Our Founder

Richard Adams, our founder, is the owner of Blue 52 Properties and a long-time real-estate investor interested in filling the workforce gap in construction in his own communities he operates in across the United States. Having previously served in the military and been involved in technology implementations within the state, he has a solid understanding around process management, skills training, and the need for a qualified workforce.  After encountering many stories from workers on his real estate project, particularly when flipping homes, he has found a need to assist many workers in their paths forward in construction through proper training, certifications, and getting to journeyman status in the trades. 

(House flipping typically refers to buyers who purchase distressed properties, fix them up, and then resell them for a profit.)

 
 

Our Vision

Our vision for BUILDING LOCAL UNTAPPED ENTREPRENEURS INCORPORATED (BLUE), also known as a part of the BLUE Enterprises organization, is to assemble a non-profit that can train, educate and enhance workforce development in the construction trades through appropriate partnerships and alliances and special projects that mix on-the-job training with classroom-based learning for stronger entrepreneurial journey for the BLUE project participants – each as a construction professional that can be their own boss.  These workers can learn and grow professionally and personally by participating in redevelopment initiatives, housing, and related commercial construction in key communities beginning in the Midwest and moving across the United States over the next decade.

 

Our Focus

Our initial focus in these early years as an organization is to strengthen youth entrepreneurship in construction trades in the Jefferson County area of Kentucky, and in nearby communities across the state.  We initially will put a strong emphasis on the 17-25 year-old set in our cohort training programs, slated to begin in mid-to-late 2022, contingent on fundraising.

We also encourage women and Vets to work with us to build a cohort of older adults interested in a second career in the construction field, seeking the building blocks to break out as a licensed or certified professional in HVAC, plumbing, concrete or carpentry with some entrepreneurial coaching and mentorship. 

There is no time to waste as 2.2 million workers are needed in the next three years nationwide, according to Business Insider magazine.

 
 
 

Our Team

Our organization, BLUE, LCC, is focused on training youth, filling skills gaps, and opening up real world environments through basic entry level training in trade areas of HVAC, electrical work, and construction/home repair. BLUE, LLC stands for Building Louisville Untapped Entrepreneurs. 

Our board members include: 

  • Steven Arkon
  • Angela Dunn, VP of HR, UPS, serving as board secretary
  • Eric Williams, President, EJOOV, serving as treasurer

Lead Instructors for this Program:

  • Executive Director Richard Adams,Licensed Commercial Builder
  • Barry Murphy, HVAC expert and trainer
  • Jim Baseen, Licensed Electrician