Business View Caribbean July 2023

21 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 7 INTEGRATED CONSTRUCT ION SERVICES ( ICS) The strategy was simple yet ingenious. ICS started by securing an 8(a) Certification from the Small Business Administration and acquiring a HUBZone certification. This clever approach opened the door to federal contracts without the need for competitive bidding, establishing a steady revenue stream for the fledgling company. Villavicencio reflects on these early days with a touch of nostalgia, likening the company to “a baby tutored by the federal government.” It was these foundational experiences, he believes, that enabled the company to mature, prepare, and organize for the future. Indeed, the rewards of this strategy were profound. ICS enjoyed a steady income for nearly a decade, and the company gained invaluable construction experience, which later secured more commercial clients and managed larger projects. Beyond its reach in Puerto Rico, ICS has also extended its impact beyond its home base. The company has completed projects in the US Virgin Islands and Houston, Texas, a feat Villavicencio describes as “the most rewarding experience of all.” Loyalty, Trust, and Growth Amidst Challenges If loyalty and trust are the glue that holds a team together, Villavicencio could be considered a master craftsman. “Loyalty is the key,” he muses, his words underpinned by hard-earned wisdom. From his company’s earliest days, Villavicencio has understood the significance of rewarding and trusting his employees, ensuring fairness and reasonability in compensation. “We have a group that’s been with us for more than ten years, and they are key components of our success,” he proudly acknowledges. This enduring loyalty has seeped into every company layer, from the primary office personnel to the project management personnel and, most importantly, the hardworking field crew. Beyond fostering a loyal workforce, Villavicencio’s company has also navigated the labor shortage, an issue exacerbated by the Covid pandemic.