With the addition of a new Redmond office, Beason and Garman aim to expand RHD’s services as an experienced woman- and minority-owned general contractor.
Redmond, Wash. – October 2, 2023 – Over the last 20 years, RHD Enterprises’ founder Rozanne Garman has built a reputation as a preferred W/MBE vendor for both state and federal construction projects. Having graduated from the SBA’s 8(a) program and transitioned from a mentee to a mentor role, the firm is positioned to expand its geographical reach with the opening of a new office in Redmond, Washington. The move to bring on Kris Beason, with expertise in delivering complex projects for Fortune 500 companies and technology start-ups, sets into motion the next phase for RHD Enterprises.
“When I launched RHD in 2005, my vision was to create an inclusive company, where women and people of color would find a place to grow their careers by building challenging projects,” says Garman. “Since then, we’ve become a magnet, attracting highly skilled people who hit a ceiling at other construction firms. That talent, and a lot of hard work, led us to become one of the most sought-after builders for organizations looking to achieve diverse contracting goals.”
Linda Lee Womack, Managing Director of Small Business Finance and Community Support at the Washington State Department of Commerce, recognized Garman’s dedication to diversity in construction early on. “Rozanne was different … when resources were offered to her, she would turn it around and say ‘I would like to pay it forward and please give that [opportunity] to another woman- or minority-owned firm instead’” she recalls. “Over the years, I have witnessed her passion and unwavering commitment to supporting the growth of diverse firms here in Washington as well as nationally.”
The addition of industry veteran Kris Beason to RHD’s leadership team is a move to further expand the firm’s capabilities to the private sector, which is seeing increasing demand for diversity in contracting. Beason, a second-generation woman in construction who has risen to executive-level ranks during her career, believes RHD is well-positioned to satisfy a need in the market.
“I’ve spent decades building teams and projects for some of the Pacific Northwest’s largest companies including corporate tenant improvements, life science, and technology projects,” states Beason. “There’s significant demand for a diverse contractor with honed processes and a tenured team who can manage technical projects with the confidence of more traditional general contractors – but with a fresh, diverse perspective.”
As CEO, Beason will focus on client relationships, recruiting top talent and organizational effectiveness for RHD. Garman will remain as President, managing the firm’s finances, processes, and culture, as she’s done for the last 18 years.
“Kris and I traveled in a similar orbit for years. I’ve always been impressed by her drive to connect people, in fact, that’s how we began discussing a potential partnership,” Garman reminisces. “I reached out to Kris about a staffing referral, and the more we discussed the vision and opportunities at RHD, the more we realized our personal values and professional goals were tightly aligned. Joining forces with Kris was initially beyond my imagination, but this isn’t the first time a dream has turned into something big for RHD.”
Another driver of this partnership is the opportunity to actively support and grow the careers of women and people of color. “Anyone who knows me, knows my passion for making connections,” notes Beason. “My role at RHD is an opportunity to ‘connect the dots’ that will truly make a difference in the industry and for individual careers.”
This philosophy is exemplified by Beason’s work with the CREW Network, where she has been recognized nationally with a Career Impact Award for her work championing women in the industry. “Kris is an inspiration to me, as she is to many others in the CRE industry,” adds Carrie Gartside Anthony, National Account Manager for First American Title and CREW Seattle board president. “She lifts you up and becomes your champion. I am confident that her leadership will positively impact both RHD and their clients.”
Garman, an outspoken advocate for women and people of color in the A/E/C industry, is committed to maintaining and supporting an environment of belonging on her team. At RHD, diversity runs from the top through all positions, including 50% women and 35% people of color.
“Rozanne and RHD Enterprises demonstrate how hard work, business savvy, and utilization of small business resources can launch a small firm to new heights,” says SBA Seattle District Director Kerrie Hurd. “Our team enjoyed working hand-in-hand with RHD in the 8(a) Program as revenues doubled and the firm was awarded millions of dollars in federal contracts. As the local leader for the SBA, it’s both our mission and pleasure to watch firms like RHD continue to grow, create jobs, and contribute to the local economy and community.” The SBA named Rozanne Garman 2017’s Small Businessperson of the Year and RHD has been ranked as Puget Sound Business Journal’s “100 Fastest-Growing Minority-Owned Companies in Washington State,” “Largest Minority-Owned Companies in Washington State,” and “100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in Washington State”.
RHD focuses their work primarily in the Puget Sound region, but their geographical reach includes projects in Arizona, Montana, and California. They work for both public agencies and private companies building office interiors, ground-up industrial facilities, and complex renovations. RHD also operates a miscellaneous metal fabrication shop specializing in custom fabrication and modification/repairs of stainless steel, steel, and aluminum.
Photo Credit: Cory Parris Photography