The 1st African-American Owned Railroad Construction Company In the U.S.
by Phyllis Cunningham
Valor and integrity are words that come to mind when you meet Melvin E. Clark, Jr. Esq., founding owner of the Metroplex Corporation. A gifted leader, Mr. Clark is currently the Chairman, Cheif Executive Officer, and owner of G.W. Peoples Contracting Company, Inc. a DBE/MBE/SBE certified contractor specializing in top quality construction, repair and maintenance of railroad tracks and related facilities, as well as construction and maintenance of railroad right-of-way and rail transit infrastructure.
Amidst a career spanning over three decades, Clark has earned a reputation as an unflinching trailblazer and a staunch advocate for minority and disadvantaged businesses. He holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from Penn State University, a Juris Doctorate from Northwestern University School of Law and a Masters in Management from Northwestern University’s Kellor Graduate School of Management.
Making the Cover of “American DBE” Magazine
A British novelist said, “If you have the will to win, you have achieved half your success; if you don’t, you have achieved half your failure.” Throughout his academic, professional and entrepreneurial journey, Melvin E. Clark, Chief Executive Officer of G.W. Peoples Contracting Co. has exhibited the will to win.
“I am chairman, CEO and owner of G.W. Peoples Contracting. We are the only African American-owned firm in the country that builds railroads,” Clark said. “This fact simply underscores the problems encountered and the progress that has yet to be made if we—minority and women-owned businesses—are to play a meaningful role in building and rehabilitating the transportation infrastructure in America. We have a corporate —and I have a personal—commitment to ensure that our workforce reflects the communities and the ridership that the transit system serves.”
Three decades ago, Clark entered the railroad industry because he saw an opportunity – and had the undeterred will to win.
Transportation & Infrastructure – Diversity – Annual Report 2013
Transit
We have identified an inequity in the application of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals on publically-funded transit projects. Large prime contractors, including railroad construction contractors, exhibit an entrenched reluctance to use non-traditional disciplines to fulfill DBE participation goals. Currently, DBE goals are applied for the total project.
We believe that actions that limit minority participation to “traditional” trades are in disregard of the true intent of the DBE program, i.e., to redress discrimination and remove barriers to full participation of DBEs in opportunities within each area of contract competencies and within all fields of work.
We recommend that DBE participation goals be established for each phase of a project, including engineering, design and construction, and for each discipline.
Railroads
There simply must be a unified position, an affirmative and unequivocal plank in the CBC political platform to promote actions designed to ensure opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses in railroad infrastructure construction. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and its federal rail programs have no statutory authority – and therefore, no program – to provide for inclusion of small and disadvantaged businesses.
Ensuring fairness and diversity among those projects that receive taxpayer dollars and demanding accountability from the recipients of those funds is a fundamental role of the government, and we believe that what is good for every other agency under the purview of the U. S. Department of Transportation should be good for the FRA. In addition to being a pragmatic political stand, it just makes for good public policy and practical business sense.
We recommend an Executive Order to mandate inclusion of minority and disadvantaged groups across all U.S. DOT contracts including those funded under the FRA.
Melvin E. Clark Jr., CEO, G.W. Peoples Contracting Co. Inc.
07.01.2012 | SBN Staff | Pittsburgh | Entrepreneur Of The Year
FINALIST / CONSTRUCTION
Melvin E. Clark Jr. grew up with the idea that helping people is a good and honorable thing — and he’s incorporated that philosophy into his life in business. The son of an evangelical minister, Clark has built a network of friends and associates who believe in his leadership style and who want to help him succeed in whatever endeavor he pursues.
Clark began his career as a corporate and labor attorney before launching his first business, which just happened to be the nation’s first minority-owned railroad construction company. He worked hard to build it into a success and then sold it so he could pursue his dream of providing help to small businesses.
Clark spent several years as a consultant to G.W. Peoples Contracting Co. Inc., a company that was in dire need of strong leadership. Eventually, Clark took control of the company, and as CEO, he began to infuse his relationship skills into the organization to restore its reputation and stability.
Based on the reputation he had built for himself over the years, and with trust as the foremost core value and principle, Clark was able to bring along people he knew well to help get GWP back on its feet.
His team has executed a wide range of both heavy and light-rail construction projects that have turned the company’s fortunes around. At the same time, GWP’s safety and quality standards have been met and exceeded, resulting in an organization that continues to grow.
But it’s Clark’s personal skill as a leader and mentor that is truly the key to success. New leaders are being developed every day, helping the culture to grow as well.
G.W. Peoples Contracting Company Inc.
Fast Track to the Future
Produced by Victor Martins & Written by Jeanee Dudley
Melvin E. Clark Jr., chairman and CEO of G.W. Peoples Contracting Company Inc. (GWP), has been in the railroad
construction business for over three decades. Clark’s experience led GWP to become a national leader in the industry. The company’s Northern Virginia headquarters is backed by GWP’s two regional offices, which are located in Chicago, Ill., and western Pennsylvania. “We specialize in railroad, transit and related construction activities,” explains Clark. “That includes new rail construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, repair and demolition.”
GWP has left a geographic footprint across the country, helming projects from Los Angeles to Virginia, and up and
down the Eastern Seaboard from Albany, N.Y., to Atlanta, Ga. With such an extensive reach GWP’s clients include
public transit authorities, the Department of Defense and private-sector companies.
This impressive portfolio is due in part to GWP’s more than capable team, which begins at the helm. “I began working with GWP as a mentor and consultant in 2005, and joined the firm as CEO in 2010,” says Clark. “I then purchased 100 percent of the stock in 2011.” At that time Clark was charged with the task of restoring GWP’s reputation and stability, thus ensuring the company’s future viability.
Before his journey with GWP Clark founded Metroplex in 1982, which quickly grew into the premier minority rail
construction contractor in the United States. Metroplex was sold to UK-based international engineering/construction firm Balfour Beatty in 2000. When Clark became an executive at GWP, he brought more than his legal and business acumen with him; he brought an extensive background in finance, administration, public policy and philanthropy. Clark’s leadership, expertise and vision, paired with his sharp and experienced management team, allows GWP to boast a clean bill of fiscal health, producing over $14 million in annual sales today. Clark’s bio is impressive, as he was nominated for the 2012 Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young and currently sits on several prestigious boards and participates in associations that support small and minority business inclusion in publicly funded infrastructure projects.
Clark’s multiple recognitions fit well with the company’s core values and principles: trust, equal opportunities, creativity and innovative thinking, honesty and teamwork. Clark emphasizes this last one, saying, “Our employees are this company’s most valuable asset.”
Professional Power
GWP employs 160 people between the three branches. “We have the best staff in the world,” says Clark. His management team is experienced and comprised of several executives he has worked with in the past.
Ralph Golick, senior vice president of construction at GWP, is one of those trusted employees. “Ralph worked on some of the largest transit construction projects in the country,” says Clark. “He has been responsible for over $100 million in work, and really has some really significant experience in this business.”
Bill Frey, vice president of operations at GWP, is yet another asset, as he has been with the company since 2000. Bill’s background includes 22 years of railroad experience, and his work history encompasses leadership roles in all aspects of construction, operation and maintenance. Bill was a valuable addition to the company, as he worked with Metroplex for many years. “After the purchase, I was able to persuade Bill to join us,” explains Clark.
Building the Future of Transportation Between 2010 and 2012 GWP has been involved in several major infrastructure projects. “In Norfolk, Va., we did an entire rail system,” says Clark. “We are currently building the downtown streetcar system in Atlanta. We’re also performing construction on the Red Line Renewal Project in Chicago, on the MTA in New York, and on a number of private rail jobs in Virginia, Ohio and West Virginia. We’re already working 24/7 with multiple crews on multiple projects at a time. We are very proud of what we have accomplished.”
The team has plans to expand into the high-speed rail business as well. California’s state senate passed a bill granting $8 billion for a high-speed rail system in July 2012, and naturally GWP is getting involved. In addition, federal loans and grants are being dispersed along with private funding to support high-speed rail systems in Nevada and Florida.
“We’re looking to partner with other major contractors, many part of public-private partnerships on these high-speed lines,” says Clark.
GWP has already established a board of advisors building a vision for a larger company. “We have a path and we are getting ready to hire more young talent,” Clark adds. “Our marketing department and human resources are both utilizing social media and web marketing to reach out to identify new opportunities and fresh talent. We’re already the premier minority rail contractor, but we want to be known as the country’s best rail contractor,
period.”
GWP has the capability to perform on large design-build rail construction projects, start-to finish, utilizing an in-house team of experienced executives, project managers, engineers, technicians and field personnel. The company has the performance history, experience and equipment to provide quality rail systems that meet both the needs of clients and the highest safety and infrastructure standards, as required by federal, state and local regulation.
The GWP team values innovation, quality and safety above all else, and adheres to a mission of honesty and integrity. “Our biggest performance indicators are community involvement, job creation, and enhancing the strength of our reputation in the rail transit construction industry,” says Clark.
His personal dedication to serving community is shared by his colleagues and he says it is rooted in his upbringing. “My father taught me to do well by doing good,” explains Clark. “We’re trying to make a positive difference: an impact in our community, the rail industry and minority business.” Clark serves as Trustee for the Church in the Round in Aliquippa, Pa., in addition to supporting the church and Beaver County, Pa.’s local family life center, with his time and through his generous financial contributions.
Clark carries on his father’s commitment to excellence in his own mission to excel and compete with the largest rail
contractors in the country. Additionally, Clark and his team are making important networking decisions that are already establishing growth for GWP in several sectors. The business’ executives are leading the way for new technology, sharing best practices for safety and innovation, as well as staying ahead of the curve on legislative and regulatory trends. G.W. Peoples Contracting Company Inc. has been expanding the horizons of the U.S. rail system
for two decades, and Clark is looking forward to a future of accessible, high tech transit across the country.
High-Speed Rail!
Time Magazine declares “… high-speed rail is an idea whose time has come… According to Environment America, high-speed rail uses a third less energy per mile than auto or air travel, and a nationwide system could reduce oil use by 125 million bbl. a year. In addition, high-speed rail represents the kind of long-term infrastructure investment that will pay back for decades, just as the interstate highway system of the 1950s has.”
In January 2010, President Barack Obama announced $8 billion for development of high speed rail in designated corridors throughout the country. California, Nevada and Florida, using a mix of public and private funding sources, appear poised to break ground in 2013, while other states are readying plans to follow suit. (Link to U.S. High Speed Rail Association:http://www.ushsr.com)
G.W. Peoples is prepared to be your strategic High Speed Rail partner.