on the west side of Indianapolis. It serves over 17,000 PK-12 students and employs a total of 2,500 teachers, administrators, and staff. Its properties include one preschool, 11 elementary schools, two 7th and 8th grade centers, a 9th grade center, a Ben Davis High School, an early college high school, a prep academy, and operations, administrative, and transportation facilities. 

The scope of work for 2021 will include renovations Ben Davis High School, the Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center, and five elementary schools (Westlake, McClelland, Chapel Glen, North Wayne, and Rhoades). Services to be provided include the construction of two building additions, interior and exterior improvements, HVAC and mechanical upgrades, and roofing and asphalt repairs.

Chief Operating Officer and President Claude Powers was among several construction industry leaders recently recognized by the Construction Advancement Foundation (CAF) of Northwest Indiana (NWI) for quality outcomes and performance.

According to Building Indiana Business, all of 2020 honorees “clearly demonstrated an ability to consistently exceed national industry standards while establishing projects that will benefit NWI for many years.”

Dewey Pearman, CAF’s executive director, noted winners “demonstrated repeatedly they’re not content with mediocre.” Pearman added those recognized strive to be among the region’s best.

Powers & Sons Construction was honored with the Excellence in Professional Development award. The award focuses on companies that take a proactive role in improving the workforce quality through professional development education and training across all levels of the organization. 

A cornerstone of Powers & Sons’ company culture, employees are encouraged to pursue professional development, continued learning, and professional certification in their respective areas of expertise. 

Powers & Sons supports these efforts through memberships in professional groups including the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), among others. Employees are encouraged to take active roles in local chapters, such as the Indiana Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE) and ASCE’s Indiana section. 

“Like many industries, the construction field is constantly evolving. We want employees to not only be competent in their professions, but to excel in them. Our commitment to excellence and continued professional development helps ensure our team members have relevant, current knowledge and skills. It also ensures they are aware of new trends and changing directions in the industry,” explained Powers.

Claude Powers is actively engaged in local labor and workforce development initiatives. He is a member and past chair of CAF’s board of directors and serves as a trustee on the Indiana Carpenters Pension Fund and its Apprenticeship Board.

Vice President Kelly Powers Baria is one of 46 professionals representing a cross-section of business sectors by Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC) for its 2021 Class of LGC Fellows.

The leadership development program is one of the region’s most prestigious. It is especially timely as communities in the Midwest and across the nation are experiencing renewed attention on racial and social justice issues during the historic COVID-19 global pandemic.

LGC identifies accomplished, diverse, and civic-minded leaders for the program. LGC’s goal is two-fold: (1) prepare participants to lead bold, transformative change in their home communities and (2) build a pipeline of community leaders who will impact the future of Chicago and the region.

The LGC Fellows are nominated for the program based on their personal achievements and the desire to make positive change. The selection process is competitive and includes a comprehensive application and in-person interview led by program graduates.

Those accepted into the program demonstrate early career achievement, personal leadership talent and skill, an ability to influence others for positive change, and a deep commitment to the community. They also demonstrate broad understanding current socioeconomic, political, and related issues combined with a desire and the drive to make lasting changes that will help diverse communities thrive.

During the ten-month LGC Fellows program, which begins in September, participants will study and explore key issues and challenges facing the City of Chicago and the region. They will engage in experiential learning through workshops, seminars, site visits, discussion groups, dialog with subject matter experts, and participating in cultural events.

Executive Vice President & President of the Indianapolis Office Mamon Powers, III was recognized by Indianapolis-based Junior Achievement (JA) of Central Indiana on its 2020 list of Indy’s Best and Brightest. 

 

In the event program Jennifer Burk, president & CEO of JA of Central Indiana, noted the 16th annual recognition focused on the city’s top thought leaders and change makers. Those selected for the honor were recognized not only for their professional accomplishments, character, and leadership qualities, but for the impact they have on the community. 

Of 100 individuals nominated across all categories, just ten were selected for the 2020 Best and Brightest honor. Powers was recognized as the stand-out nominee in the real estate development and construction category. 

In addition to his work in the real estate and construction industry, Mamon Powers, III is active in the local business and philanthropic communities. His accomplishments include serving as secretary of the Indianapolis Airport Authority board, executive committee member of the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC), and member of the board for the Indy Chamber, Ivy Tech Foundation, Methodist Health Foundation, and United Way of Central Indiana.

Other categories in which honorees were recognized include accounting, banking and financial services, education and nonprofit organizations, government, health and life sciences, law, manufacturing, retail and services, media, sports and entertainment, and technology.

On January 27, 2018, the 35^th annual Black Creativity Gala was held at the Museum of Science and Industry. This event was a celebration of the heritage, culture, and scientific contributions of African Americans.

Powers & Sons Construction’s Director of Business Development, Kelly Powers Baria, co-chaired the event with more than 800 guests who came out Continue reading →

On January 25, 2018 Goodwill LEADS, Inc. held a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting for the new Excel center in Hammond, Indiana. The Excel Center is a free, public high school serving students 18 and older with year-round accelerated classes Continue reading →

On Thursday, May 3rd at Olive Harvey College (10001 S. Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60628) from 2:00 to 6:00PM, Lakeside Alliance will be holding the first of several career and training opportunities fairs to connect community members to construction job and training resources. These fairs are part of Lakeside Alliance’s ongoing community engagement to help both job seekers and businesses in Chicago’s communities. Continue reading →