Memphis contractors train at airport for chance to bid on pavement repair

Memphis International Airport rolled out a training program this week to groom local construction companies for a future starring role in maintenance of 5,000 acres of concrete pavement.

Students, some sporting Grizzlies, Beale Street and Tigers logo fashions, concluded a two-day class Wednesday that could help them compete for about $1 million a year in concrete maintenance work.

"A lot of contractors outside our region are winning the contracts," said airfield maintenance manager Gil Bobo. "We have a lot of contractors here, and if we train them and give them the nuts and bolts, we can keep the money local."

The class, covering topics from materials and equipment to insurance, bonding and financing, attracted about 20 managers from 10 construction companies and two airports, Cincinnati and Little Rock.

"Look around," said Richard White, vice president of properties. "The classroom's full. People are hungry for opportunities and work. We need to do everything possible to keep jobs, skills and talents in Memphis."

A Colorado company, American Civil Contractors, holds the annual contract for repairing and maintaining joint seals in the airport's runways, taxiways and aprons. The airport has the joints on a six-year replacement cycle to make sure surfaces last 25-plus years.

Bobo said it was White's idea to conduct training to bolster local businesses, particularly those with minority, disadvantaged or female ownership. Airport officials don't expect the trainees to immediately land contracts, but believe it will help them build a resume starting at smaller airports around the region.

During a demonstration in the airfield maintenance shop, Marcel Hill, owner of Charles H. Hill Contractors Inc., drifted away from the main group. Wearing a Memphis Grizzlies T-shirt, she snapped photos with her smartphone of sawing and sand-blasting equipment needed to remove old joints.

"I'm here to expand my company's lines and services," Hill said. "I'm doing concrete excavating now, and I'm looking at concrete repair. I think it's a good opportunity, and there will be lots of work. I had just seen a bid go out for the Tunica Airport when this thing (information about the training) came across my desk."

Hill looks to expand her share of airport business, having worked as a subcontractor on projects to build inbound and outbound roads and taxiways.

Janice and Gene Davis represented Davis & Davis Inc., a family business that already does concrete work and similar joint repairs.

"There's a lot of work they've done at the airport, and they didn't know we were out there," said Janice Davis, company president.

Her brother, a project manager, added, "It's an opportunity to get our foot in the door here at the airport."

The airport spends about $30 million a year on operations and maintenance and $2 million on capital projects, not counting grants from the Federal Aviation Administration and Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Vince Mazzola, president of Brooks & Mazzola Construction Co. in Collierville, said his company came in second or third behind American Civil Contractors when the contract was last put out for bids. He's hoping to have a leg up next time.

"Part of my reason for being here is networking with other airport people and the suppliers," Mazzola said.

- Wayne Risher: (901) 529-2874

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"People are hungry for opportunities and work. We need to do everything possible to keep jobs, skills and talents in Memphis."

Richard White

Memphis International Airport vice president of properties