Supplier Spotlight: Jordy Construction

Jordy Construction is one of our newer partners and diverse suppliers, and our partnership will give them an EDGE.

Jordy Construction, an LGBT-owned business, is one of our newest diverse suppliers. Their mission is “to deliver consistent, innovative, and high-quality construction services while providing value and serving our clients with integrity.”

During Pride Month, we’re reminded of the value that comes from appreciating our diverse backgrounds and working together. We spoke with Charles Jordy, CEO of Jordy Construction, to learn more about his business, what he brings to Verizon and how EDGE (Educate.Develop.Grow.Enrich, our supplier diversity executive leadership program) is making him a better leader.

Jordy Construction was started by Charles’ father 61 years ago. Charles has been running the company for the past 41 years, and is excited to be part of Verizon’s family of diverse suppliers. His company was recently chosen to participate in our EDGE program, which provides diverse suppliers with insight into how Verizon does business, best practices, and building valuable business connections. Here’s more on my conversation with Charles.

Q&A with Charles Jordy

Tell us about your company.

We perform interior construction projects as well as new out-of-the-ground projects. We work in the technology space/technical construction—projects include building battery rooms, clean rooms and data centers. We also specialize in financial services, banks and financial institutions. And we’ve had success in retail and restaurant construction, having built about 60-70 restaurants. These projects are typically very creative interiors, where we can take more of an artistic approach.

How did you initially meet Verizon?

I was attending the NGLCC (National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce) Leadership conference and Verizon approached us. A construction business like ours is unusual in the LGBT supplier community, and that piqued their interest. A few conversations and a few months later, we were approved as a vendor. We were invited to bid on a large project in Seattle to build a new data facility and were awarded the job, which completed last October.

How do you bring added value to the business?

We bring fresh ideas, we’re an innovative team, and we think outside the box. We’re not as large as some traditional suppliers so we can be very nimble and price competitive. As CEO, I am involved in every project. That personal attention brings value to the business.

What does it mean to be accepted into EDGE?

I couldn’t be more excited! I have a college education, but really built my business through the school of hard knocks. I had my first meeting with my mentor, Jim Duncan (leader of Global Advanced Solutions), and it really opened my eyes to look at the bigger picture and how I can develop my team to be the future leaders of our company. For me it will be a master’s in leadership development.

It was inspiring to hear the Verizon leaders speak at the initial meeting about the challenges of your business and your community of employees. What they shared shows a true commitment to diversity and inclusion, not just a superficial label you put on a report. To be a small part of the Verizon team is just phenomenal.

What does Pride Month mean to you?

This year is the 50th year of the Stonewall Riots, which is how this whole movement got started. The LGBTQ+ community could no longer tolerate the inequalities out there. That really got the ball rolling. 50 years is a long time, but change takes a long time. Great strides have been made but we have a long way to go. Hopefully Pride instills pride in our community to keep working for equality, and in my world, equal opportunities for diverse suppliers.

Diverse suppliers make us better.

Supplier diversity stretches across different backgrounds and cultures to bring unique perspectives and creative ideas, which helps us better serve our customers. Here are a few more of our diverse suppliers:

• Ampcus, woman-owned technology consulting and professional services firm.
• Sky Communications, African American-owned systems integrator.
• Telamon, Asian-owned network supplier.

For more information about Verizon’s supplier diversity and inclusion program, please visit Verizon.com/supplierdiversity