GSA: Participate in ACE Mentoring Program

GSA #10108

September 8, 2004
Contact: Deborah K. Ruiz (202) 501-1231
deborah.ruiz@gsa.gov

WASHINGTON, DC – As part of its continuing efforts to introduce and expand awareness of the design and construction industry among high school students, the U.S. General Services Administration today announced its participation in a mentoring program focused on providing students with an introduction to the fields of architecture, engineering and construction.

"This is an opportunity for the federal government to give back to American communities, said F. Joseph Moravec, Commissioner of GSA's Public Buildings Service.  Mentoring allows for the sharing of ideas, resources and successes.  By participating in this program, we can attract young people to public service in the areas of design and construction."

Mr. Moravec led the GSA effort to participate in the ACE Mentor Program of America. His awareness of the benefits in increasing the numbers of students interested in design-and- construction-related careers led to GSA’s participation in the program.

The ACE Mentor Program is a not-for-profit organization where emphasis is placed on encouraging high school students toward architecture, construction, engineering and related careers, as well as in providing mentoring opportunities for top industry professionals.

The program will begin in GSA’s Public Buildings Service, with programs in the agency’s Office of the Chief Architect and National Capital Region.  A GSA team of mentors and ACE students will focus on various architecture, engineering, and construction projects.  These efforts will act as a “living laboratory” for the students as they complete the year  long after-school program, which includes an introduction to all aspects of the design industry.

GSA is a centralized federal procurement and property management agency created by Congress to improve government efficiency and help federal agencies better serve the public. It acquires, on behalf of federal agencies, office space, equipment, telecommunications, information technology, supplies and services. GSA, comprised of 13,000 associates, provides services and solutions for the office operations of over 1 million federal workers located in more than 8,000 government-owned and leased buildings in 2,000 U.S. communities.