Ocean View Company U.S. Small Business of Year

OCEAN VIEW — Anne C. O’Brien, president of Kalimex, Inc., an Ocean View-based construction company that worked on the project to help reopen the stairs to the crown in the Statue of Liberty, was named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2010 National Prime Contractor of the Year, by SBA’s Administrator Karen G. Mills at a National Small Business Week, May 23-29 awards ceremony.
In making the announcement, Mills said, “Today we celebrate the contributions of the outstanding business leaders, government officials and small businesses whose inspiring work in the federal contracting arena are creating jobs and helping lead economic recovery.
“Contracting with small businesses is a win-win for both the government and small businesses. The government gets access to the most innovative companies and small businesses get the oxygen they need to grow and take their businesses to the next level.”
Nominated by the National Park Service for its exemplary performance in opening the stairs to the crown in the Statue of Liberty for the first time since 9/11, Kalimex skillfully executed the fast-track design build project to install code-compliant access for visitors, safe ascent up the famous double helix stairway to the observation level in the statue’s crown. The National Park Service described Kalimex’s work on the Statue of Liberty as “sleek, elegant and magnificent.”
Kalimex was judged for the award based on criteria that include: exceptional management capabilities, interface with their customer, financial strength of the company and its ability to deliver quality and timely services at a cost-savings to the National Park Service.
Prior to starting Kalimex in 1996, O’Brien was employed by the Manuel International Steel where she worked he way up to vice president. In 1980, she went on to start her own successful steel company.
After a downturn in the steel industry, she decided to start Kalimex, Inc. Today, the company employs 35 people and has sales in excess of $18 million and offers its customers construction services that include design build, new construction, renovations, heavy construction, and industrial, institutional and historical restorations.
O’Brien attributes part of her success to SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program, which has given the company access to contracting opportunities through the federal government. During its nine year participation in the program, the company has received 48 contracts in excess of $30 million.
In accepting the award, O’Brien said, “Kalimex is humbled by the nomination from the National Park Service for its exemplary performance in opening the helical stairs to the crown in the Statue of Liberty for the first time since 9/11.
“A company is only as good as the sum total of its people and our receipt of this prestigious award is testament to the high quality and commitment of our personnel, subcontractors, designers and material men in providing second to none construction services to the Federal Government, she added.”
In addition to its work on the Statue of Liberty, Kalimex provided exterior building renovation and masonry repairs on Edgar Allan Poe’s historic house in Philadelphia.
Kalimex’s other major projects include ongoing work at Walter Reed Army Medical Center building ramps, stairs and other upgrades to comply the American Disabilities Act, and working with the Army Corps of Engineers to provide vital flood protection at Fort Belvoir in Virginia on stream restoration.