After retiring from the Air Force, Ricardo Carlo worked in the private sector, training associates, but something was missing. He needed a role that would provide more meaning and satisfaction.
He found what he was looking for in the Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona. Now in his 18th year as president of the organization, Carlo found his inspiration and embraces the challenge in front of him each day.
“I will continue to act as a conduit to assist diverse firms with education, training, networking and opportunities in helping them grow, be successful and most of all, sustainable,” he said. “It has always been about the people I serve and never about myself. My reward is watching them grow and be prosperous. As the saying goes, ‘If you love what you do, then you will never work a day in your life.’ I will continue this journey as long as I can and most of all, be effective.”
The Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona is a trade association whose mission is to advocate, facilitate and educate on behalf of minority, women, small, veteran, and diverse contractors throughout the state. The AMCA provides training, networking and access to opportunities with industry leaders to create a vibrant, diverse construction environment.
Carlo has made education and training key components to the work of his organization. Under his leadership, AMCA added a business of construction course consisting of four-hour modules in marketing, estimating, scheduling, planning, insurance, safety, project management and more. In eight years, 160 companies took the course and received certificates to bolster their businesses.
The Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona has established an endowment fund at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona benefiting minority and women students in the engineering and construction management programs at both universities. In the near future, Carlo intends to find a permanent home for the association to accommodate office space for staff and create incubator space for small businesses.
Carlo has been recognized with a number of awards and honors, including being the grand marshall in the veteran’s parade representing Cold War veterans.
Carlo was also named Advocate of the Year by the Latino Business Coalition and Advocate of the Year from the Minority and Small Business Alliance of Southern Arizona. He received the Shooting Star Award from the Salt River Project for community service and was given the inaugural Cesar Chavez Award for community service from HeroZona.
