D.A. Everett Construction Group (DAECG) was named a recipient of a Workforce Development Advocate of the Year Award at the Charlotte Economic Development Week Awards & Recognition Luncheon on Friday, October 9, at the Westin Charlotte. DAECG was nominated for the honor. The awards recognized the achievements of entrepreneurs, community advocates, and workforce development champions across the Charlotte region.

“Workforce development is about how we contribute to the industry workforce of tomorrow. For us, that means advocating for the industry, building workforce programs, hosting internships, taking part in career fairs and vendor expos, and making sure access to opportunity is equal. When someone in Charlotte gets a first foot in the door, a skill that sticks, and a career they can grow in, that doesn’t stay with one person. It strengthens their family, their neighborhood, and the local economy. Being recognized by this community for that work is humbling, and this award belongs to our entire team and every partner who has invested in the next generation with us,” said Toya D. Everett, Vice President of Strategy & Business Alignment at DAECG.

The recognition capped a full week of engagement. DAECG was a Gold Sponsor of Charlotte Economic Development Week (October 5-9). The week was formerly known as Charlotte MED Week. This year’s theme, “Charlotte AI Connect: Bridging Innovation and Community,” highlighted how local entrepreneurs connect emerging technology with community impact.

DAECG at Charlotte Economic Development Week

Golf Tournament (Monday, Oct. 5): Malachi Alexander, Durward Hussey, and Caleb James represented DAECG at the fourth annual tournament.
Symposium (Tuesday, Oct. 6): Toya D. Everett joined a panel at the ASPIRE Community Capital Economic Symposium, discussing how businesses can grow and scale in today’s climate. About 150 attendees took part.
Business Connections Expo (Wednesday, Oct. 7): Malachi Alexander and Monica McAllister represented DAECG as a vendor, meeting business owners, partners, and prospective collaborators.
Awards & Recognition Luncheon (Friday, Oct. 9): DAECG received its Workforce Development Award.

Symposium panel: growing and scaling in today’s climate

Hosted by ASPIRE Community Capital, the symposium brought together business owners, advocates, and public- and private-sector leaders to discuss access to opportunity in a changing environment. Speaking from DAECG’s perspective that has grown from a small business into a regional contractor, Toya shared several takeaways:

Certification is a tool, not a strategy. A certification can open a door, but it can’t win the work, build your capacity, or keep your business growing. Firms that treat it as the plan can stall when they outgrow it. Firms that treat it as one tool among many build the financial strength, relationships, and track record to compete at any size.
Business acumen outweighs the capability statement. Winning work depends on understanding where you are in your business lifecycle, knowing your numbers, and building real relationships. A polished brochure alone won’t do it.
Capacity is built, not announced. Financial strength, operational systems, and the right people have to come before the opportunity does. AI is changing how businesses build capacity, but it does not alleviate or replace a strong business acumen; you must be able to strategically solve complex business problems, understand data and financials, and navigate the overall business climate. As your business grows and scales, so do the complexities.
Primes have a role. Intentional, ongoing outreach to trade partners and small firms creates real pathways.