LA Contractor Connection Winter 2021 - Spring 2022 | Page 23

CONTRACTOR SUCCESS STORIES III : MERON , INC one doing the contracting and signing jobs , you learn that estimating and contracting is an art , not a science – and one that cannot be learned academically but only through experience .”
Isaac reached out to the Contractor Development and Bonding Program ( CDABP ) after receiving an emailed flyer , because his company was ready to move from residential to industrial projects , and he was interested in the free support the Program offers to small local contractors . He enrolled in several CDABP courses , including a safety seminar , training on meeting the Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment ( PACE ) qualifications for funding , and the Construction Bidding & Estimating Academy , which gave him expert guidance and practice specific to public works contracting . “ It was very empowering to gain knowledge and skills , and the amazing staff and mentorship program has been full of helpful people . With Michelle Quirante , Robert Lowery and the other Program staff , I have an external team to assist me in every way , providing the kinds of individualized support and resources that are otherwise just not available to small contractors .”
It was at a CDABP training academy that Isaac met Ron Escobar , owner of Escobar Construction , a fellow veteran Marine who had been enrolled in the Program since 2018 ( see our separate profile of Escobar
Isaac Meron , President & CEO of Meron , Inc . ( left ) on-site with Frank Welsh , Superintendent / Project Manager for Escobar Construction ( right )
Construction ). With several years of public works experience under his belt , Escobar Construction was now a prime contractor and had been awarded a multi-year contract for a V . A . National Cemetery Administration ; Ron subsequently reached out to Isaac about bringing Meron , Inc . in as an electrical subcontractor . Notes Ron , “ Having been there myself , I see the benefit of helping other small contractors who are ready for the opportunity to move to the next level .”
After visiting the project site in Bakersfield , Isaac knew that he could handle the scope of work , and he even provided some wellreceived design improvement suggestions .
WINTER 2021 - SPRING 2022 LA CONTRACTOR CONNECTION - 23