DEB CONSTRUCTION
After graduating from college, Tammy Vali Martin started working at her father’s company, DEB CONSTRUCTION, which he started in 1976. She joined the company despite her father’s wishes, who thought Tammy should avoid such a male-dominated business. Now, she runs the company with her brother. Tammy runs the office while her brother runs the field. She recently completed building a new branch for Comerica Bank, which was well-received. She looks forward to receiving more projects from them, especially as her company continues to grow. Already, the company has seen a lot of growth within the last two years. Tammy currently has a staff of approximately 50 employees in northern and southern California and struggles to find new superintendents and project managers for the company. This year, she expects $35 million in sales.

BRYANT TEMPLE A.M.E. CHURCH
Dr. Rev. Clyde W. Oden Jr. is the senior pastor of BRYANT TEMPLE AME CHURCH in Los Angeles. He has a vision of a family life center in which his parishioners can more actively engage in their day-to-day activities. With funding provided by Comerica’s faith-based lending program, Rev. Oden has been able to oversee a renovation of the existing and is looking to acquire the adjacent building to create the family life center. Rev. Oden praises Comerica Bank for understanding the church’s needs and its desire to better serve the local community. The church also looks to city, state, and federal government sources for funding in addition to other revenue streams.

In Secrets of Success, Cheryl Mann of New Venture Consulting discusses the steps to take when hiring a subcontractor, from research to drawing up a contract.

Studio Guest Charles E. Sheperd (ceshepherd@comerica.com), vice-president of corporate purchasing at Comerica Bank, discusses the bank’s supplier diversity program in the western market. Comerica works with local chambers of commerce to find companies to work with. Charles also details the steps to take to become a Comerica vendor.