Sparkling future for Diamond Water Construction
Before starting with Diamond Water Construction, Betsy Campo Clark lived in Cali, Colombia and came to the United States more than 25 years ago. While raising her family here, she became involved in neighborhood associations on zoning and infrastructure projects to help homeowners. Later, she taught Spanish, Marketing, and Business Management at community colleges, while earning diplomas at North Carolina State in Construction Project Management, Green Building and Energy Technologies.
“I received a MS in education and instructional design, thinking I’d be a full-time instructor when I was hired by an engineering/construction company,” says Clark. “Seeing these two companies work together led me to start my own construction business.”
Clark credits much of her company’s early success as a Hispanic business owner to her work with United Minority Contractors of North Carolina (UMCNC). While on the board of UMCNC, she began to work closely with the Hispanic Contractors Association (HCA) to help bring the two associations together. She joined HCA in 2010 and says she found it to be an excellent resource for startup companies.
“I believe in taking as many classes as possible and these associations provide valuable training,” says Clark. “In addition, associations are an excellent way to build relationships.”
“One of the major challenges is that, as a woman and a Hispanic, it can be difficult because people don’t believe in the quality of your work until you can show them,” says Clark. “You have to prove yourself constantly.”
Today, Diamond Water Construction has completed construction and engineering projects in commercial construction; infrastructure design for the military; and water, sewer, and storm water design for municipalities. Despite the scope of its work, Diamond Water Construction is a small company. Clark is president and CEO, responsible for program management, quality assurance, overall client management, and resource acquisition and allocation. Sigourney Clark is VP and Tim Donohue is COO with more than 30 years experience managing projects. Prentice Tyndall Jr., a partner in Diamond Water, specializes in commercial and residential structural engineering for facilities.
“In the future, all I can see is success,” says Clark. “I love what I do, so really my work is like a vacation. Working 70 hours a week is not a problem. I love to create more opportunities and jobs for others to work with me.”
Clark is now working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation on an outreach program to the Hispanic community to get more companies certified. “I want to help my community,” says Clark. “By teaching and mentoring, I hope to help others build their companies.”
