Ugo Nwagbaraocha’s dad once told him to “Make your point, but don’t burn the bridge.” This advice has stayed with him as the president of Diamond Discs International where he continues building larger bridges for access, opportunities, resources and understanding in his life. “I am very thankful that I have helped build many formidable bridges in my career, literally and figuratively,” said Nwagbaraocha.
Diamond Discs International is a professional construction project management operating division and an industry leading construction equipment distributor, wholesaler and light manufacturer. The company holds one of the nation’s largest inventories of professional grade diamond edged cutting tools, diamond blades, diamond core bits and related products.
Under Nwagbaraocha’s leadership, the company has expanded its value proposition with a new expansion of an operating division while working with Gilbance Building Company on the $500 million Northwestern Mutual construction project in downtown Milwaukee. In 2023, the firm launched a new product line of high-power handheld concrete saws and focused on producing blades that have performance advantages in every market segment.
Nwagbaraocha has emerged as a leading advocate for contractors of color statewide, lobbying for the state to take a more active role in helping minority-owned firms better compete for federally funded projects. He has served as president of the National Association of Minority Contractor’s Wisconsin chapter since 2019 and was elected to serve on the national board of directors for the NAMC.
“The greatest obstacle facing minority-owned businesses is access: access to capital, access to contracts and access to markets,” said Nwagbaraocha.
Another obstacle within the industry is safety, innovation and technology, he said. “How to continue to implement safety protocols and procedures to make construction sites safer for workers and pedestrians become the priority as large infrastructure projects continue to increase in size and duration. His focus is also on continued education on how to utilize technology to increase efficiencies, productivity and sustainability.
As a second-year Titan 100, Nwagbaraocha said that the program’s collaboration and inspiration have been instrumental in further shaping his leadership style.
“The inspiration from fellow titan’s stories of personal and business growth, stories of resiliency, stories of innovation, personal entrepreneurial stories, conception of business ideas, formation of leadership attributes and dedication and anecdotes of inspiration have been profound,” he said. “The recognition is a personal and public badge of affirmation of the achievement of exemplary leadership at a profound level of distinction and a badge of motivation to inspire me to achieve more.”
