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Versión en Español
ALLIANCE GENERAL CONTRACTORS LLC
A different kind of company
By: Gina Reyna
 When you are 107th among the
“Top 500 Hispanic Business 2005”, you are not simply elite, you are sought after
worldwide. For this reason I contacted Mr. Wendel P. Torres, the President of
the company Alliance General Contractors LLC, a Springs-based construction
company. Among their services are: general contracting, custom-building,
construction management, new facility construction, renovation of existing
buildings, tenant improvements and land development.
Like others, this story has a humble beginning. Mr. Torres, born in West
Point, NY, is one of 7 siblings, 5 sisters and 1 brother. His father hailed from
New Mexico and his mother from Pueblo. An instructor at the US Military Academy,
his dad worked in construction many years and was the most important influence
in Wendel’s life. The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1976, joining others
who had arrived in 1965. From a young age he worked with his dad. Each school
break he was in the construction field, learning the family business.
Torres remembers the recession in Colorado Springs within construction. He
would work in enterprise in California while completing projects here.
In October of 1987, he broke off into an independent venture, his dad helping
him launch the business for the first 2 months. Next he was joined by his
brother, and during the time they worked together, they managed $287,000 in
gross sales. He remembers that it was really hard in the beginning. “It takes a
lot of patience to handle the opportunity of major projects. I would pay
everybody first before I could receive my profits. I invested my own money,
sometimes waiting for several months for my paycheck from the client. Most
difficult was the “good ol’ boy” attitude in small town Colorado Springs which
afforded few chances for minorities”. But, over time, they saw the company
through as business statewide grew.
With his Bachelors’ in Business Finance from the UC-Boulder, added to 25
years of construction experience, his passion for building is apparent. He has
maintained his General Contractor License and earned a US Army Corps of
Engineers Quality Control Training Certificate. Torres states his mission: “To
provide overall business direction, oversight and coordination for company, as
well as provide management guidance and leadership to all program managers,
project managers, and technical and administrative staff” for all to read on his
web page.
He knows what its like to be a minority with big dreams. “The opportunities
have come with difficulty here, despite recognition. All minorities have a
struggle when in business.
I work with minorities in my own company, but sad to say, there is tension
and difficulties among us. In all my years in this business, only a single Latin
business has called us for a project. But I continue to have many Hispanic
employees. We started working with government contracts because it was easier
than competing with the larger companies.” Next, they opened Gateway
Construction, with his current business partner and Vice President, Brad Hix.
When asked about the reasons why businesses don’t succeed, he responded
precisely, “These people had begun by anticipating something different from
business and are unwilling to work with other minority businesses”. And, showing
leadership, he recommends, “we need to cultivate relationships…which takes
patience. Currently, we have 109 employees, all who place the client's needs
first, knowing the client is always right. We treat our employees very well. We
are honest because it is good business.”
Torres has known success, meeting his goal of $8 million in annual gross
sales, and over the course of 5 years, achieving $87million in gross receipts.
Ever since the beginning, they factored in all the variables, practicing
personal accountability for everything. Now, staffed by 24 full time
professionals in their fields, including 7 project managers, 2 professional
engineers, and a number of sales reps, Torres reports, “The bad thing is the
lack of capable Latino professionals…I want to see a change, I'd like to see
Hispanic professionals in salaried positions.”
Nowadays, everybody is asking about the secret of his success. Torres, after
a moment's pause, will passionately respond, “The Hispanic people need to stay
in school. They need to go to college. Their parents need to know this is so
important. Don’t continue on with the same customs, don’t be a typical
statistic. Continue. Be involved in the community. It’s not just about making
money. I do other things, I am on the Board of Directors of Children’s Literacy
Center and I try to help other institutions like the American Businesswomen’s
Association, etc, because I want to see a change. I learned to be respectful
with the elders, and be aggressive in business.”
But, what’s is the meaning of “success” for Torres? “While my company manages
the growth we anticipate, we will maintain a good corporate culture among staff
and therefore good client relationships. We would like other businesses to see
us as trustworthy and honest.”
As for his personal life? Without pause, Torres emphasizes it's important to
“Be a good family man…a good father…help the rest of the family as much as I
can. I want to be seen in the community as a person who has worked hard, who has
good relationships and friendships.” Wendel and his wife Marcy have 2 daughters:
Katie, 6 years old; and Allison, 3 years old.
He doesn’t take all the credit for his success, Torres quickly gives
recognition to his business partner and Vice President, Brad Hix. Hix possesses
a BS in Construction Management and 12 years' experience in Government
Construction Contract Administration. His particular experiences include
managing, organizing, coordinating, and administration a $24million AGR
construction company. “We have the same ideas and vision. We have worked
together for 5 years and never had a disagreement. We have responsibilities not
just within the community, but also with employees. We take care of them, and we
pay them on time.”
He is also a man of vision, with $53 million in sales in 2004, and over the
next 5 years, he dreams to achieve $200 million in gross sales. “As long as we
continue with our corporate culture and with the same values, we can do it.”
So, what should you consider when starting a business? “First, you need to
have a very good business plan, to plan ahead (for the coming year, as well as
3, 5 years) accounting for all the sales, staff and resources needed. Then, have
patience in all you do. You need to believe in yourself and in what you do. You
need to understand how much it will cost you to start up this business, because
the problem is, many people don’t understand how it works. You need to cover all
the necessities first.
Sometimes people can be very proud and they don’t ask for help. But, on the
other hand, if it weren't for Hispanics, many projects wouldn’t be completed.
For example, right now in New Orleans, Hispanics are helping rebuild the city.
Also, all people, regardless of their race, need to get out of Welfare, because
it is not the answer. They can go to the next level. I know many Hispanics that
are doing an excellent job, it depends on the person. There are a lot of
opportunities to be successful, and sometimes you have to do it alone. Help
yourself. Don’t think that the government will be there to help you. A lot of
times, the people that aren’t born here work harder than the people that are
born here.”
Torres is the recipient of many awards, such as SBA's “2002 Small Business
Person of the Year”, “Business of the Year” for Pikes Peak Region Military
Installations, among many. His favorite was presented by SBA Regional District,
“Regional Minority Small Business of the year, 2002.”
In the next few months, Mr. Torres will be nominated by the Small Business
Administration, as the “National 8(a) Graduate of the Year for 2006,” as well as
the “8(a) Hall of Fame Nominee."
He has won “Best Minority Business Leader” of the year. But, thinking not
only of his company, he helps other business in their growth. He believes there
some important points for success that he humbly shares with us, “Have trust, a
good self-esteem, trust in yourself, don’t be ashamed and don’t be afraid to go
for new clients.”
Having the largest single contract in Fort Carson for $75 million plus many
other projects in the works, keeps him busy, in addition to millions of dollars'
worth of contracts with various clients.
Mr. Torres and his team don't just build, they build relationships, and his
slogan rings true, “We Build Relationships by Exceeding Expectations.”
You can learn more of Mr. Wendel P. Torres and his company at <www.AGCcolorado.com>
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