1995
In 1995, several consulting engineering firms, and government and municipal officials, came together to form the “Pittsburgh Minority and Women Business Enterprise Engineering Initiative.” The name was later changed to the Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach or SPEO.
This group identified the need to provide technical, marketing, and general business assistance to minority and woman-owned businesses in the region. Part of this effort included working with local institutions to encourage and financially support young men and women who are interested in starting a career in the engineering profession.
2004
In 2004, SPEO became a Pennsylvania non-profit corporation.
2006
In 2006, SPEO attained 501(c)3 federal income tax exempt status from the IRS.
Over the years, SPEO members have mentored local minority and women-owned business enterprises (MBEs/WBEs) and provided networking and sub-consulting opportunities. SPEO has also provided educational grants to support programs that enable and empower our region’s potential future engineers and scientists through exposure and discovery of STEM concepts.
Mission Statement
The mission of Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach is to:
Provide opportunities, guidance and mentoring to existing and new minority- and women-owned engineering firms in the area, enabling them to be viable, competitive, self-sustaining members of the business community.
Enable minority- and women-owned firms to provide competitive employment opportunities that will attract and keep talented and ambitious minority and women engineers in the area.
Encourage and support youth to enter the engineering profession.