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.

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.

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”.

Teresa Hollingbird-Jackson, President/CEO of Aseret Development Series LLC dba THJ Construction, has over nine 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 is the USMCA Chairperson of the West Town Chapter, Chairperson of the Manpower Committee, and Task Force Committee.

Teresa is certified as a WBE, MBE, DBE, FBE, SBSP, Sec 3 Business, and RRP. She has worked on several construction projects with companies such as, Karry L Young Development, Breaking Ground Incorporated, Method Construction, KasiDesigns, and UJAMMA Construction. She presently serves on the Diversity Advisory Council for the Illinois Tollway.

 

Dr. Gale B. Frazier, President/Founder of Construction Management Consortium, has over twenty five years of experience in construction management and education.  Dr. Frazier has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Tennessee State University; a Master of Science in Project Management from DeVry University—Keller Graduate School of Management; and a Doctorate in Education from Roosevelt University. Dr. Frazier is the Dean of the USMCA Entrepreneurial Training Institute. 

Formerly, she has worked for such companies as, AT&T/Illinois Bell Telephone, Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Northrop Corporation DSD, Rush Medical Center in the capacity of Assistant Director of Construction Management, Truman College, Rush University and South Suburban College where she taught Project Supervision and Construction Estimating. She presently serves on the advisory board for Dawson Technical Institute’s Highway Construction Training Program and as Chairperson of the National Black Agenda Consortium.

Cory Melchor is a recent graduate from Loras College, where he earned a double major in Marketing and Business Administration as a first-generation student. During his time at Loras, Cory was a dedicated member of the Men's Soccer team from 2020 to 2023. He achieved the prestigious honor of being on the dean's list in both 2023 and 2024.

In June of 2024, Cory joined the U.S. Minority Contractors Association as a Digital Marketing Specialist/Manager Member Services. He is passionate about expanding his knowledge in marketing through hands-on experience and is eager to contribute his skills and enthusiasm to our team. 

Brent's analytical skills and supervision experience of both union and nonunion workers will make your company money. He has worked on bridge construction as well as steel mills, refineries, commercial projects, schools, hospitals and strip stores. He has also constructed lift and pumping stations along with drinking water, storm and sanitary sewer distribution. He has taught construction related classes at various institutions. 

Brent currently presides over Mounts & Associates Construction Services. Brent was a Senior Project Estimator for Powers & Son's Construction Company, he was a Division Manager for Young Plumbing, Inc., and an Estimator/Project Manager for McAllister General Contractors. 

Brent is currently the Chief Estimator for USMCA. He is a faculty member on the HACIA/April Cobra/St. Augistine ISHTA Project working as a Technical Assistance Instructor.