February 20,2002___________________________________ (E ljC ^ f î o r t l a n & © b ô e t U e r _____________________________________________ Pag* A3
P r o file o f C o m m u n ity P a rtn e r s
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BUILDING WITH LOCAL
RESOURCES
Bruce Watts, local activist, executive director o f the
Coalition o f Black M en a n d Tri-Met manager, has one
mission in his work— to make sure local businesses and
workers help build Interstate M AX. Through his efforts,
Tri-M et’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)
program has sought ways to do this from the very
beginning o f the project. And, it’s working. More than
$ 6 million in contracted work on the project is going to
Portland subcontractors, a n d $3 million to businesses in
N orth and Northeast Portland. For example: i f you drive
along Interstate Ave., chances are y o u ’l l see Rudy Trujillo
from Island Landscape or Leo Burrell from A Quality
Weldor two local businesses putting their mark on the
k QUALITY WELDOR
2026 SE130TH AVE.
503-261-8166
HOURS: 7:30 A.M.-5:00 P.M., MON.-FRI.
Quality
workmanship and
deep moral
principles have
laid the path
from an unsure
future to great
opportunities—
and success— as a
portable welder
Leo Burrell
subcontracting
on the Interstate MAX light rail project.
light rail line.
LEA R N IN G FROM M O M
ISLAND LANDSCAPE
2723 N. HAYDEN ISLAND DR.
503-289-6010
HOURS: 7:30 A.M.-4:30 P.M., MON.-FRI.
It may have
been Rudy
Trujillo’s
childhood that
caused him to
purchase Island
Landscape, located
in North Portland.
At nine years old,
Rudy remembers
planting an orchid
with his father on
Rudy Trujillo
their small Idaho
farm. Tenderly caring for the flower, Rudy learned
from his father how to nurture mother earth.
Surrounded by forests, lush assorted flowerbeds and
a packed vegetable garden, their farm also grew Rudy’s
future. Rudy would joyfully bring unique foliage to
school for show-and-tell, sharing his plants with his
classmates, and sowing the seeds for a young man’s
career.
FROM C H IL D H O O D GARDENER TO LANDSCAPE
PR O FESSIO N AL
“At some point I thought this would be a great
career. I wanted to work with plants and at the same
time help the environment. Plants improve air quality
and help humans breathe,” he said of his industry.
In gardening, as in life, it requires effort and passion.
He moved to Oregon in 1974, gaining experience
doing landscape, design and installation work. In 1985,
he had the opportunity to buy Island Landscape.
Today, he owns the company providing landscape
services for Interstate MAX construction. Rudy’s
company will add greenery and beauty along Interstate
Ave. by restoring landscape between the Killingsworth
and Portland Blvd. MAX station areas.
“O ur motto is ‘we’re only as good as our last job.’
We’re busy because we deliver quality work,” he said.
In other parts of the city, Island Landscape projects
include the Riverplace Promenade, restoration for the
Edgewater Clubhouse and an upcoming effort
providing benches and planters for the Brewery Blocks
downtown.
For Leo Burrell, owner of A Quality Weldor, tough
times growing up in Maryland served as an incubator for
Leo’s future success, both as a businessman and as a
father. With public assistance, Leo’s mother somehow
managed to put food on the table, teaching each of her
six children how to prepare and stretch a meal. “It was
important to me that I learn to cook, clean and provide
for my family. I want to be a good father and husband,”
Leo says.
Leo recalls being chided by his siblings for almost
everything. “I felt like I lived the Cinderella fairytale. At
home and in school I could never do anything right.” As
a result, he became a perfectionist, working diligently to
master anything he did and to seek self-satisfaction.
• 10 stations
• $350 m illion budget
PERFECTING H IS CRAFT
When Leo began welding 34 years ago, he strove to
master his craft. First he honed his welding experience
while working for construction companies. He believes
his work is an art form, like painting. “I work hard to
make sure when I weld something together it is
aesthetically pleasing. But I also strive to make sure the
fusion is clean, without impurities weakening the weld.”
He credits the formation of his business, two years
ago, to his no-nonsense wife Linda, who pointed out a
moral imperative. “My objective was to produce quality
work. Yet, from my observations the industry placed a
high priority on productivity, thereby inadvertently
diminishing quality. And that’s why I started A Quality
Weldor,” he said.
For Leo Burrell, success comes not only from
producing quality work, but also from his faith.
“Everything I do is based on my relationship with my
Creator. I provide a service as though it is being done for
my God.”
A Quality Weldor welcomes both residential and
commercial projects. Leo’s work has included welding
projects on the Scholls Ferry Mall, shopping center
repairs in Lake Oswego, residential remodeling and now
on the Interstate MAX project.
H o w we g e t th e r e m a tte r s .
i
• 5.8 miles long
1
• MAX w ill bring faster, more
reliable transit to North and
Northeast Portland residents.
For project information call
503-962-2155
in english:
www.tri-met.org
en español:
www.tri-met.org/yellowline/
espanol.htm
TRI-MET
503-238-RIDE