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More than a year of careful planning recently came to fruition when the AGC-New Mexico Building Branch launched the Architecture, Construction & Engineering (ACE) Leadership High School in August 2010.
This public charter school was the brainchild of the leaders of the New Mexico Building Branch, including Maria Guy, a vice president at JB Henderson Construction and past president of the Chapter, and Vicki Mora, the CEO of the Chapter.
Members of industry wholeheartedly backed the new school with funding for its planning and remodeling, including J.B. Henderson Construction, Shad James of the Jaynes Corporation, the Rick Johnson Company, Cynthia Schultz of Bradbury Stamm Construction, and many others. The Chapter’s Construction Leadership Council helped develop the school’s curriculum.
Speaking at the launch, New Mexico Lt. Governor Diane Denish said, “ACE Leadership is the reason we have public charter schools in our state - because innovation is the key to our future. This school represents the perfect convergence of the public and private interests, ensuring a bright future for all of us when successful partnerships like this take hold.”
She further complimented the industry for its vision and commitment during the current economic downturn. “The payoff for this investment may be four to eight years away when these young people enter the work force. That time horizon is a testimony to the bold vision of those of you who have started this school.”
AGC of America president Ted Aadland, who traveled to Albuquerque for the launch of the school, said, “In preparing students to meet the challenges of tomorrow, this school will teach them to become critical thinkers and problem solvers today. … Our education system and our graduation rates would be significantly better if schools like the one we are opening today were the rule, instead of the exception.”
“ACE Leadership is a direct response to AGC members’ needs,” said Maria Guy during the launch ceremony on August 25, 2010. “Even during this tough economic climate, our members have been visionary in the creation of this school, which offers a vital solution to our future workforce needs.”
Read Ted Aadland's remarks from the New Mexico charter school opening.
To learn more about the ACE Leadership school, including a video introduction from Mari Guy, visit the school’s website.