Earlier this year SMSA was thrilled to add Harkins Builders to their list of corporate supporters. Harkins is a construction management firm specializing in multifamily, commercial, and government building projects and has supported several NAVFAC projects over the years.
In 2019 SMSA launched a new initiative providing Career and Technical Education (CTE) scholarships to students interested in pursuing endeavors outside of the traditional four-year college program. Harkins was particularly interested in supporting this effort as a shortage of skilled trade workers directly impacts its industry. Harkins enthusiastically worked with SMSA to provide funding to support the education and training of students interested in construction, engineering and other related fields.
Ben Nichols, a Veteran Marine now employed by Harkins, championed the support of SMSA. Nichols worked directly with the Seabees in Rota, Spain as a Marine Corps Combat Engineer and served in a liaison role with NMCB 5. “Harkins has been a proud supporter and partner of our Nation’s military for over 50 years. We are honored to support Seabees, their children and grandchildren through our contribution to the Seabee Memorial Scholarship Association,” Nichols said. “As a Company we look forward to continuing to be a premier partner with the Department of Defense in building and improving our nation’s infrastructure as well as continuing to put our transitioning veterans to work!”
In June, SMSA received heartwarming news that one of its scholars, Daniel Dunchack, son of UT2 Ryan Dunchack of NMCB 23, was hired upon graduating from Saint Vincent College to work at Harkins as a Project Engineer. SMSA is proud to see its efforts come full circle as its scholars support a company that so proudly supports them.