San Francisco, December 3, 2015 –Jerry Overaa, CEO of Overaa Construction, received the second annual ENR California’s Legacy Award. This award honors an industry veteran with many years of experience who has made extensive contributions to their profession and their community. Overaa received the award at ENR California’s 2015 Best Projects for Northern California at the Julia Morgan Ballroom in San Francisco today.
Overaa has more than 52 years of experience in the construction industry, and has held positions ranging from delivery boy to President and CEO. He joined Overaa in 1966 after receiving an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Stanford University. Under his direction, the firm grew from an annual dollar volume of $10 million in 1974 to $275 million today.
Overaa has played a significant role in the shaping of California’s construction industry. He was a founding member and Past President of California’s Construction Employers Association (CEA) and has been closely involved in the education of young construction professionals. He has served on various advisory boards at Stanford University and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he has guest lectured as well as endowed scholarships and buildings.
“Jerry Overaa has devoted his career to making valuable contributions to the construction industry,” said Michael Walton, Secretary of the Construction Employers’ Association (CEA.) “He has held numerous leadership positions with the CEA since being one of its founding members nearly 30 years ago: Past President; Board member since CEA’s inception; key policy maker for CEA’s Carpenters Craft Committee and Laborers Craft Committee which negotiate Northern California industry labor agreements. Jerry has championed and serves as Chairman of the CEA Construction Management University Grant Program, which has provided $1.92 million in grants to California University Construction Management Programs. He serves as Co-chairman of the Northern California Carpenters Pension and Annuity Trust Funds, supporting retirement for Carpenters. Jerry is widely recognized as an innovator with the energy, vision and credibility to make a difference in the Northern California construction industry. He is deserving of this prestigious award.”
Born and raised in Richmond, California, Overaa is known for giving back to his community. He devotes his personal time and resources – and his company’s time and resources – toward various community organizations – such as the Oakland Zoo, Making Waves Academy in Richmond, Bay Area Rescue Mission, Salesian Boys and Girls Club of Richmond, Muir Heritage Land Trust and many others.
About Overaa Construction
Headquartered in Richmond, CA, Overaa Construction is a design-build general contractor conducting operations throughout California since 1907. Overaa provides a variety of collaborative services including sustainable, design-build services to commercial, industrial, municipal and educational clients. Overaa is 350-person firm and was voted one of the best places to work by San Francisco Business Times and is one of Northern California’s largest craft labor employers.