As we celebrate our 40th anniversary, Alston Construction is reflecting on the legacy we’ve built and, more importantly, the legacy we are helping to shape for the future of our industry. To honor this milestone, we are proud to announce our 40th-anniversary legacy gift: Alston Construction is officially a national Keystone Corporate Sponsor for the ACE Mentor Program.
The ACE Mentor Program provides high school students with free, hands-on opportunities to explore careers in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC). At Alston, we know that the future of our industry relies on developing the next generation of builders, innovators, and leaders. This national sponsorship represents our commitment to opening doors for students across the country, giving them the tools, mentorship, and confidence they need to succeed in our industry.
A Full-Circle Journey: From ACE Student to Alston Employee and Mentor
The true impact of this program is best understood through the stories of the students whose lives it changes. We are incredibly fortunate to have a firsthand example right here on our team. Anngel Tarango, an Inventory Controller at Alston, began his journey in the industry as an ACE student in 2016. Through the program, Anngel discovered that construction is a “team sport” and realized the vast opportunities available beyond the field. His journey eventually led him to Alston Construction, where our culture of collaboration perfectly mirrored the values he learned through ACE.
Anngel didn’t just stop at being a student; he returned to the program as a mentor with the Houston chapter, eager to help students realize their own potential and shape their futures.
We asked Anngel to share his full-circle journey from student to mentor, and what this legacy commitment means to him. Read his story below.
The ACE Student Experience
When did you first participate in the ACE Mentor program as a high school student, and what initially drew you to it?
I first participated in ACE Mentor in 2016. I’ve always been someone who loves to learn, especially the behind-the-scenes of how things work. When I discovered ACE offered a free, hands-on opportunity to explore the architecture, engineering, and construction world, I jumped at the chance. I wanted to see for myself if this industry was where I belonged, and it turned out, it absolutely was.
Looking back, what was your most memorable project or “lightbulb” moment during your time as an ACE student?
There are so many memorable moments, but one project stands out above the rest: an RFP centered on upgrading the historic Imperial Sugar Building in Sugar Land, Texas. That project was transformative. It introduced me to everything from scheduling and site preparation to architectural design and presentation. But the most lasting lesson wasn’t technical — it was cultural. That project taught me to replace “I” with “we.” It was my first real understanding that construction is a team sport, and that the best results come when everyone’s voice is at the table.
How did the program shape your decision to pursue a career in the construction industry and ultimately guide your path to Alston Construction?
ACE didn’t just introduce me to the industry — it showed me what was possible within it. Before the program, I didn’t fully understand the breadth of roles that exist beyond the field. ACE opened my eyes to the business, design, and management sides of construction and gave me the confidence to pursue a career in the AEC world. When the opportunity to join Alston came, it felt like a natural fit. The culture of collaboration, the willingness to invest in people, and the belief that everyone has something to contribute where the same values ACE had planted in me years before.
The Mentor Experience
What inspired you to step back into the program as a mentor?
After participating as a student, I became an active mentor and stayed involved through 2023. As my role at Alston grew and travel increased, I transitioned to a volunteer capacity but never truly stepped away. I still work behind the scenes to help run events and show up wherever I’m needed. What inspired me to mentor in the first place was simple: I wanted students to know that you don’t have to be swinging a hammer to have a career in construction. The AEC world is vast, and I wanted to be the person who showed them that.
What has been the most rewarding part of sitting on the “other side of the table”?
There’s a different kind of satisfaction that comes with mentoring — one that’s hard to put into words. Watching students walk in nervous and unsure, then seeing them grow into confident teammates who can stand in front of a panel of judges and deliver a full RFP presentation, that never gets old. Being part of a program that awards scholarships to deserving students makes it even more meaningful. You realize you’re not just teaching construction; you’re helping shape futures.
Is there a specific skill or piece of advice you received as a student that you now make sure to pass on to your mentees?
One thing that stuck with me from my time as an ACE student was watching my mentors show up fully present — not because they had to, but because they genuinely cared. That taught me that your attitude and willingness to engage matters more than what you already know. Now, as a mentor, that’s the first thing I tell my students: show up with curiosity, be a team player, and never be too proud to ask questions. The technical skills will come. Your character is what sets you apart.
Alston’s 40th Anniversary & Sponsorship
As part of our 40th anniversary, Alston is becoming a national Corporate Sponsor for ACE. What does this legacy commitment mean to you?
It’s a full-circle moment that I still have trouble finding the right words for. To go from being an ACE student myself, to helping connect Alston to become a Top-Out Sponsor for ACE Houston, to now watching my company commit to ACE on a national level — it means everything. This isn’t just a sponsorship. It’s a statement that Alston believes in the next generation of builders, designers, and leaders. It means students across the country will have access to the same experience that changed my life, and that Alston will be part of that story for years to come.
Why is ACE Mentor such a natural fit for Alston Construction’s culture and our future?
From my very first day at Alston, I was open to learning the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to run a successful business, and the answer has always been yes. I’ve connected with colleagues from Chicago to Florida, California to New Jersey, and every single one of them has been willing to teach, share, and invest in my growth. That’s the Alston way — developing people at every level, in every role. And that’s exactly what ACE does for students. Both are built on the belief that when you invest in people early and give them access to the right opportunities, great things follow.
What advice would you give to a colleague who is on the fence about becoming a mentor?
Just show up. Chances are there is an ACE chapter in your city right now that needs you. You don’t need to have all the answers, and you don’t need to be a seasoned executive to make an impact. Students aren’t looking for perfection — they’re looking for someone who is real, relatable, and willing to share their journey. The time commitment is manageable, but the impact is lasting. I promise you will get just as much out of it as the students do, if not more. This industry gave us our careers. Mentoring is how we give that back.
