Business profile article I wrote on Charlotte, NC based Marand Builders an outstanding diverse supplier in the construction industry. Published in April 2008.

1. A LATINO LIFESTYLE BUSINESS & EMPLOYMENT MAGAZINE
Volume 20 Issue 4, 2008
MAGAZINE
Best of the Commitment
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Financial Institutions
Financial Institutions Leaders
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Supplier Diversity Programs
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Dollar Voice

2. Marand Builders, Inc.
Development Beyond Bricks and Mortar
by Edward Cates
“A supplier diversity program without opportunities doesn’t work. We can have meetings all day but if you don’t
create opportunities for suppliers, corporations won’t be able to develop companies.”
– Francisco Alvarado, CEO of Marand Builders, Inc.
B eing ready for the next level of perform-
ance in business requires razor sharp
focus on short term and long-term objectives
along with continued development and a
track record of successful performance.
Francisco Alvarado, CEO of Charlotte, North
Carolina based Marand Builders, Inc.
(Marand) is leading his company toward
rapid growth and long lasting relationships
that are fueling his drive towards the top.
Marand specializes in providing general
contracting services to an array of commer-
cial entities including financial institutions
and developers supporting the new construc-
tion of banking centers, office buildings and
renovations of existing buildings. Marand’s Francisco Alvarado Sonya Dukes
success today has been through a progression
from starting as a second tier subcontractor to Marand for first tier construction opportuni- Marand Builders operates upon five guid-
becoming a first tier general contractor. ties after working as a subcontractor on proj- ing principles: quality product, timely execu-
Francisco Alvarado forged his early ambi- ects for over 4 years. tion of the project, high customer service lev-
tions for entrepreneurship while working in “If I had to select a go to firm to oversee els, competitive pricing and environmental
the corporate world as a Senior Electrical the construction of our financial centers, responsibility. Alvarado’s focus on being a
Engineer. Marand Builders would be among the top of competitive construction firm is paramount
“After 14 years in the corporate world, I my list,” said Bill Wilkinson, Vice President of to their success and is complemented by their
decided to start my own business. In 1998, I Wachovia Corporate Real Estate in charge of commitment to developing other Minority
founded my first company, Alvacor, Inc. a new construction. “They have provided qual- Business Enterprises along the way.
subcontracting company for metal framing, ity work on our financial center projects, been “Corporate Real Estate represents one of
drywall and acoustical ceilings. In 1999, I competitive throughout our bid process and the most viable areas of opportunity within
obtained my general contractors license for won the business on the merit of their work our Global Supply Chain at Wachovia,” adds
commercial and residential construction and while providing sub-contracting opportuni- Sonya Dukes, Senior Vice President and
founded Marand Builders, Inc.,” said ties for other minority businesses. We are Director of Corporate Supplier Diversity.
Alvarado about his journey to current suc- proud to have them as a successful supplier “Our commitment to supplier diversity spans
cess. partner.” from our Operating Committee to every asso-
With 19 full time employees and revenues Wachovia’s commitment to creating ciate with sourcing responsibility and we will
of $4.7 million in 2007, business is on the opportunities for diverse businesses has continue to create opportunities and sustain-
upswing for Marand as the company is on translated into viable construction projects able development for diverse suppliers like
track to achieve between $10-12 million in for Marand this year. In 2008 the firm com- Marand Builders that want an equitable
revenue this year. Achieving exponential pleted construction of four new Wachovia chance to be competitive in an objective
gains in today’s challenging economic envi- financial centers with another five in sourcing process.”
ronment further demonstrates the unique progress, several up-fits for existing build- Marand Builders is interested in being an
leadership, vision and quality performance ings and anticipate completing several more outstanding company first and foremost and
Marand has established. After paying their financial centers in the next few months. their collective focus and performance is
dues as a subcontractor on multiple accounts Alvarado credits the company’s successful yielding great returns through great partner-
their commitment to excellence is paving supplier relationship with Wachovia to mutu- ships. Francisco Alvarado is appreciative of
their way toward larger projects and success- al respect and proven performance. the journey this far and takes full accounta-
ful client relationships that are yielding long- “Supplier diversity programs can be used bility for his role in developing other busi-
term development for the construction firm. as window dressing when they should be nesses as he grows.
The commitment of banking giant used to even the playing field. A supplier “Every company that is participating in
Wachovia has been an example of a client diversity program without opportunities the supplier development process has a
partnership that is catapulting their growth doesn’t work. We can have meetings all day responsibility to develop other small compa-
within the challenging construction industry but if you don’t create opportunities for sup- nies in return. We are passing along the
through supplier development. Wachovia pliers, corporations won’t be able to develop chance that we have received so that we con-
has an enterprise wide commitment to sup- companies. Wachovia has a proven supplier tinue to build stronger communities and
plier diversity and development and tapped diversity program that is not just a front.” increase opportunities for all businesses.”

3. WHEN WE E XPANDED OUR FOOTPRINT,
DAVID COLÓN TOOK STEPS TO JOIN US.
It started over coffee and eggs. Wachovia Corporate Supplier Diversity Business Manager Angela
Brown, looking for West Coast contractors with experience in building out financial centers, invited
David Colón to meet for breakfast.
Realizing that David’s firm, a $20 million commercial general contractor
company specializing in tenant improvements, was a great match for
Wachovia’s West Coast expansion efforts, Angela quickly invited David to
meet with Wachovia’s construction team.
“It’s unusual to find a supplier
diversity group that actually goes
back and tells your story to the right
people,” says David. “Wachovia
Corporate Supplier Diversity made
—Angela Brown
it easy to navigate.”
Wachovia
A strong partnership began and, so far, NK David Constructors
has built out 16 West Coast financial centers and taken on
additional projects in Arizona and Nevada, where they have
established satellite offices.
David and his 25 employees are proud to help Wachovia grow
and succeed on the West Coast. The affiliation has enabled
the 20-year-old firm to enhance training, improve processes “I’m with Wachovia.”
and upgrade computer systems and software. — David Colón, Owner,
NK David Constructors
“Wachovia is committed to developing us as a vendor to grow in other areas,”
notes David. “I’ll forever be indebted to Wachovia for selecting us. If there is
anything I can do to help Wachovia succeed more, I will do that.”
SUPPLIERDIVERSITY@WACHOVIA.COM
©2008 Wachovia Corporation. Wachovia Bank, N.A., and Wachovia Bank of Delaware, N.A., are members FDIC. 082174