The Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange (SRBX) has been a cornerstone of the local business community for over a century, bringing together thousands of professionals from the construction industry and creating a space for them to build their next project — both literally and figuratively.
At the helm of this venerable institution is CEO Jordan Blair, whose innovative leadership has breathed new life into the organization and expanded its reach beyond Sacramento.
Founded in the early 1900s, SRBX has long been dedicated to fostering connections between businesses that represent everything from architecture, engineering, construction management, the skilled trades, and supply and support companies. Whether bringing companies together under one roof to start planning the next project to connecting the right people with the right vision, SRBX has consistently nurtured the literal growth of the city around them. Under Blair’s guidance, the organization has not only maintained its rich legacy, but also adapted to meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce.
One of Blair’s most significant achievements has been the expansion of the Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) over the past decade. This initiative, which began in Sacramento, has now spread to multiple states, providing education and workforce development training opportunities for those interested in pursuing careers in design and construction.
Blair’s passion for his work is evident in the energy he brings to SRBX and CIEF. He understands the unique value that careers in the built environment offer, particularly in a post-COVID world where many people are seeking meaningful connections. As Blair puts it, “Many people are surprised at the kind of environment you find when you work in construction and the skilled trades, but it’s a profession that provides people with real connections and meaning — the kind I think so many of us realized we took for granted before the pandemic.”
Since the late 1980s, organizations like SRBX have seen a trend of people turning away from the trades in favor of academia and its related professions. However, Blair, SRBX and CIEF are working to remind people of the fundamental importance of construction and the skilled trades. As one of the oldest and most relied upon career paths in the world, the trades play a crucial role in building and maintaining our infrastructure.
There’s a unique pride that comes with working in the construction industry, knowing that you’ve contributed to the physical creation of the world around us. As Blair often points out, while we rightly celebrate doctors and nurses for saving lives everyday, it was construction professionals who designed, engineered and built those hospitals where those lives are being saved and deserve to be celebrated as well. The very structures that protect us, provide for us and, in some instances, save our lives are all thanks in part to the tireless men and women who designed and built them from the ground up.
And while construction may be one of the oldest professions around, that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t change. Under Blair’s leadership, SRBX continues to evolve, embracing new technologies and methodologies while staying true to its core mission of supporting and connecting construction professionals.
In keeping with its commitment to innovation, SRBX hosts one of the largest Women in Construction conferences in the United States and is set to host a groundbreaking speaker series focused on the influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in design and construction. “AI in Construction: Designing and Building the Future” will explore how AI technologies can be incorporated into traditional trade work to enhance efficiency, safety and productivity. The series is a testament to SRBX’s commitment to helping its members prepare for the future of the industry.
As the SRBX moves well into its second century, it remains a vital force in Sacramento’s business community, helping to ensure that construction and the skilled trades continue to thrive and attract new talent for generations to come.
