Real Estate and Development | Construction
President
Diamond Discs International | Milwaukee
Ugo Nwagbaraocha, president of Milwaukee-based construction tools wholesaler Diamond Discs International, has emerged as a leading advocate for contractors of color statewide, lobbying for the state to take a more active role in helping minority-owned firms better compete for federally funded projects. Nwagbaraocha has served as president of the National Association of Minority Contractors’ Wisconsin chapter since 2019, and this year he was elected to serve on the national board of directors for the NAMC. He has served on the board of directors for Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce since 2013, is chairman of MMAC’s Business Council, and is on Children’s Wisconsin’s board of directors.
Education: Bachelor’s, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
First job and what did you learn from it: “Summerfest security guard. Treat people with respect, and let your actions demand respect. And good music is good music!”
Career advice: “My dad’s advice to me, ‘Make your point, but don’t burn the bridge. You never know when you might want to go back over that bridge.’ I am very thankful that I have helped build many formidable bridges in my career, literally and figuratively.”
Book recommendation: “‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail’ by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. True lesson in leadership and humility.”
What would make Wisconsin better: “More successful African American-owned businesses expanding and investing in the local communities.”