NEW YORK (TIP): NAMC 53rd Annual Conference & Affirmation Gala held on November 2 and 3, 2022 at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel was a huge success, according to  Wendell R. Stemley, CMAA, NAMC National President. The Gala, hosted by the NAMC New York Tri-State Chapter, was attended by nearly 700 guests, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NAMC Hall of Famers Nayan Parikh, Cheryl McKissack, Don Peebles, Vic Verma, Dan Moncrief, and James Posey, and many others. Mr. Stemley, in his address  said : “Over the past several years, NAMC has been deeply involved in efforts to reform small business programs. We believe our efforts are making a difference and that real progress has been made. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act strives to provide 10 percent participation for small business concerns owned and controlled by minority socially and economically disadvantaged individuals doing work with all federal agencies. This is one important example of progress. In addition, there has been an increase in the size standard for DBE firms as well as an increase in personal net worth for owners. NAMC has been working towards these changes through the previous three administrations, and the fruition of that labor is being seen.”

“We ask that you continue the good work. Our industry could not have realized these changes alone and there is a real need to continue to recognize the strength of this organization— people like yourself and companies like yours– while NAMC strives to work towards a better future for its members by growing its support base.”

Mr. Stemley thanked U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg and the USDOT team for an engaging and robust conversation with the Secretary about where we are and what we can achieve in business with USDOT. He also thanked U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)  and the NAMC  media partner, American DBE Magazine, led by Shelton Russell, who helped NAMC achieve a combined online and in person audience of over 500 people during the day panel sessions. National President’s award recipients included Vic Verma, Alpha Insulation & Waterproofing, and Yvette Stevens, Gilbane Building Company. They  were honored for outstanding service on behalf of the organization and the minority construction contractor community.

Mr. Stemley recognized NAMC  educational partners (Purdue University, Florida A&M University, University of Maryland, Virginia Tech, SUNY Dehli, Procore, and Excelsior University) as well as the two NAMC Student Chapter scholarship winners, Amy Fisher, University of Kansas, and Preston Jackson, Florida A&M University, for presenting.

NAMC’s 54th Annual Conference will be held in the Fall of 2023 in Dallas, Texas.