MISSION AND HISTORY

The Velez Organization (Velez) literally started with a big break when Andrew Velez, a union carpenter, fell two stories and broke his ankle. Unable to work, he returned to school and started a small contracting firm in his Brooklyn apartment as a Federal Government 8A contractor in 1972.

As the business began to grow, his daughter Elizabeth, now President and Principle of the Velez Organization, would visit his construction sites in order to spend time with him and developed a passion for the building industry. This interest has led to a lifetime of advocacy and support for the industry that is the foundation of our region.

LEADERSHIP

Elizabeth Velez serves as President for all of Velez’s business and management activities. Ms. Velez’s experience in the construction industry has spanned over thirty years and she participates on key industry and powerful advocacy boards, such as the New York Building Congress, she was appointed to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), the NYC Economic Development Corporation, the New York City Police Foundation, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York, the Board of ACE Mentor of New York and the NYC Department of Business Services Advisory Board. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for Boricua College, and serves on the Advisory Board for the Business School of her alma mater, Hofstra University. Ms. Velez holds an MBA and is actively involved in issues supporting the construction industry , and is a recognized leader in equity and inclusion.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

For decades, Velez has been committed to increasing diversity and the role of women throughout the construction industry – recognizing that when New York builds diverse, it builds better. President Elizabeth Velez sits on the Diversity Advisory Board(s) for numerous NYC, NYS and national advisory boards.

Ms. Velez credits the growth of Velez to a commitment to diversity and the creation of opportunities to further support that growth. As a byproduct of staunch support for minority businesses, the firm has gone over and above the requirements to create original diversity solutions embodied in the true spirit of building strong emerging businesses.

Velez believes in exceeding contract requirements for Minority/Woman Business Enterprises (M/WBE) participation. For nearly 50 years, Velez has been New York State and New York City certified Minority Business Enterprise, as well as numerous other certifications with agencies such as DASNY and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.