Calmentor Program

Calmentor Program - District North Region (1,2,3)

Building Partnerships. Growing Business.
The Calmentor Program connects small firms with established partners to expand opportunities in California’s North Region.

Upcoming Events:

September 23, 2025 I Breakfast with DPAC (In-PERSON)
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Breakfast with DPAC: A&E Look Ahead & Lock In Tickets, Tue, Sep 23, 2025 at 9:00 AM | Eventbrite
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Caltrans North Region Consultant Services Unit (CSU) has implemented an Architectural & Engineering (A&E) mentor-protégé program, also known as “Calmentor". The Calmentor Program is consistent with the Governor’s Executive Order No. S-11-06 to encourage new businesses, grow existing businesses, and promote small and emerging business contracting with the State of California.

Calmentor supports the participation of certified Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE), and Disabled Veterans Business Enterprises (DVBE) firms in the North Region. Voluntary participation in the program is through acceptance and screening of completed applications from mentors and protégés.

Mission & Goals

Pair small firms with larger firms
Grow opportunities for SBEs, DBEs, D/VBEs
Provide equal access to transportation projects
Build long-term business relationships
Encourage certification

Testimonials

“Ghirardelli Associates, Inc. started as a women-owned DBE construction management firm in 1999. After graduating from the Calmentor program, Ghirardelli has successfully primed numerous Caltrans contracts statewide. The Calmentor Program helped us understand how to submit and deliver on Caltrans contracts. Ghirardelli is a dedicated longtime mentor in the Calmentor Program (North, Central, and District 4); giving back to the program that helped shape us.”

- Elizabeth Raynal, Business Development Manager – Ghirardelli Associates, Inc./Steering Committee Member - Calmentor North Region

Goals and Objectives

Establish a mentoring Program that pairs small firms with larger, established firms in the same field of expertise
Enhance the growth potential of small firms
Ensure that both small and large firms have equal opportunities to participate in transportation projects
Establish a clear, accessible entry point for small firms that want to do business with Caltrans or other public agencies
Develop business relationships that foster new opportunities for both large and small firms
Encourage small firms to obtain certification from appropriate agencies
Increase the pool of small businesses

Resources

Ready to grow your business with Caltrans?
Contact us: calmentor.northregion@dot.ca.gov

Calmentor Program