12/1/2000
Brindley Pieters Associates, Inc.
"Brindley said, "With people like Ms. Choi, many small businesses can realize their dream of becoming large businesses, someday.""
Brindley Pieters & Associates, Inc. (BPA) was established in 1991 with one employee, Brindley Pieters, P.E., who marketed in the day and designed at night. Prior to establishing BPA, Mr. Pieters had developed significant contacts and established himself as an engineer who provided quality work. He capitalized on this position when he realized his entrepreneurial endeavor and was able to obtain a few small, start-up projects. One project opportunity came by way of his former employer, Delon Hampton & Associates (DHA). DHA had secured an inspection contract for Morse Street located in Seminole County; however, the firm had to close its Southeast Office as a result of Mr. Pieters' job change. Recognizing the potential opportunity, Mr. Pieters offered to personally complete the job as a subconsultant firm for DHA; hence, gaining a contract valued at approximately $5,000 in 1991. Although the Morse Street project did not provide a substantial profit or allow for Mr. Pieters to pay himself a salary, the project did establish the firm as an engineering service provider. BPA continued to pursue and win several engineering projects as a subconsultant for large established engineering firms such as Post Buckley Schuh & Jernigan, Inc., Parsons Transportation Group, Boyle Engineering Corporation and HHCP Architects. In fact, by 1993 the firm had grown significantly to a staff of 11 employees with annual gross receipts of $954,000 compared to 1992 when the annual gross receipts totaled $295,440. As the firm grew so did the project opportunities. As a minority-owned firm, BPA had previously pursued many projects as a subconsultant and only a few projects were pursued as a prime consultant. However, Mr. Pieters continued to market the services of BPA to governmental agencies and other firms for the opportunity to perform a significant project. In the early part of 1994, BPA won a contract worth $1.8 million to serve as the prime engineering design consultant for the Florida Department of Transportation, District One for U.S. 41 (State Road 45). Subsequent significant projects include work at the Orlando International Airport; the Florida Turnpike Project in Tallahassee, FL; Interstate 4; the Lynx Light Rail Project (Preliminary studies) and the Orange County Convention Center. Although established as a significant local and state minority firm with 35 employees completing projects from the panhandle to Jacksonville and from Tampa to Palm Beach, Mr. Pieters desired to provide engineering services nationwide. In 1996, BPA was approved under the Small Business Administration's 8(a) program, which provides assistance including counseling and opportunities to win competitive contracts. The SBA referred Mr. Pieters to the UCF Small Business Development Center for a Management Survey. He met with Eunice Choi, the Assistant Director of the SBDC, who completed the Management Survey covering seven key areas of operation. She also conducted an in-depth financial analysis, which helped Mr. Pieters understand where his company was currently standing in comparison with his competitors. "The SBDC was instrumental in analyzing our balance sheet and profit and loss statements," Mr. Pieters says. "Significant trends were pointed out for us to notice and to track as we move forward." BPA's sales in 1999 were 3.4 million, recording an increase of about $1.2 million over 1998. Eunice recommended Mr. Pieters to apply for the 1999 Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce Top 25 Business Award, complementing his outstanding achievement. This award recognizes businesses in Central Florida who have had the most growth and biggest impact in the area. Mr. Pieters was one of the winners. Following this victory, Eunice nominated Mr. Pieters for the U.S. SBA Small Business Person of the Year award. The winner is chosen from nominations according to the following criteria: Staying power; Growth in number of employees; Increase in sales; Current and past financial reports; Innovativeness of product or service offered; Response to adversity; and Contributions by nominee to aid community-oriented projects. The winners from all 50 states will be invited to Washington, D.C., during National Small Business Week, May 21-27, 2000 which is designated by the U.S. President each year in recognition of the small business community's contributions to the American economy and society. Mr. Pieters said, "Noteworthy also is the assistance that was provided by the SBDC to BPA in the preparation of the nomination package for the Small Business Person of the Year award." These nominations first compete at the State level. In Florida, there are two districts, each of which choose a winner to compete for the State award. The State winners then go on to compete for the national award. Mr. Pieters has won the North Florida Small Business Person of the Year award. On a personal level, Brindley Pieters is committed to being involved in the community and in the development of opportunities and awareness of minorities in business. He has committed both personal and company financial resources of over $15,000 to several agencies and organizations. Some of these organization are the Black Business Investment Fund, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Negro Spiritual College Scholarship Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America, and the University of Central Florida Foundation. He also commits his time in speaking engagements for such organizations as Junior Achievement of America, Inc. and is a member of the 100 Black Men of America. When asked what he would tell a friend about the UCF SBDC, Mr. Pieters replied, "(I would tell them) the UCF SBDC demonstrates the professionalism and expertise to assist many business owners. (Especially) those not versed in accounting, management or even marketing can learn and benefit from the UCF SBDC."