BD+C: You’re a second-generation contractor, aren’t you?
Sundra L. Ryce: My dad is 66, and he’s owned W.C. Roberson Plumbing and Construction Corp. here in Buffalo for over 30 years. I started working for him as a teenager, learning basic business practices, especially about integrity. He taught me that if you say you’re going to do something, do it. He also had a very diverse company, and that has translated into our business. He’s my number one mentor.
BD+C: Right from the start, in 1996, you made a conscious decision to go into the commercial sector. Why?
SLR: I had a vision of growth, and I wanted to position the company to become a medium-size or larger firm. That’s the path we’ve taken. To date, our largest project, which is in excess of $16 million, is with the New York State Power Authority. So we are fulfilling our vision.
BD+C: How’s business?
SLR: We employ about 30 people, with revenues expected to exceed more than $25 million this year. About 10-15% of our work is CM, 20% is design-build, but our mainstay is general construction. We’ve been doing work for the Federal government for the last 12 years. We have worked with the Army Corps of Engineers, building their Military Entrance Processing Station at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station, and, more recently, a renovation project for the Navy, in Erie, Pa. As far as design-build work goes, we see the Federal government moving more into that arena as well. They want you to bring the team to them and deliver the whole project—one-stop shopping.
BD+C: Your firm qualifies doubly as an MWBE, a business owned by a minority member or woman. Which is better for business, the M or the W?
SLR: The M helps me more, because in a lot of the projects, with the hiring goals that are set, there’s a greater capacity for minorities; for example, it may be 25% minority-owned, vs. 7% for woman-owned. Do I use it? Yes, especially for bidding on the larger projects. Fortunately, we have earned an excellent reputation for providing exceptional general construction services over the years. That is what we lead with when presenting ourselves, while highlighting that we are an MWBE after that.
BD+C: Your company is part of a consortium that’s doing $1 billion of work for the Buffalo Public Schools. What have you learned from that experience?
SLR: When you’re working with government entities, it’s really important to have a highly trained team with the skill sets to deal with the bureaucracy on all levels. Most agencies are meticulous about their paperwork, and that has been a stumbling block for many small or medium-size firms. At SLR Contracting, we quickly learned how to satisfy those requirements by providing all the appropriate documents necessary to complete those kinds of projects.
BD+C: During a recent radio interview you said you thought you were seeing light at the end of the economic tunnel. Enlighten us!
SLR: One of the things that has given us hope as a company is that in western New York, we are seeing projects come back to life. In Buffalo, the city is redeveloping the Erie Canal and the harbor, a $75 million project. And when you talk to the bankers, and looking at business trends, there is a small amount of growth. It’s a light, not a total recovery.
BD+C: You participated in a public forum in which you asked a question of President Obama. What did you ask him?
SLR: My question was about how to successfully run a small business. I specifically asked about the education programs offered to small business owners and how they should effectively negotiate contracts. I wanted to know what his administration is doing to implement new educational practices which support small business enterprises.
BD+C: And what did he say?
SLR: He answered for eight minutes. [Laughs.] He said they are looking at going into colleges and high schools to implement programs for entrepreneurial degrees, so that when people get to the point where they’re able to start a business, they have the tools.
BD+C: Are you feeling pressure from larger firms coming into your turf?
SLR: It’s kind of flipped around for us. Because of our growth, we’re moving into other markets, and it’s been a surprise to some businesses in those areas. For example, with the Erie Canal Harbor Development project, a larger firm [Hunt Construction] actually asked us to partner with them, and it’s been a great relationship for both of us.
BD+C: What’s your toughest challenge?
SLR: Balancing the opportunities that come to us. Once you get a name as a good contractor, you have to be really selective, to be fiscally responsible, to deliver those projects, get rave reviews and repeat customers. You’d love to take all the jobs, but you can’t. We want to grow smart instead of just growing fast.
Related Stories
Architects | Apr 19, 2017
Tour Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry architecture with Google Earth
Google Earth’s new ‘Voyager’ feature allows people to take interactive guided tours.
Multifamily Housing | Apr 18, 2017
Three multifamily, three specialized housing projects among 14 recipients of the AIA’s 2017 Housing Awards
2017 marks the 17th year the AIA has rewarded projects and architects with the Housing Awards.
Projects | Apr 17, 2017
BD+C's 2017 Design Innovation Report
Façades that would make Dr. Seuss smile, living walls, and exterior wall space that doubles as gallery space are all represented in this year's BD+C Design Innovation Report.
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 13, 2017
The rise of human performance facilities
A new medical facility in Chicago focuses on sustaining its customers’ human performance.
Laboratories | Apr 13, 2017
How to design transformative scientific spaces? Put people first
While most labs are designed to achieve that basic functionality, a transformational lab environment prioritizes a science organization’s most valuable assets: its people.
Hotel Facilities | Apr 12, 2017
Hotels embrace place
Today’s hospitality environments emphasize unique, localized experiences to attract and engage guests.
Green | Apr 11, 2017
Passivhaus for high-rises? Research demonstrates viability of the stringent standards for tall residential buildings
A new study conducted by FXFOWLE shows that Building Teams can meet stringent Passivhaus performance standards with minimal impact to first cost and aesthetics.
Curtain Wall | Apr 11, 2017
Masters of geometry
Three firms that specialize in façades that curve, twist, and turn see themselves as artisans of the unthinkable.
Office Buildings | Apr 10, 2017
Innovation lab makes developing eye care solutions a collaborative affair
The Shop East innovation lab presents 13,500 sf of workspace across two floors with an emphasis on collaboration.