This Week We Feature Young Professional Cortez Forbes
Cortez Forbes, fondly referred to as 'TC', is the Managing Director of Rufred Forbes and Associates (RFA); a business started over 40 years ago by his father. It was just 14 years ago that Cortez started as a helper and a runner to his father’s construction company. Today, he is ‘the boss’, along with his highly skilled and abundantly experienced father.
Rufred Forbes and Associates specialise in general construction, luxury homes, commercial and industrial buildings.
Some major projects completed by the company are Frenchman’s Paradise, Brandywine Estate Bayside Residence, the redesign and renovation of the Brandywine Bay Estate Restaurant, the Paraquita Bay Sewer Treatment Plant and repair works at the now Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.
Eager to carry on family legacy
Cortez, a resident of East End, said it was his father who inspired him to jump into the construction industry.
“I was around construction my whole life. My dad’s skill and knowledge intrigued me. He was an open book and was so willing to pass on his knowledge to me,” said Mr Forbes.
He also expressed his eagerness to carry on the legacy of a great craftsman.
The proud son said he enjoys learning from ‘the master craftsman’ every day and also getting to spend quality time with his father as they work on their various projects.
Cortez also admitted that he loves to take his father to a finished product that he worked on himself and get his dad’s ‘stamp of approval’.
Managing the challenges of a growing business
Cortez said that there are many challenges involved when managing an expanding business.
He has to deal with more projects, more employees and more clients (and their needs).
However, the businessman said he just prays and trusts in God.
“My mom always tells me that God is not going to bring you this far and give up on you”, said Cortez.
Cortez is also inspired by people in the community, the people he works with, family and his friends.
Outside of his work, Cortez enjoys “good food, good people and a good glass of wine.”
Education
The Managing Director went to the Francis Lettsome Primary School and then to the former BVI High School (now Elmore Stoutt High School).
He also noted that he went to ‘Rufred Forbes 101’ as his father has taught him a great deal of what he knows pertaining to the construction industry and the business.
When asked what’s next, Cortez told Virgin Islands News Online he would like to continue to build RFA as a brand.
Advice to young people
Cortez's advice to young people was very brief but valuable: "Never give up. Keep at it and keep going."
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10 Responses to “This Week We Feature Young Professional Cortez Forbes”
Stay focus TC You got good men around you