Board of Directors

USMCA - Board of Directors - Rev. Larry S. Bullock, MPA, MDiv., President/CEO

Rev. Larry S. Bullock, MPA, MDiv., President/CEO

Rev. Larry S. Bullock, MPA\MDiv, [‘73],  President and Founder of the US Minority Contractors Association [USMCA]. Former President, Roosevelt University Alumni Association [RUAA], Former member of the Roosevelt University Board of Trustees; Senior Pastor, Living Faith Cathedral Worship [LFCWC Church], and Owner and President, April Cobra Enterprises, Inc. [Construction Management, General Contracting,  and Real Estate Development firm], Barrington, Illinois.  

Rev. Larry S. Bullock served for eight years with distinction in the Illinois House of Representatives and continues to remain active in national - community affairs and Ecumenical work.  Reverend  Bullock founded and served as Chairman, Heartland Energy Technology [H.E.A.T LLC] which specialized in Construction Management, Environmental Engineering, General Contracting, Real Estate Development and global venture consulting. He is the recipient of scores of national and state awards for outstanding accomplishments and achievements in the public policy field, business innovations and economic development and Christian missionary endeavors.  

 He also served on the SISCO National Advisory Multi-Cultural Market Advisory Board. He received the 2006-2007, SuccessGuide Worldwide Magazine [www.fraser.net.com], “Top Achievers” award as a global leader in business networking. He is a nationally sought after motivational speaker and Gospel Preacher.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Herman Pride - Vice President

Herman Pride - Vice President

Herman Pride is the President CEO of Complete Mechanical Piping. Named Minority Contractor of the year 2018, he has obtained certification in MBE, DBE and CMS. Herman began his career as a pipefitter journeymen and earned his way to become Superintendent before venturing out to start his business. He received his education in Electrical Engineering from IIT in Chicago.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Bernard D. Held, Secretary

Bernard D. Held, Secretary

With Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc. (CMT) since 1976, Bernie is a source of wisdom and guidance for clients and employees alike. Recently passing the baton of leadership as Director of Water Resources, he continues to help our team as an adviser as we continue to improve upon the planning, engineering and management skills that CMT is known to command.  In addition to his engineering work, he has directed CMT’s Human Resources since 2012.

 

Bernie Held has 41 years of progressive engineering experience in the water and wastewater industry in Illinois. A graduate of the Missouri University of Science and Technology with a degree in Civil Engineering, he has worked as a resident engineer, design engineer, project engineer, project manager, program manager and principle-in-charge. Held has been leading CMT's planning, design and construction phase services for nearly 20 years. Held has managed multimillion dollar programs for various municipal clients in the Fox River valley. He has designed innovative projects involving CSO treatment in Decatur, a facility producing class A solids in accordance with USEPA 503 regulations, a unique deicing treatment facility at Rockford, and led $28M and $40M water improvement programs for the cities of Aurora and West Chicago, Illinois. He is well versed in regulatory matters in the water industry and through his leadership of CMT’s Human Resources since 2012. He is an active member of the Illinois Water Environment Association and was inducted into the 5S honor society of the organization in 2017.  He is a sitting member of the Miner Alumni Association Board at his alma mater.

 

Held has four grown children and thirteen grandchildren.

 

His motto is “do the right thing, at the right time, for the right reason”.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Teresa Hollingbird-Jackson, Chair, Finance

Teresa Hollingbird-Jackson, Chair, Finance

Teresa Hollingbird-Jackson, President/CEO of Aseret Development Series LLC dba THJ Construction, has over 12 years of experience in project management, construction management, and interior design. Teresa has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DeVry Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Business Administration from DeVry University Keller Graduate School of Management; and an Associate Degree in Kitchen/Bath Design from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Teresa has been appointed as the USMCA Presidential Council Chairperson of the USMCA 13 Chapters. Teresa was the 2018 Minority Contractor of the Year. She is also in the process of taking her state exam as an Illinois Residential Leasing Agent.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Michael Houston

Michael Houston

Michael A. Houston, CCM, LEED, AP BD & C is Vice President of Institutional Operations at Ardmore Associates. Michael has more than 20 years of experience in construction management and leads Ardmore's Institutional and Buildings Group. This challenging role allows him to concentrate his passion on managing the firm's vertical projects-public buildings, educational facilities, commercial properties and hospitals and clinics. In his management position he provides operational leadership and relationship development among industry peers and clients.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Chetan Kale, P.E.

Chetan Kale, P.E.

Mr Chetan Kale is the founder and principal of Kaletech, LLC. Before starting his own company Mr Kale has worked extensively on major civil engineering projects in Chicago land area. Mr Kale has over 20 plus years of experience in all facets of Civil Engineering 
Mr Kale was part of the design team for a major runway expansion project at O’Hare International Airport. He has also worked on the Masterplan studies with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
His design experience includes Water Treatment Plant Design, Storm Sewer modeling, Energy Neutrality Studies, Drainage design, Sanitary Sewer study, Sewage Treatment plant studies and Industrial Waste treatment.  
He has a B.S in Civil engineering from University of Mumbai (VJTI) India and MS from Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago specializing in Environmental engineering.
Chetan Kale is a licensed professional engineer in the State of Illinois, Indiana, & Wisconsin. He is also a LEED accredited professional and has worked on Gas & Energy projects assisting contractors who were pursuing LEED certification. 

Professional Affiliations:
Chetan Kale is a member of American Society of Civil Engineering (ASCE), American Water Works Association, Water Environment Federation, President of Architecture, Engineering and IT division US-Minority Contractors Association. 

USMCA - Board of Directors - Elmer Rhodes

Elmer Rhodes

Elmer Rhodes, President of Cross Rhodes Reprographics, has been in the design construction printing industry for over 30 years serving Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana.  As a pioneer to the Reprographic network, he has helped hundreds of clients to adopt Document Management best practices that has saved his clients time and money.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Michael Trimuel

Michael Trimuel

Michael Trimuel is President and CEO of Trim’s Trucking, Inc. which is an Illinois-based MBE/DBE Certified trucking company servicing the entire Chicagoland area.  Michael established Trim’s Trucking, Inc. over 25 years ago.  The company is now a fully-equipped trucking company with over 30 years of expertise in the trucking and construction industry.

Trim’s Trucking, Inc. is a recognized entity with the U.S. Department of Transportation, The Illinois Commerce Commission, and Dunn & Bradstreet. The company has been MBE/DBE certified by the State of Illinois, BEP, the City of Chicago, METRA, CTA, and IDOT since 2002.

Michael Trimuel is dedicated to serving and giving back to those less fortunate by donating time and resources to various non-profit organizations. He is also known for providing great leadership and mentorship to business owners who are new to the construction and trucking industry.

USMCA - Board of Directors - Kenneth M. Webb, Sr., B.A., M.P.A.

Kenneth M. Webb, Sr., B.A., M.P.A.

Kenneth M. Webb Sr. is a retired 32-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department. Co-founder, and President of Fact Finders Group, Inc., He served in the United States Marine Corps Air Reserve. In most of his Law Enforcement career, he has served in specialized units, which include (Internal Affairs, Organized Crime, and the Patrol Division). He is a licensed Private Detective and Private Security Contractor in the State of Illinois and Indiana. Current Positions: President Echo Foundation. Member Business Leadership Council (BLC), Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC), Board of Directors of Chicago State University Alumni Association

USMCA - Board of Directors - Vivian McGrew, Board Member Emeritus

Vivian McGrew, Board Member Emeritus

Vivian McGrew is the President/CEO Steiner Security Services Inc.  Vivian received her degree from Benedictine University, and is a graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program of Entrepreneurship.  She found her passion in security at an early age.  She began as a security officer and soon became a manager.  Vivian became well versed in the industry needs and practices, which sparked a desire to structure and own a company and brand.  

In 2003 Steiner Security Services was birthed and launched with 12 employees.  Today Steiner Security has grown to employing over 200 employees and servicing over 35 clients (private and government sectors).

Steiner is currently certified and holding the following credentials:  SBA (8a), WBE, MBE, DBE, DEP, WOSB and ACDBE.  Vivian has been featured as one of the moderators for the 8(a) Small Business Conference regarding Best Practices for 8(a) participants.

Vivian is currently serving as a national board member for USMCA and Chairperson of the Southland/Indiana Chapter.  Other memberships are:
American Association for Industrial Security (ASIA)
South Suburban Chamber of Commerce
Oak Forest/Crestwood Chamber of Commerce
South Suburban Tourist Chamber

In her spare time, Vivian assists others at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church when she serves as the Vice President and Service Coordinator of the Usher Board.