Celebrating businesses making a difference in Philadelphia!
In September 2024, the Department of Commerce Office of Workforce Solutions launched the Employer of Choice Initiative in collaboration with the Workforce Professional Alliance (WPA).
The Employer of Choice Initiative is the WPA’s effort to recognize, support and celebrate Philadelphia’s champion employers. The Employer of Choice Initiative strives to recognize the investment and commitment our business community already makes, and will continue to make, in Philadelphia, its economy, and its residents.
This month to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month, the Office of Workforce Solutions, WPA, and Employers of Choice are partnering with the Philadelphia Immigrant Employment Collaborative (PIEC), to highlight how employers are supporting immigrants.
Immigrant Heritage Month is an opportunity for all residents to explore their heritage and celebrate the shared diversity that makes the fabric of America. It’s also a chance to highlight the important role of immigration in the U.S. and recognize the many contributions immigrants bring to our country.
In celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month, the Office of Workforce Solutions and the Workforce Professional Alliance is highlighting Rodriguez Consulting, a local business and 2024 Employer of Choice for their commitment to helping close the skills gap and advancing equitable economic growth.
Hear from Lou Rodriguez (LR), President and CEO, of Rodriguez Consulting about what being an Employer of Choice means to them.
The Employer of Choice Initiative supports the business community
Why do you love being an employer in Philadelphia?
Lou Rodriguez (LR): Philly is our home, and we love being able to contribute to the betterment of our city through building sustainable infrastructure and strengthening our workforce. Every block we improve, every pipe we replace, and every resident we hire reflects our commitment to this community.
What does being recognized as an Employer of Choice mean to your business?
LR: We are excited to be able to expand our impact in the city through greater visibility, new partnerships, and deeper connections to Philadelphia’s workforce ecosystem. This recognition affirms our belief that purpose-driven work, when supported by strong systems and leadership, can create real pathways for people.
What are you most proud of regarding your business’s approach to workforce?
LR: We are most proud of our success in providing individuals, especially those from historically underrepresented communities, with opportunities to enter and grow within the infrastructure industry. That includes hiring people who live in the neighborhoods we serve. Through Rodriguez U, mentorship, and real-world project experience, we are helping people not only access jobs, but build careers.
How has Rodriguez Consulting benefited from embracing immigrant talent?
LR: As a company whose workforce represents six of the seven continents, immigrant talent is not a separate strategy. It is core to who we are. Many of the immigrants we have hired bring world-class education and strong technical backgrounds, which push us to be better. Our ability to solve complex infrastructure problems is strengthened by the diversity of thought, lived experience, and global perspective that our team brings. In a city as diverse as Philadelphia, hiring immigrant talent is not just the right thing to do. It is smart business.
Are there any best practices you could share when you’re recruiting and hiring immigrant talent?
LR: One of our key practices is looking beyond traditional job pathways and being open to potential. We’ve hired people who didn’t fit a conventional resume but had the mindset, drive, and skills to thrive. We also prioritize mentorship and internal training so that employees, regardless of where they come from, feel they belong and have the tools to grow.
Do you have a standout example of success you’d like to share?
LR: Alban Hasa, an immigrant with a background in geospatial science, started with us as a technician and has grown into a leadership role, now managing our geospatial team. His technical skills are matched by his passion for people, and he’s played a vital role in setting new standards, adopting new technology, and building team culture. His story reflects what’s possible when you invest in talent and trust people to lead.
Is there anything else on your mind you’d like to share?
LR: At Rodriguez, we see workforce development as part of the infrastructure we help design and support. It’s not just about maps and plans. It’s about people. Many of the immigrants we’ve hired bring strong technical skills and world-class education that raise the bar for all of us. At the same time, individuals from underserved communities often bring a deep understanding of the neighborhoods we work in. We’ve learned a lot by working alongside both. When you respect people’s backgrounds and give them a real shot, they strengthen the work and the city. That’s what we focus on, one project and one person at a time.
