The strength of the American spirit caused thousands of pioneers and adventurers to traverse the plains and the oceans to lay claim to the freedom, which we as a collective culture hold so dear. Were it not for this indelible attraction, our borders would not have been overwhelmed with dreamers and enthusiastic entrepreneurs. For generations, those seeking a better life have come to stake a claim on the open fields of success and prosperity found in this country.

Twenty-two years ago, George Jaber arrived in The United States to earn a degree in Civil Engineering at California State University in Los Angeles. His family roots were planted in Lebanon, a country as multi-cultured as our own. After graduating, he began working as a soil engineer, which allowed him to test samples using the machines of the trade. What grew out of the days spent using the equipment was a deep appreciation of mechanics. Following his use of the machines, Jaber secured a contractors license and began learning the ins and outs of the grading, excavating and demolition industry.

1990 marked the year that Jaber had fulfilled his personal quota of days working for somebody else. For the past 12 years, Doja Inc. has been up and running and growing at a "moderate" pace, according to Jaber. The single office is located on Valley Blvd. in the city of La Puente, between carwashes and convenience stores, but the location does not take away from the fact that he has increased the company’s income from $100,000 in the first year to an expected $7 million this year.

(Above left) George Jaber, President, Doja Inc with Estimator Sammy Cunha. (Above right) Barbara Villagrana, Office Manager.

Dollar amounts are not the only numbers that have gone up. Doja Inc. began with 2 employees and has grown to 25, including individuals in the capacities of superintendents, foremen, machine operators, laborers, attendants, estimators, office managers and secretaries. Mike Hijazi and Allen Makki keep the work moving as foremen, while Dani Mukdad acts as one of the superintendents. Barbara Villagrana keeps Jaber out of trouble and keeps the office running as the office manager and Sammy Cunha functions as the company estimator. Robbie Renteria is the secretary and Sam Sakih is the office assistant.

Doja Inc. is primarily known as a hard demolition company, specializing in wood and steel frame structures as well as multi-story buildings. Jaber said that they are known to do a little bit of grading and compaction, but that is far from the truth. He has always believed in diversifying his resources, which leads him to split demolition and grading projects down the middle. The 50/50 philosophy has allowed him to increase his clientele and organize an increasing number of jobs on both levels. Doja Inc. has worked on projects, which have included pavement, electrical and landscaping, which shows that Jaber is willing to try new things, but he is adamant about keeping his feet firmly planted on the ground.

(Pictured below) A 330L CAT Excavator with hammer attachment pictured at a Doja jobsite.

The company uses several notable tools of the trade, including a 330 CAT with several attachments, such as a couple of 5000-pound hammers, grapple buckets and pulverizers. Jaber established the company because, "life is too short and I needed to go out on my own to get ahead and have a better life. Doja Inc. has allowed me to do that, it has been good to me."

Jaber feels that Doja Inc. is well positioned to endure a crisis in the economy by keeping all expenditures in the black. He has worked very hard to maintain a debt-free company and he hopes that Doja will not be swept away if a recession hits. Jaber will also tell you of the pride he has in his work. He stated that the company’s greatest strength is the fact that they can take a $2 million dollar demolition job, being contracted directly by the owner, and run the project through to its completion all in-house. "We are very competitive; have great service; are debt-free and we will always finish the work. We have done some very complicated jobs and we have been very blessed to have had no accidents, injuries or otherwise."

(Above) At 90 feet of height, a Doja employee prepares for demolition by torch cutting before the complete demolition of the steel structure. (Pictured above bottom) A sequence showing the 90 foot high steel building collapsing via cable pulling.

In the future, jobs may include engineering contracts where they will be building bridges instead of knocking them down. This comes as a result of Jaber’s civil engineering degree and a desire to build in addition to the services they already offer. Since moving to America, Jaber has become a United States citizen and while his mother and father are still in Lebanon, his wife and children have grown up here. He tries to keep close to his parents by visiting every couple of years and while his work schedule is very busy he and his family still find time to travel the world. It has become their hobby of choice. Lebanon is close to Europe and borders the Arab Middle-East, so the Jabers are no strangers to international travel and multicultural values.

"I have been here 22 years now. Life is definitely different here than in Lebanon, but the varied cultural background I received growing up has allowed me an advantage in business through knowing how other cultures think and what they believe. It has made me very open minded to their needs and tendencies," said Jaber.

When asked whether the events in September were of a particular challenge to him, Jaber replied, "I am an American and believe it or not, I had a lot of calls after September 11th. They were supportive calls from clients who were worried about me. Nobody knew what the after effects would be and fortunately, nothing happened to my family or myself. Many Muslims, Christians, Jews and members of every other religion died in the tragedy. I look at it like this, I am part of the American society and what happened that day hurt me very deeply as well."

The future of Doja Inc. looks to be prosperous, as a ten-year goal of $15 million earned in one year has been set. Jaber would also like to alter the guidelines of his business to be a profit-sharing company for his employees and of course continue the American dream.

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