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Joe Lopez is the founder and President of New Era Builders, Inc. a commercial General Contracting firm located in Cleveland. His dream of running the largest Hispanic general contracting firm is well on track. From his early years of new home construction through his first public project in 1989, Joe's vision has been clear, his work ethic disciplined and his social commitment evident.
New Era Builders, Inc. has been recognized this past year as number 32 in Case Western Reserve's "Weatherhead 100" where local businesses are recognized among their peers. This is a prestigious recognition in today's economic environment where corporate down-sizing and contract bundling continue to face most first generation entrepreneurs.
Joe has managed to grow his business concentrating on competitive public projects. Some recent project awards have been a one-of-a-kind test facility at NASA Glenn Research Center, a City Fire Station, and renovation projects of several local school facilities.
New Era's business plan not only targets Cleveland and the surrounding community but the neighboring states as well. The firm recently has completed 2 projects in Michigan for the United States Coast Guard. Additionally, New Era Builders has been selected to design/build an Army Reserve Training Facility in neighboring North Canton, Ohio.
In addition to managing New Era Builders, Inc., Joe is also a regional representative for The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, a national organization representing the interests of more than 1.2 million Hispanic owned businesses in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. It serves as the umbrella organization for nearly 200 Hispanic chambers of commerce nationwide, and it actively promotes the economic growth and development of other Hispanic entrepreneurs.
Joe credits the Hispanic Business Association, The Cleveland Growth Association, The Northern Ohio Minority Business Council and the Small Business Administration with providing assistance in opening doors, which have been critical to his business development. These organizations offer training, mentoring and leadership skills that have been instrumental to the success of Mr. Lopez and his firm. | 