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Career experience: Executive director, South Central Planning and Development Commission, 1973-1978; owner, Melancon Insurance, 1978-1991; Louisiana Legislature, 1987-1993: president and general manager, American Sugar Cane League, 1993-2004; U.S. House of Representatives, 2004-present.
Committees: Agriculture and Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Craig Romero
Age: 52.
Born: Sept. 25, 1954, New Iberia.
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of South-western Louisiana, 1975.
Family: Wife, Pamela, seven children .
Home: New Iberia.
Career experience: employee for family road construction company Francis Romero Inc., 1965-1984; president, Iberia Parish, 1984-1992; consultant and salesman for various companies, including Ace Transport, Dynamic Industries and Frank's Casings, 1991-present; Louisiana state senator, 1992-present.
Minnesota's forest products industries are in a slump. Companies that produce lumber, oriented-strand board and other building materials are particularly hard hit by the sharp decline in new-home construction nationwide. Many have cut back production, and some are closing, at least temporarily, and letting workers go. Some people, including elected officials, suggest cutting the cost of trees from state-owned forests as a measure to help these companies and prevent layoffs. Others object to selling public resources to private companies for less than market value. This debate has a long history at the national level and sheds light on issues in Minnesota. Across the nation, the federal government owns large acreages used for logging or mining. It also owns petroleum deposits in the Gulf of Mexico and natural gas deposits across the West.
Most owners choose the floor plan, finishes and fixtures that go into their custom-built homes. Juan Guevara made those choices and more. He selected each interior and exterior component and confirmed every detail in building his $1 million home in Delaware County. He also hand-picked the roofer, framer, excavator, drywall installer and a host of other subcontractors. Guevara made the decision to be his own general contractor, a choice more homeowners are making in projects big and small. He said his decision to manage the project has saved him a significant amount of money and given him more control over the project. "We went to many custom builders and found that, with the money we would save, we could have more house. I expect to save about $200,000," he said. "With a builder, you dont have as much control." Guevara, the owner of a flooringinstallation company, now has a second full-time job making sure the subcontractors show up when they are needed and that they follow the detailed plans drawn by an architect.
The October 2006 edition of Engineering News-Record Contractors Sourcebook lists Granite Construction Company, with a Branch Office in Indio, California, as one of the Top 400 Contractors for 2005.
Granite Construction primarily bids on public works projects - where low-bid wins - a competitive process that involves some financial risk said Lee Haven, Granite Construction Company Business Development Manager, Southern California Branch.
"It's recognition that you've been able to build public works in a successful manner," Haven said of his company's national ranking. .
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