A different kind of company: ALLIANCE GENERAL... -
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Published on: 11/3/2005
Last Visited: 11/3/2005
For this reason I contacted Mr. Wendel P. Torres, the President of the company Alliance General Contractors LLC, a Springs-based construction company.Among their services are: general contracting, custom-building, construction management, new facility construction, renovation of existing buildings, tenant improvements and land development.
Like others, this story has a humble beginning.Mr. Torres, born in West Point, NY, is one of 7 siblings, 5 sisters and 1 brother.His father hailed from New Mexico and his mother from Pueblo.An instructor at the US Military Academy, his dad worked in construction many years and was the most important influence in Wendel's life.The family moved to Colorado Springs in 1976, joining others who had arrived in 1965.From a young age he worked with his dad.Each school break he was in the construction field, learning the family business.
Torres remembers the recession in Colorado Springs within construction.He would work in enterprise in California while completing projects here.
In October of 1987, he broke off into an independent venture, his dad helping him launch the business for the first 2 months.Next he was joined by his brother, and during the time they worked together, they managed $287,000 in gross sales.He remembers that it was really hard in the beginning.
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Torres states his mission: "To provide overall business direction, oversight and coordination for company, as well as provide management guidance and leadership to all program managers, project managers, and technical and administrative staff" for all to read on his web page.
He knows what its like to be a minority with big dreams.
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Torres has known success, meeting his goal of $8 million in annual gross sales, and over the course of 5 years, achieving $87million in gross receipts.Ever since the beginning, they factored in all the variables, practicing personal accountability for everything.Now, staffed by 24 full time professionals in their fields, including 7 project managers, 2 professional engineers, and a number of sales reps, Torres reports, "The bad thing is the lack of capable Latino professionals ...Hispanic professionals in salaried positions."
Nowadays, everybody is asking about the secret of his success.Torres, after a moment's pause, will passionately respond, "The Hispanic people need to stay in school.
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But, what's is the meaning of "success" for Torres?"While my company manages the growth we anticipate, we will maintain a good corporate culture among staff and therefore good client relationships.We would like other businesses to see us as trustworthy and honest."
As for his personal life?Without pause, Torres emphasizes it's important to "Be a good family man ...can.I want to be seen in the community as a person who has worked hard, who has good relationships and friendships."Wendel and his wife Marcy have 2 daughters: Katie, 6 years old; and Allison, 3 years old.
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Torres is the recipient of many awards, such as SBA's "2002 Small Business Person of the Year", "Business of the Year" for Pikes Peak Region Military Installations, among many.His favorite was presented by SBA Regional District, "Regional Minority Small Business of the year, 2002."
In the next few months, Mr. Torres will be nominated by the Small Business Administration, as the "National 8(a) Graduate of the Year for 2006," as well as the "8(a) Hall of Fame Nominee."
He has won "Best Minority Business Leader" of the year.But, thinking not only of his company, he helps other business in their growth.He believes there some important points for success that he humbly shares with us, "Have trust, a good self-esteem, trust in yourself, don't be ashamed and don't be afraid to go for new clients."Having the largest single contract in Fort Carson for $75 million plus many other projects in the works, keeps him busy, in addition to millions of dollars' worth of contracts with various clients.
Mr. Torres and his team don't just build, they build relationships, and his slogan rings true, "We Build Relationships by Exceeding Expectations."
You can learn more of Mr. Wendel P. Torres and his company at
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