Before Anna and Darrel Sauceda launched Associated Construction Services five years ago, Anna had worked as a teacher and a YMCA director, and Darrel had worked for more than 25 years as a general contractor. Between them they had the technical experience as well as the knowledge of management necessary to run a successful building operation.

"We know every level of contracting," Anna, president, says. "But most importantly we know what to do to provide management skills to get a job done."

Based in Whittier, CA, ACS has received more than $7 million in contracts this year. Anna attributes much of the company's success to her employees' commitment to contracting with integrity and loyalty and a hands-on approach to jobs.

ACS handles projects in only Southern California so that the group can be actively involved in all aspects of the construction process. One of the 500 fastest growing Hispanic companies, ACS handles general construction, project management, tenant improvements, design, and building for both residential and commercial projects, including many McDonald's restaurants and 99 Cents Only Stores. "We like to stay local so [that] we can provide those services," Anna says.

Anna estimates that the company gets 99 percent of its projects by word-of-mouth, most often from previous clients. And although many companies are just general construction or construction management, ACS does both, which, according to Sauceda, "gives [the company] a high level of visability."

The ACS Group has completed more than one million square feet of tenant improvement spaces, and it has worked on projects ranging from large industrial office spaces to restaurants to showrooms for homebuilders.

Another appealing aspect of ACS is its workplace. The company's 1,200-square-foot office is inside the Saucedas' 107-year-old Victorian home, so employees and clients alike have the luxury of enjoying a cozy atmosphere while conducting business. "People come into our home and get the feel of family and the feel of good business," she says. The home-based office has three desks, an outdoor meeting area and enough workspace for five employees. "I think we're a good example of how to provide a home-work environment."

Sauceda also talks with excitement about ACS's involvement in construction projects in two construction projects in the Whittier community.

Parnell Park is a 14,000-square-foot community center, with a kitchen, several large meeting rooms and a library. "The community seems to have embraced it, and I'm proud to be a part of it," Sauceda says.

After ACS built the community center in Whittier, Anna says, "The city was so pleased, they asked us to take part in the bidding process for the pedestrian trail." That trail, the Greenway Trail, is a five-mile bike-and-pedestrian path in the works in Whittier, and the Saucedas have reached out to the community to get suggestions from both children and adults on ways that they would like the trail, which will replace an abandoned railroad, to be utilized.

In addition to being active builders in the community, the Saucedas are also active in church and other community groups, including the YMCA Board. "We're very busy people," Anna says. They're involved with the Willie G. Ministries, which allows them to feed more than 3,500 families in surrounding communities during the holidays each year.

Things seem to be going well for ACS, but the Saucedas appreciate all the work that they get. "We thank God," Anna says. "We know we are blessed."