Leroy Maxwell started as a co-op at Savannah Electric which led to a 30 year career at Savannah Electric and Power Company (SEPCO), now Georgia Power. He started in the engineering department, utilizing his degree from Savannah Technical Institute in Construction Engineering, and ended his career in the Results Lab Department. During Maxwell's career at Georgia Power, he saw the industry evolve as it transformed to cleaner systems that were friendlier to the technical environment, particularly on the coal burning side. Not only did he witness the evolution of processes, he also saw the transition of African- Americans moving up the corporate ladder and being promoted to management and positions of authority.

While working at Georgia Power, Maxwell also took on part-time construction projects. After retirement, he started his own business, MCN Construction Management, Inc. where he specializes in commercial and industrial construction. MCN has 5 full-time employees, including his son Michael, who serves as project manager, and will be graduating from Savannah State University's engineering department this winter. MCN also utilizes subcontractors on many of their projects.

Leroy Maxwell "I enjoy being in business for myself because it allows me to make decisions that have an impact on the livelihood and growth of the business." stated Maxwell. "Though there are some aspects of the business I cannot control, like the economy, I have more control than I would, had I been working for someone else. I have the ability to create jobs and help individuals who may not have gotten a chance otherwise. The MCN family has created a product that can take care of all of us if we approach it with the right mindset."

MCN's projects include working with the City of Savannah and the M/WBE program on the Ellis Square project. They also work regularly with Savannah State University and Georgia Power. The Georgia Power relationship has spanned for 2 _ years so far, and they are looking forward to more opportunities.

Georgia Power sponsored Maxwell to participate in the Small Business Administration's Fast Track Program. "The information I received from that series of workshops was very rewarding. It was one of the best trainings I have ever attended, and I highly recommend minority business owners take the course. It made me look at my business in a different way."

The future for MCN looks bright. They plan to continue growing with Georgia Power by adding new business, increasing their work load and their work force despite this economically challenging environment. Maxwell says "I am really looking forward to having employees with unique and varied skill sets under the MCN family."