The Plan Room is a business accelerator created to enhance technical capacities, networks, advocacy, and growth opportunities for Black and minority businesses in the construction industry.
Meet the team who will be working to provide these resources to the Louisville construction community!
Did you miss the webinar? Visit the link below to view the recording and resources:
Want to learn more? Visit us at ThePlanRoom.org to hear about the kinds of resources that will be available through The Plan Room, from direct classes and capacity building/mentorships, to RFP and bid information about work that is available, to networking and connection opportunities within the industry.
Evon J. Smith, a real estate developer with more than 20 years of experience, joined OneWest as President and CEO on January 2, 2018.
Smith is the founding president of Sustainable Community Resources, a real estate development firm with offices in Winston-Salem and Greensboro, North Carolina that specializes in rural and urban real estate development in low-to-moderate resource communities.
She is a partner on the $100 million, mixed-use South Elm Street Redevelopment Project (now Union Square) in Greensboro, and she led redevelopment of the historic Goler Heights neighborhood in downtown Winston-Salem. That project included construction of more than 20,000 square feet of commercial and retail space and more than 200 new housing units.
Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, N.C., and completed executive leadership programs at Duke and Harvard universities. She also served 10 years on the North Carolina State Association of Community Development Corporations board, the North Carolina Department of Transportation Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Board, and the Downtown Winston-Salem Partnership Real Estate Committee.
As President & CEO, Smith will direct implementation of OneWest’s five-year strategic plan, which includes commercial and mixed-use development efforts beginning at the 18th Street and West Broadway corridor. Continuing the work that the OneWest board and volunteers have already begun, Smith will build relationships with government, nonprofit, business and community organizations, and act as an advocate for responsible investments, financial commitments and policies that impact west Louisville.
(502) 384-0490
Donovan C. Taylor
Donovan C. Taylor serves at the Director of The Plan Room leading efforts to increase equity and inclusion in the construction industry through training and advocacy to remove barriers of entry for new business and wealth-building opportunities. Before taking the position to lead The Plan Room, Mr. Taylor served on the OneWest, Inc. Board as the Chickasaw neighborhood representative. Mr. Taylor chaired the Young Entrepreneurs Committee purposed to engage with local business owners to increase inclusion in area development projects that inspired the establishment of The Plan Room.
Mr. Taylor has over fifteen years of combined experience in business and tax strategies, law and legal practices, and an excellent working understanding of community organizing and development. Committed to promote community and civic responsibilities, Mr. Taylor is recognized for collaborating with public and private groups/stakeholders to advance community-based initiatives.
Mr. Taylor is a proud graduate of Louisville Central High School Magnet Career Academy, Class of 1996. Graduate of Florida A&M University earning his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Business Management and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree in 2001. Graduate of University of Kentucky College of Law earning his Juris Doctorate (J.D.) in 2004.
(502) 384-0490
Chen Pang
Chen Pang is a graduate student from University of Louisville with Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA). He is an intern at OneWest. His job is assisting Business Development Department and data processing. Recently, he is working for the Plan Room project. He also helped to prepare MBE Virtual Conference during his intern.
(502) 384-0490
John F. Hilliard
John F. Hilliard is a Construction Manager and Consultant who is currently with ONEWEST and MCAK providing construction management and leadership to those organizations. He is a certified commercial building inspector. Having spent 25 years working in the construction industry on projects up to 40 million dollars in value and in multiple capacities, has mastered and proven skills in construction management, consulting, engineering and mentoring youth and construction entrepreneurs.
John has provided leadership on projects such as the Muhammad Ali Center, KFC YUM Center, Kentucky International Convention Center. His own company, JF Hilliard Company LLC, has provided employment and educational opportunities for individuals wanting to become involved in and learn the construction industry. He currently serves as the Vice President of the Minority Contractor’s Association of Kentuckiana.
John holds a BS in Engineering from West Point and has served 20 years in the U.S. Army as an Armor and Aviation officer. He has been performing professional construction services in the Louisville area for 15 years in various capacities.
