CME: Building Opportunity Beyond the Stadium
CME: Building Opportunity Beyond the Stadium
September 2026
A major construction project can do more than change a skyline. It can open doors for local businesses, create pathways into the workforce, and support greater economic stability for families.
That broader vision shaped K. Jennings & Associates’ support of Charles Mann Enterprises (CME) at the First & Goal: New Commanders Stadium Construction Kick-Off & Resource Expo. In a business development facilitation role, KJA supported CME’s focus on connecting industry partners, advancing workforce development, and supporting long-term economic sustainability for families within the District of Columbia.
Held September 9 at Capital Turnaround in Washington, DC, the event brought together construction industry partners, District leaders, and local business resources for a conversation about the opportunities ahead.
A Full-Circle Moment for Charles Mann
Hosted by Clark Construction Group, Mortenson, Smoot Construction, and the Washington Commanders, First & Goal introduced businesses and industry partners to opportunities associated with the new Commanders stadium project.
CME founder and former NFL champion Charles Mann served as emcee, bringing his connection to the team into a new setting: a gathering focused on construction, business participation, and community opportunity.
For Charles and the CME team, the event represented a full-circle moment. It connected a legacy built on the football field with a forward-looking commitment to helping businesses and communities participate in what comes next.
The focus was on more than a new stadium. It was about building opportunity alongside it.
Connecting Industry Partners With a Path Forward
For businesses interested in a major construction project, understanding where to begin is an important first step. First & Goal gave participants an opportunity to learn about upcoming work, ask questions, and connect with the organizations involved.
The event’s agenda included:
Upcoming stadium procurement packages and how to prequalify to bid.
Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) certification.
FirstSource requirements.
The project’s labor agreement.
Networking with construction teams, prime contractors, District leaders, and local business resources.
These conversations brought business development and project readiness into the same room. They gave participants a forum to better understand the process and explore where their capabilities might align with future project needs.
KJA’s Role: Supporting Connections With Purpose
KJA supported CME through business development facilitation, with an emphasis on industry relationships, workforce development, and the long-term well-being of District families.
That role reflects how KJA approaches its work: bringing people, priorities, and possibilities into alignment. Business development is not simply about making an introduction. It is about helping establish relationships with a clear purpose and a shared understanding of what progress can look like.
In the context of First & Goal, that meant supporting CME’s efforts to connect conversations about construction with a broader community vision—one that considers business participation, workforce pathways, and family economic stability together.
Building a Legacy Through Relationships
First & Goal brought together people with different roles in a common undertaking: construction leaders, local businesses, public-sector representatives, and community resources.
KJA was proud to support CME at this intersection of business development and community impact. Charles Mann’s role as emcee underscored the connection between the Commanders’ legacy and the possibilities ahead for the District.
As those conversations continue, KJA remains focused on what makes partnerships meaningful: connecting the right people, supporting shared goals, and keeping the businesses, workers, and families behind the project at the center of the work.
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