Giving Back (Kara Portnell)

Joining us for the penultimate episode of BLRH season 1 is Kara Portnell.  Kara has served as the executive director of Early Learning Property Management, Inc. for the past 20 years. Prior to serving as Executive Director, Kara provided construction management and program services for ELPM, along with Jack Pinkerton, who, as a retired contractor, volunteered his construction expertise and services. Kara continues to lead and manage ELPM’s mission, development, construction projects, and center maintenance/capital projects, along with the overall management of ELPM. ELPM’s mission is to transform early childhood learning and development in underserved communities by building and maintaining high-quality, safe facilities, as well as enhancing existing centers. Since its inception, ELPM has worked with the Head Start grantees and other non-profit early care providers to address the need for additional quality early learning facilities. To date, ELPM has purchased, renovated or constructed 15 high-quality early education centers located in Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Barrow, and Paulding counties. These ELPM centers have accumulatively served approximately 46,000+ young children and their families in licensed, Quality Rated and nationally accredited, or equivalent, centers.---0:00 Introduction1:03 Special BLRH shoutout3:50 Kara and ELMP introduction5:51 Building a career in construction8:42 Jack Pinkerton11:30 ELMP's impact16:03 Quality Facility Initiative (QFI)20:09 Budgeting in today's world24:23 Building trust on the foundation of past success29:23 Multi-Model approach33:55 A small but mighty team40:44 Mission first43:26 Greatest success48:55 Motivated to serve---Click here to subscribe to BLRH on your favorite platform and listen to other episodes.Share this link with your network so they don't miss out on BLRH!Building Leaders Radio Hour is produced by Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia.  ABC of Georgia is a network of companies and professionals within the develop-design-build industry that is committed to connecting the disciplines of construction to benefit the industry, the economy, and employment in Georgia.  Thanks for listening!