Who did you meet with today?
I had the privilege of meeting with Gary Blackwell, a creative contractor, at one of their charter school construction sites, KIPP Santa Fe. There we also encountered Adolfo, a trusted site supervisor, who has been part of Gary’s team for many years.
Where do they work? What does the company do?
Through hard work, he established his own firm, Blackwell Construction, before acquiring EPI Construction, and eventually his third company, BDI Construction. Most of his construction projects are aimed at providing educational facilities for charter schools and private schools. EPI Construction extends further to include fitness centers, office buildings, retail spaces, site development, food processing facilities, and light industrial projects. All three of his companies are commercial construction companies known for their expertise in delivering high-quality projects.
What did you learn today? What were some highlights?
As our guide, Gary walked us through the construction process, highlighting significant parts of the structure, such as a subterranean parking garage, dedicated for teachers and staff. The school was estimated to be 70% completed, so we were able to thoroughly explore the various rooms and get insight into the development of the school from design to budgeting, ensuring how the project is to be delivered on time, and that the school is both functionally and cost efficient. We also learned that the construction process might look differently in other states where PCSD is, such as Texas and Washington. Overall, there are different construction processes and each is a lengthy process as there are many things that slow the construction process whether it’s coordinating with the city of L.A. or ensuring that materials and electricity are obtainable on time and on budget.
What insights did you gain into the field of real estate development?
Following the tour, Gary generously shared his love for fishing as well as his personal career journey, inspiring us to pursue something we enjoy. Studying to pursue a career in pre-med, an internship at a hospital led him to reevaluate his decisions. Following suit, he explored other paths and discovered his passion for construction. The dedication in constructing an educational facility was shown as Gary toured and talked to us about the upcoming charter school that is set to create a positive impact to the community. Gary also mentioned and added emphasis to collaborating early on with architects to ensure that the drawings for structure are not over budget and don’t have to be thrown out. To Gary, collaboration is essential and by sharing with us about his various projects he demonstrated that early collaboration is key to help ensure that the construction process runs smoothly and efficiently.
Did you become more interested in the field after today?
Since the beginning of the internship I’ve been interested in the real estate development field and each day the more value I gain from the program the more interested I become in the field. Being acquainted with several talented and unique individuals who share the same passion as Gary has been enlightening. Hearing Gary’s insights and seeing his dedication to providing educational facilities that would enrich the lives of children, educators, and many other individuals was truly inspiring. I enjoyed the exposure I got from visiting the construction site and observing the work and effort that is being put towards completing a project.
