Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current, March 21, 2007, Page 5, Image 5

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March 21. 2007
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Page A5
Growing Discontent
continued
$10« REWARD
For Return of I-I’od in Black Velvet Case
Featuring Dave Chappell- R&B-Juzz Music
Lost on 17th of March in North East Portland
Contact: 503-288-0033
from Front
and several people were led away in
plastic cuffs.
Late in the afternoon, protest­
ers stood on one side of the street
chanting, "Let them go," while
police in riot gear lined the other
side of the street in front of front
of theJustice Center, which holds
the jail.
Some taunted officers, chanting,
"You're sexy, you're cute, take off
that riot suit."
A few protesters carried a black
banner that read, "No Gods, no
country, no masters," and a circled
A symbol for anarchy.
Some said the police overreacted.
"They showed a huge amount of
force," said Jake Fagan, 21, of Port­
land, who said he had lost two
friends in Iraq. "But we are just
trying to march."
Aaron Clark is a reporter for
The Associated Press.
photo by
N ia D iyg ZT he P ortland O bserver
A protester carries twin slabs that indict U.S. actions in the Iraq War during Sunday's peace march
on the fourth anniversary o f the war.
Series Pickets Available Now!
W illiain Jefferson
C L IN T O N
42nd President
of thè l nited States
6:30 p.m
Tuesday, A p r ii 17,2007
Schnitzer Concert Hall
Johnson Sirleaf
pr<'>í<i<*nt »f i . i I htíh
Rui lil in" Ih-niucniry in tfriru
The first black woman to he elected president of any
country in the world, Harvard-educated Ellen Johnson
Sirleat is leading war-ravaged Liberia into the 21st century.
7:00 p.m., Friday, May 18, 2007 Schnitzer Concert Hull
Sheri Xiaoyi Liao
Green \niha*st<lnr. Beijing Olympic* 2(108
77//.S’ 1 .adanpiered Planet: A
( hiñese h'eir
China’s best-known environmental activist 8c crusading
journalist, widely acclaimed for her work in China.
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 29, 2007 Schnitzer Concert Hall
Mystery Speaker
j
An I rah h'eir a f 1 ,S loreiyn Policy
The identity of this diplomat from the Middle East will
he made known soon. Check our website for updates:
www.worldoregon.org
June 2007 &4nr7z<r Concert Hall
Speakers subject to change in case of force majeure. Proceeds benefit the education
program of the World Affair« Council.
Media Sponsor:
photo by
M ark VV ashington /T he P ortland O bserver
Carol Robertson (left) and David Anderson advance their careers in the asphalt construction trade at Lakeside Industries o f north­
west Portland. Robertson is the first African American female to hold the advanced position of estimator for the company.
Tradeswoman Achieves in Business
Developed
skills for top job
by F elicia S lider
T he P orti . and O bserver
Lakeside Industries employee
Carol Robertson dug deep, devel­
oped her skills and distinguished
herself as a talent among the indus­
try of women in trades,
Robertson, who grew up in north­
east Portland and now lives in
Clackamas, was recently promoted
from an accounting administrator
and administrative assistant posi­
tion. She joins David Anderson, a
paving foreman for the company,
as estimators for the firm.
W hat m akes th is d e c isio n
groundbreaking is that this is the
first time in the history of the third-
generation company that an Afri­
can-American woman will hold the
groundbreaking and highly com ­
petitive title.
The Portland Observer spoke
with Lakeside's human resource
dircctorTammy Vibbert on this ex­
ceptional advancement:
What strides have women, espe­
cially minority women, made within
this industry?
One of our ongoing efforts is
that we rely heavily on advertising
our positions. It encourages people
to get the right training to improve
their skills. In addition to advertis­
ing forextemal ability, we also have
programs to develop our in-house
of talent. We take pride in promot­
ing the best, whether internal or
external. We post all of our leader­
ship positions, so that company
wide anyone and everyone is on an
equal playing field.
We also identify employees who
have shown interest or those we
have noticed who have the apti­
tude.
What is I .akeside's ongoing goal
in “diversity” ?
Lakeside is positively trying to
integrate our leadership positions.
We are working incredibly hard in
many of the field positions. From
administrative to field positions,
we want to give equal access to
leadership opportunities We are
always excited to promote minori­
ties and females. Our owners, the
Lee Family, and our directors and
management have always made it a
priority.
Give us a “Day in the Life" of an
Estimator?
On the whole, they are account­
able for going out to find work for
Lakeside. They put together bids;
commercial, residential, etc. What
then takes places is that there is
usually a bidding process. They
put together the bid for the job and
determine how much it's going to
cost.
They submit the job and confi­
dently succeed with the bid. The
estimator follows the work from start
to finish. They are the eyes and
ears for thejob until its completion.
Because the Portland area is a very
competitive market the daily tasks
and responsibilities for our estima­
tors are crucial.
W hat skills sets do Carol and
David bring to this position?
They bring exceptional skill sets.
Respectively, they each have more
than 10 years with Lakeside. They
are both unique, which is why pro­
moting two people for the same
position at the same time is a dis­
tinctive move for us.
David, who had been one of our
Field Paving Foremen, will transi­
tion well because of his field expe-
rience. Carol is a great role model.
She started with Lakeside over 10
years ago. She went to school, got
her Bachelors degree and is now
working on her Masters.
What local organizations sup­
port women in this industry ?
Lakeside is always involved in
local and national organizations
to support women and men. For
exam ple, one is called NAWIC
(National A ssociation of Women
In Construction). Carol is per­
sonally involved with Oregon
Trades W omen. Another is AGC
(Association o f General Contrac­
tors). We also have connections
with training through NAPA (N a­
tional Asphalt Paving A ssocia­
tion).
How would someone go about
preparing, training or network­
ing for a position in trades?
Lakeside appreciates being one
of the many examples in the indus­
try regarding our high percentage
of female employees. Some may
gravitate more towards certain ar­
eas of the industry or field, but we
are closing the gap. We are truly
proud of David and Carol. They are
both examples of people who set
their minds to their goals.
What can they expect in the first
few months of their new promo­
tion?
They will continue to receive on
the job training, learn how to put
together a bid, how to measure and
how determine the work and what
needs to be done. They will jum p in
very quickly.
Slate Fenn*
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington. Illinois 61710
Michael E Harper
21 k (Oregonian
r n
4^^
@ Lufthansa
Older series liekels now! www.wnildoregon.org
or call 50:L»2.(TO
Tony Hopson, Senior
and the staff of Self Enhancement, Inc. invite you to an
S'
OPEN HOUSE
for
SEI Community Services'
at our new office:
0AME Business Center
4134 North Vancouver Avenue, Suite 202
Portland
Tuesday, April 3,2007
1:30 - 5:00 p.m.
For more information call 503-285-0493
SEI Community Services promotes the well being of
children and families living in Multnomah County
through housing assistance, energy assistance, and
information and referrals.
Agent
We moved to our new location at:
9 7 13 S.W. Capitol
Portland. OR
503-221 -3050
Fax 503-227-8757
michael.harper.cuik(n'statefarm.com
*Self Enhancement, Inc. now provides the community
services previously offered by Albina Ministerial Alliance
IAMA], The two non-profit organizations did not merge;
AMA continues as an advocacy organization.
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