AWE Principals

TOM R. AKERS
Tom R. Akers, co-founder of AWE, is a graduate of Mount Union College-Alliance, Ohio and Akron University-Akron, Ohio.  He has BAs in accounting and computer science.  Tom oversees all AWE technical, consulting, customer service, administrative and financial matters.  His consulting experience includes the areas of small and disadvantaged business development programs, economic disparity and DBE availability studies, contract management, purchasing and procurement policy/procedure development and training, computer software development, and DBE annual and contract goal methodologies. 

Tom developed the methodology for conducting the first “multi-jurisdictional” regional economic disparity study in the country.  He has conducted several economic studies and analyses to support the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and has developed annual DBE goals for highway, mass transit, and aviation modes of transportation, per federal regulation 49 CFR Part 26.  He created the BizTrak® Computer Software System and Web Applications, the premiere DBE computer software suite of products in the nation.  BizTrak® systems are being used by government entities and major corporations throughout the country to track, monitor and report small business contract activity.

CHARLES WHITEHEAD
Co-founder of AWE, is a third generation contractor with more than 29 years of diverse construction industry management and entrepreneurship.  His experience includes commercial, industrial and high-end custom residential projects.  He is a licensed contractor in Nevada and California.
    
Mr. Whitehead is adept in subcontractor and vendor motivation and follow-up with a history of excellence in all aspects of project execution.  He has extensive experience training contractors in the areas of construction management, bid estimating, bid proposal and preparation, scheduling, project management for primes and subs, project selection, budget preparation, permits and legal processes, subcontractor relations, building plans, contract negotiations, purchasing, public utility coordination, build-out and quality control.  His exceptional interpersonal skills enable him to relate quickly and easily to a wide range of cultures, personalities and business levels.
    
Charles completed the Light Construction and Land Development Program at the University of California, Riverside, and numerous Building of America classes and trainings relating to project management, customer service, marketing, sales and other areas of expertise.  

TAMMY WHITEHEAD
Tammy Whitehead, vice president of administration, has 20 years of administrative experience in managing day-to-day operations of her family owned construction company.  Her management experience and history of performing under deadline pressure are invaluable in coordinating AWE’s administrative activities and workflow.  In 2000 she bought a Help-U-Sell franchise and went on to achieve more than $27 million in annual sales, all while waging a successful battle against breast cancer.  She returned to construction as majority owner of Desert Premier, Inc. where she and husband Charles continue a family history of excellence in commercial construction.   Tammy works closely with the AWE team to plan and execute special projects.

JUANA HART
Juana Hart, vice president of marketing, is a former television news anchor/reporter, producer, and marketing consultant.  She is responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for AWE, and for AWE clients as needed, including consulting, marketing materials, media and public relations campaigns, outreach, crisis management, writing/editing, facilitation and TV/Video productions. Juana works closely with the AWE team to plan and execute special projects.  She is a graduate of the University of Texas at El Paso with a BBA in Marketing.