ANCO IRON & CONSTRUCTION , INC . one of Anco ’ s project managers and has also been successfully running company projects . Dani is also doing a great job helping Nick run several large projects , including the Biosolids Digester , three electrical buildings on Treasure Island , and work at the Castro Theatre .
“ We have to hustle hard in the construction field , but we can be good to people along the way ,” asserts Nick . “ We give our team members the training and certifications to be successful , but also show them how to be good to others . We partner our old-timers with apprentices to help teach them , so that our younger employees not only learn to use the equipment safely and effectively , but also develop a strong work ethic and pride in what they do . Taking responsibility means taking ownership of your work – so we teach them to own their work , to excel at it and take pride in it , and then to help others level up .”
Nick has been active in three different local non-profits and cares deeply about making a positive difference in his community . He served for 7 years on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Minority Contractor ’ s Northern California Chapter ( NAMC ), where he remains an active member . He is a Board member for the San Francisco Latino & Black Builders Association ( SFLBBA ), which advocates for policies that help local minorityowned businesses get access to Bay Area contracting opportunities .
As one of the founding members of BuildOut California , a non-profit organization which promotes the participation of the LGBTQ community in the construction industry , Nick has also helped create more inclusive policies and outreach . In recent years , BuildOut has provided a significant LGBTQ workforce to renovate San Francisco ’ s historic Castro Theatre . Since its founding in 2010 , BuildOut has gone national and global . “ We ’ ve even advised Buckingham Palace in London and are expanding into Australia ,” reports Nick .
At Anco , Nick has hired , trained and mentored minority and LGBTQ tradespeople who aspire to careers in construction . “ My sister Dani and several other of our employees are also part of this community and we want to see them flourish .”
Somehow Nick also finds time to teach a civil engineering course at UC Berkeley in which he says , “ I ’ m showing students on the Steel Bridge Competition Team how to design and engineer a steel bridge in preparation for the American Institute of Steel Construction ’ s annual Student Steel Bridge Competition .” He ’ s even been able to bring in several general contractors including Swinerton , McCarthy and Clark Construction , who have agreed to interface and share their expertise with his students . Next semester , Anco will donate materials and help mentor the team throughout the building process . “ It ’ s all volunteer work , but I know what it ’ s like to not be able to find work , so I am dedicated to supporting others in gaining the skills ,
FIRST QUARTER 2025 CONTRACTOR TOOLS - 15