Partner Spotlight: Matthew Breen, President, Breen Construction Services, Inc.

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1 Partner Spotlight: Matthew Breen, President, Breen Construction Services, Inc. Matthew Breen of Breen Construction Matthew Breen has always had an entrepreneurial inclination, but the moment he decided to step out on his own arose in 2006 when Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) adopted its local developing business program. Soon the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) introduced a similar program, and the climate was right to launch Breen Construction Services, Inc. That was the tipping point, said Breen. He made the difficult decision to leave a senior vice president role with one of the world s largest project development and construction firms and devote his time and energy to starting a business - incorporation, licensing, insurance, accounting, and building those all-important relationships. I wrestled with the decision to leave my job, but it enabled me to focus, he said. It was a smart thing to do in hindsight but a bit painful to begin with. Today, Breen Construction Services, Inc., is one of Central Florida s leading firm s for general contracting, construction management, and design build services. The company currently is partnered with AECOM and GCI and is dedicated to two large-scale projects on behalf of GOAA. They serve on the Owner Authorized Representative (OAR) team and are in the later stages of completing the South Airport Complex s Automated People Mover (APM) and are in the beginning stages of the South Terminal Complex construction. The OAR team manages contracting, quality control, scheduling, and inspections for these projects. Breen is keenly aware he works in a space occupied by many capable firms. He and his team have set themselves apart by mastering the art of what they call customer delight. Design and construction is a challenging process, said Breen. Owners want you to deal with the details and headaches. And we do. Our focus is on owner satisfaction and making this experience satisfying and enjoyable for owners and stakeholders. As a small business owner and a part of GOAA s local developing business program, Breen has an appreciation for the Authority s dedication to small businesses and its commitment to providing extensive opportunities to those businesses and individuals throughout the region. This is where I was born and raised. I want to be part of things that make a difference in our community, Breen said. GOAA provides that kind of opportunity. For small businesses interested in working with GOAA, Breen encourages them to engage with the Small Business Development Department with the understanding that although there are many programs and a knowledgeable staff, You have to pursue the mechanics on your own insurance, licensing, etc. and be prepared to do that. You have to take initiative and be prepared when opportunities come your way. Breen also emphasizes understanding the owner s goals and demonstrating how you can help meet those goals is critical. You must learn how to tailor your services to meet the owner s needs and convey that ability in a politely persistent manner. Does Breen have any doubts following his entrepreneurial spirit was the right thing to do? Not at all. I love coming to work at GOAA every day, he said. I m very grateful to work here.

2 How To Do Business with GOAA Networking Event Rescheduled Due to Hurricane Irma and its aftermath, the 13th annual networking event for small business has been rescheduled to December 7th. The event will remain at its new location, the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel on 9801 International Drive, Orlando FL from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The networking event How To Do Business with GOAA Small Business event brings together locally-owned small businesses from across Central Florida, including minority, women and veteran-owned firms. United by this year s theme of Working Together Builds Success, the event is designed to build relationships and increase opportunities with small businesses while also preparing small firms to establish and strengthen business relationships with GOAA. This years event will focus on the $2.1 billion South Terminal Complex expansion with up to $300-$350 to be awarded to small businesses, and other business opportunities in airport concessions, operations and maintenance, IT and the purchasing of goods and services. Event highlights include: Panel Discussion with winning and successful small businesses; One on one meeting with prime contractors and construction managers; Detailed information on South Terminal Project construction opportunities to include the project schedule, bid release and due dates; Bonding, mobilization financing and community resources; Assistance with Certification and Pre Qualification requirements Event at a Glance The event has been rescheduled to December 7th at its new location, the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel on 9801 International Drive, Orlando FL The event begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. One of GOAA s longest successful business networking event. Event registration and parking are free. Register and RSVP by using the SBD Connect app available at Apple Store and Google Play. You may also register at or calling This successful annual event is part of GOAA s continued 30- year relationship working with Central Florida s small business community and providing economic stimulus for the region.

3 Building Success with a Service Attitude Patrick Aliu, President/CEO of PSA Constructors Patrick Aliu sees an opportunity for personal and professional growth in every situation. With a quiet perseverance and a commanding focus, Aliu has led his team of employees to new heights, one project at a time. Aliu, who earned his way up the ranks as a planner, project architect, project manager and project director, is the President/CEO of PSA Constructors, a program management firm he founded with just one employee. Today, the African American-owned company based in Orlando has offices in four other cities around the country. The firm has amassed an impressive portfolio of projects for education, transportation, aviation and commercial facilities including the Orange County Courthouse, FAMU Law School and several K-12 schools in the Orange County School District. But the road to the top wasn t always paved with success. As a small firm, Aliu says he faced many challenges, and the reality of staying in business meant he needed to find ways to stay competitive. For us to show credibility with clients and prove that we would be able to take risks, I knew we needed to partner with larger firms to gain experience, Aliu says. Aliu says he made himself indispensable to clients, sometimes working on weekends for free to allow his employees the time off. He also gives his cell phone number out to clients, so they can reach him 24/7 if there is a problem. There is no perfect project, but how you tackle a problem, and your responsiveness speaks a lot about you and your company s reputation, he adds. And that accessibility isn t just lip service. It s embedded into the company s initials Personal with a Service Attitude. One of the first key relationships PSA Constructors built was a partnership with Turner-Kiewit, a leading contracting company one that remains in place today. The firm introduced them to the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) and PSA Constructors was contracted to provide program management services for the Southwest Airlines Terminal expansion at Orlando International Airport. The firm managed the installation of baggage handling systems, including curbside and 42 check-in collection counters, escalators, and the finish-out of the toilet rooms. Aliu credits GOAA s Small Business Development Department with supporting PSA Constructors during that time. SBDD is second to none. They expose you on each project and give you the tools you need. They believe in what you say you will do so it s a great avenue to expose small business owners to new opportunities, says Aliu. Aliu was able to leverage the success with GOAA to secure a contract to provide support for the new Terminal D and Automated People Mover at Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport. From there, PSA Constructors worked on several large-scale projects at airports in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, West Palm Beach, New Orleans, and Austin, Texas. After traveling around the country, after 17 years of successful projects we finally made it, and it was time to return home to Orlando, Aliu says proudly. Now PSA Constructors continues its long-term relationship with Turner-Kiewit on the South Terminal Complex expansion, offering a myriad of services to support the quality assurance and quality control and mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Aliu credits his company s success with building successful partnerships. Carve out what you do and stick with it. I may not know it all, but I know about all the little components and can see the bigger picture. I hire the best people who can build on the success of our company. He is a strong proponent that other small business owners should look for opportunities to partner with GOAA. I tell them to work hard and don t get discouraged. Your time will come, just like me. GOAA gave me the foundation to feel comfortable to handle the next big project, gain new skills, and come back to Orlando to show what I can do for them.

4 Turner s Accelerated Payment Program Offers Sub-contractors Faster, More Reliable Payment Mike Bruynesteyn, Treasurer and VP of Strategic Finance at Turner Turner Construction may be one of the world s largest and most diverse construction services company, however it understands the challenges smaller firms encounter when it comes to working capital. To help small businesses working on Turner projects, the company collaborated with Textura and Greensill Capital to provide subcontractors an accelerated compensation option within five days of program approval rather than the standard 30-day net payment. This quick turnaround of payment provides sub-contractors a reliable revenue stream to improve cash flow and strengthen balance sheets. Turner s Accelerated Payment Program is not a loan. Rather, for a nominal fee, sub-contractors may be paid directly by Greensill Capital, an independent financial services firm and principal investor group specializing in working capital optimization, specialty financing, and contract monetization. Any company that has prequalified to work on Turner projects is eligible to participate in the program, which is voluntary. Subcontractors may cancel their accelerated payment option at any time, and enrollment is free, simple, and secure using Textura s Construction Payment Management online program. Mike Bruynesteyn, Treasurer and VP of Strategic Finance at Turner, said the program has steadily gained popularity with Turner s subcontractors, Since we launched our Accelerated Payment Program in April of 2016, we have about 700 companies enrolled and are gaining momentum with each month. We added 65 more participants in the first few weeks of July alone. For more information about Turner s Accelerated Payment Program, visit Payment within five days of submitting invoice and enjoy these businessbuilding benefits. Improved Cash Flow Early, predictable payment frees up working capital and strengthens balance sheets. Eliminate Risk of Late Payment Receive payment directly from Greensill before the owner pays Turner, eliminating the risk of late payment. Convenient to Enroll Easy, one-click selection using Textura s Construction Payment Management program. Nominal Fees Pay fully disclosed nominal fees, agreed upon at the time of enrollment, to cover the interest expense, the cost of operating the payment financing facility, and the risks of delayed payment to Turner. No Risk to Credit The Turner Accelerated Payment Program is not a loan, lien, or debt, so there is no risk or change to your company s credit.

5 Advocacy for Small Businesses is Big at GOAA GOAA staff respond to questions and counsel small businesses interested in working on South Terminal project. The 21st century business marketplace can sometimes be challenging to smaller firms, which may lack the resources or experiences to fully engage on larger projects or successfully mediate should challenges arise. Fortunately for small businesses doing business with GOAA, there is an experienced team of experts to provide guidance on participation, development, and procurement initiatives. Advocating for our small business partners is what we do, said George Morning, Director of the Small Business Development Department (SBDD). Whatever small businesses need to know to do business with the Authority, we are here to help them succeed. GOAA staffer briefs small business owner. GOAA is proud of its 30-year history of including locally-owned small, women, minority and veteran-owned firms in the bidding process for projects from construction to concessions. The Small Business Development Department establishes goals for these projects, such as the $300 to $350 million for small business contracts for the $2.1 billion South Terminal Complex project. In addition, Morning and his team provide information regarding a firm s eligibility, certification, and compliance with local, state, and federal small business guidelines. We work at removing barriers that may be keeping a small company from successfully participating in bidding on a project, Morning explained. Our goal is to advocate for a balanced business environment. To contact the Small Business Development Department, call or visit net/airport-business.