Construction Labor
Workforce Development &
Staffing Services

Debra Keller-Greene, CEO and
Founder of Keller Professional
Services, began her
entrepreneurial quest in 1997
after being laid off from her
position as Office Manager for a
mental health policy non-profit
organization in Washington, DC.

“Life can be bitter sweet”, says Debra, as she recalls the experience of being
unemployed. Uncertainty of the future was her immediate reality, followed by the
eventual realization that becoming unemployed presented an opportunity to channel
her passion for business towards entrepreneurship. Debra states, “Things could not
have been timed more perfectly”.

In the mid-to late 1990’s business enterprise in the Mid-Atlantic region experienced a
historical paradigm shift brought about by a wave of technological advances, the
emergence of small and minority businesses, education and welfare reform, mergers
and acquisitions, among other external factors.

Keller Professional Services, Inc. was birthed as a result of this paradigm shift,
as Debra, facing unemployment for the first time in her career, channeled her
ambition by addressing the training needs of women transitioning from welfare into
the workforce, …….and endeavoring to recapture the essence of customer service
which was on the decline with the incline of technological advances.

Fast Forwarding to Today……………. 2018
Today’s business paradigm reflects demographic shifts, an aging U.S. workforce, skill
set mismatches, and current and predicted labor shortages in various growth
industries. The critical need to remain globally competitive presents yet another
challenge as we are faced with the implementation of new technologies which are
automating many functions and rapidly rendering lower skill positions obsolete; hence
the need to establish a pipeline of qualified workforce to address current and future
industry demands.

The Construction trades overall (and in Baltimore specifically) are facing shortages of
skilled and unskilled laborers. Many Baltimore City residents lack the education and
skills required for construction trades, and in many cases, those who could work as
unskilled laborers lack the opportunity for employment.

In short, the challenge facing Maryland and other states around the country is the
disproportionate allocation of resources that preclude workforce in isolated
communities, such as West Baltimore, from adapting to a wide range of emerging
trends in a way that will translate into increased economic prosperity for all segments
of the state’s population.

Such disproportionate allocation of resources and lack of investment in West
Baltimore over the past 20 years has had a profoundly negative impact on this
community. Specifically, Sandtown Winchester has the highest poverty level than any
other community in Baltimore City, with the highest number of high school dropouts,
unemployment and health disparities, all of which translate to the lowest average
household income.

The alarmingly high crime rate among 16 and 24 year olds in Baltimore City is directly
attributed to these conditions. It does not take a rocket scientist to understand that
employment is a key factor to reversing this trend of poverty in West Baltimore
specifically and Baltimore City overall. Therefore, re-investment in West Baltimore
and other Baltimore inner-city communities must start with allocation of construction
dollars to revitalize these communities and employ its residents to perform the work.

As Workforce Development Professionals who live in West Baltimore, Debra Keller-Greene and her husband, David Greene, have first-hand knowledge of the needs in the
community. Not only are they committed to investing their time and talents in
revitalizing the community, their business, Keller Professional Services, Inc. is
positioned to employ Baltimore’s residents in the construction trade.

David Greene joined Keller Professional Services, Inc. as a Silent Partner and
Advisor in 2003. David brings expertise in job development and World Class Training.
He has serviced diverse populations in the Mid-Atlantic region. It was David’s idea for
KPS to incorporate staffing as a measurable outcome to training.

KPS currently employs and develops a small crew of construction laborers who reside
in Baltimore City. However, Mrs. Keller-Greene’s vision is to employ and develop at
least 30 laborers and offer consistent work in 2019 in order to make significant
economic impact for the business and its employees.

In addition to OSHA Safety Training for construction laborers, interpersonal and life
skills development are a primary focus for KPS workforce, with emphasis on effective
communication, service excellence, emotional intelligence, and cultural diversity.
Debra considers these disciplines Workplace Survival Skills.

KPS works in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development and
other entities offering wrap around support to Baltimore’s residents. KPS is now
seeking strategic partnerships with the City of Baltimore City and key industry leaders, to offer employees trade skills that lead to career paths in the utilities and other construction trades.

Keller’s Goal is to position the company to provide construction staff augmentation for development and infrastructure projects throughout the City of Baltimore, the State of Maryland and nationally.

Quality Service to our customers is our number one priority. We aim to provide a well-trained, disciplined workforce of local hires to perform general labor on construction and infrastructure improvements and reverse the economic trend of poverty in Baltimore and other inner cities.

We Help our customers Keep Costs Down, Minimize Human Resource Burdens, and become more socially responsible through hiring locally. We cover worker’s comp and meet customer’s insurance and safety requirements.

We provide:
• General Labor
• Heavy Lifting,
• Construction Site Clean-up
• Final Cleaning
• Use of Hand and Power Tools

Construction Projects 2018:

• Renovation of National Computer Center, Social Security Administration at Woodlawn Campus in Baltimore – Qualified and provided labor crew to meet GSA security standards – Performed site clean-up and specialized cleaning – Customer: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

• Renovation and new construction for 154 Unit Public Housing Complex, Anne Arundel County Housing Commission – Freetown Community – Provided labor for final cleaning in preparation for tenant occupancy – Customer: Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Construction Projects Completed 2017

New Construction – Port Covington Distillery and Restaurant – Provided 4 man crew for site clean-up to ensure safety and efficiency during building process and 1 man to assist in final cleaning to prepare for occupancy – Customer: Whiting-Turner Construction Company

KPS is a Qualified Vendor for Sagamore Development/Port Covington

Workforce Development and Consulting Services include
Assessment of Work Readiness:
• Prior Work History and Experience
• Physical and Mental Readiness to work
• Adequate Support Systems
• Possession of Valid Working Credentials
• Criminal Background Review
• Drug Screening
• Legal Status

KPS Also Offers:
• Full life cycle intake and job matching
• Highly motivated, competitive workforce that is attractive to your industry
• Skill enhancement through professional development and career life
strategies
• Life Management Coaching which focuses on employment
retention, interpersonal skills, self-management and leadership development