NEW ORLEANS – CH2M, a global engineering and consulting firm that delivers sustainable development solutions for infrastructure and industry, has partnered with Good Work Network (GWN) in New Orleans to launch a mentor-protégé program for 12 high-performing minority and women-owned companies working in coastal restoration and water management.
The four month program will focus on skills development, increasing networking and exposure and capacity building. Good Work Network, a non-profit that provides business development services to minority and women-owned businesses throughout the Greater New Orleans area, selected the businesses that will participate in the program.
The Mentor-Protégé Program will offer courses that will provide the small businesses with expertise in business planning, alternative financing, contracts, risk management, procurement, project management, quality health and safety and proposal writing. At the end of the program, the protégé companies should be better positioned to compete and grow their businesses. CH2M has successful mentor-protégé programs in Baton Rouge, Atlanta, and Houston.
“CH2M is committed to long-lasting relationships with the Good Work Network and small, diverse business partners in the New Orleans community,” said Carlos Giron, vice president of CH2M. “This Mentor-Protégé program will provide a meaningful foundation for our business partners to learn, operate, and grow into independent and more successful enterprises.”
“Good Work Network is honored to partner with CH2M to create the Mentor-Protégé Program for New Orleans small and minority owned businesses,” said Chuck Morse, director of GWN’s ConnectWorks Program. “This program is perfectly aligned with the work we do every day to provide business development services to minority and women-owned businesses. Having a global leader like CH2M work closely with the participating companies will elevate their ability to perform and increase their opportunities to compete and succeed in the future.”
The companies participating in the program are:
• ILSI Engineering
• Engineering Consulting Services, Inc.
• Livers Construction
• JEI Solutions
• C&R Contracting Services
• JC Patin Group
• Clay Construction Group
• Quality First Marine Construction
• Delta Marine Support
• Mendez Group, Inc.
• Garden Doctors
• Trucking Innovations
The program is slated to begin in April.
