From left: Boston Planning & Development Agency Director of Research Alvaro Lima, Cruz Companies President & CEO John B. Cruz, III, MAPS Executive Director Paulo Pinto and MAPS Board of Directors President Paula Coutinho

CAMBRIDGE – Wednesday, May 3, 2017 – Cruz Companies President and CEO John B. Cruz, III received the Alvaro Lima Outstanding Business Award from the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) during its recent, annual awards gala in Cambridge.

“We thank Mr. Cruz for never forgetting his family’s immigrant beginnings, and continuing to offer employment opportunities to the community,” said MAPS Executive Director Paulo Pinto. “With its deep Cabo Verdean roots, we are proud that Cruz Companies is one of the country’s top minority-owned construction real estate development businesses.”

Cruz Companies is the oldest and largest minority-owned construction and real estate development firm in the region, responsible for landmark projects and developments.

“Like MAPS, Cruz Companies works to embrace and maintain our immigrant heritage and diversity of the Portuguese-speaking community,” said Cruz. “My thanks go out to Paulo Pinto, and the entire MAPS leadership and Board for this recognition.”

The company was founded by John’s late-father, “Bertie” Cruz in 1948 as a small, Cape Verdean business. Throughout its history, Cruz has embraced diversity by providing well-paying jobs in the construction industry, building affordable housing in inner city minority communities, and by contracting with other minority businesses such as subcontractors, architects, engineers, attorneys, consultants, suppliers, etc.

For more information, visit www.CruzCompanies.com