Englewood, CO Business Leader Attends Infrastructure “Jobs of the Future” Event at White House

June 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Washington, D.C. – HCL Engineering & Surveying, LLC President J. Lloyd Herrera of Centennial met with a group of key infrastructure stakeholders at the White House yesterday, including Latino small business leaders, state and local government transit agency leaders, representatives from NGOs The American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), as well as senior Administration officials from agencies such as the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Together, they discussed strategies to create “Jobs of the Future” in the infrastructure and transportation sector, particularly in the Latino communities from which several attendees hailed.

Throughout the day, Herrera and the other participating business leaders learned more about U.S. Government policies and upcoming infrastructure projects and had the opportunity to share their success stories, best practices, and thoughts on how to continue to support job growth in the industry. The Administration has named infrastructure investment and reform – along with education, innovation, and clean energy -  as critical to job growth, competitiveness, and “winning the future” in a global economy.

“As an active participant in the transportation industry, I believe that continued investment in our highway, airport, and rail infrastructure is critical in offering economic improvement and more importantly growth for small businesses,” Herrera said.  “I have personally witnessed a positive return on the commitment and investment in Colorado’s Highway, Airport, and Light Rail Projects.”    

Administration participants included Beth Osborne, USDOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation policy; Brandon Neal, Director, USDOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization; Camille Hazeur, Director, USDOT Office of Civil Rights; Bryna Helfer, Director, USDOT Public Engagement; Rohan Patel, Associate Director, White House Council on Environmental Quality; Chris Cummiskey, DHS Deputy Undersecretary for Management;  Michael Frias, Deputy Assistant Secretary, DHS Private Sector Office; Warren Whitlock, Associate Administrator, FHWA Office of Civil Rights; and Michelle Moore, Senior Advisor, Office of the Director at the Office of Management and Budget. The event concluded with a stakeholder panel that presented perspectives from a national association, a small business leader, and a large Metropolitan transit agency.

Attendees were encouraged to take what they learned today and share the information with their colleagues. They also will continue a dialogue with the Administration and other participants.

“Today we discussed how globalization is driving a need for better intermodal connections to encourage trade — that our economy is challenged and job creation is paramount,” said Paul Yarossi, president of HNTB Holdings Ltd and chairman of ARTBA. “Our country must meet these demands or fall behind. We can do this by emphasizing and illustrating infrastructure’s return on investment.”

Added Herrera: “Our company has been able to grow our professional services firm from 14 employees to 21 employees or 150%.  We need to ensure ongoing support from the federal level so our state agencies are effectively able to forecast needed improvements not only for Colorado but for our nation. This will not only sustain our transportation systems but facilitate greater opportunities for small businesses.”

About HCL Engineering & Surveying, LLC (HCL) and J. Lloyd Herrera
A graduate of Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Civil Engineering program, President Lloyd Herrera is the co-founder of HCL Engineering & Surveying, LLC (HCL), which was established in 1999. HCL employs a multidisciplinary group of professionals experienced in developing and implementing practical solutions to complex engineering problems. Herrera’s areas of specialty include roadways, airport facilities, light rail infrastructure, site development, utility design, and water resource design.