Major infrastructure projects are often defined by what people can see—tunnels carved beneath cities, stations that anchor new transit hubs, and miles of rail connecting communities. Behind that construction is a network of suppliers whose work is invisible but indispensable. One of those companies quietly shaping Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) BART Silicon Valley Phase II (BSVII) is BT Metals, a HUBZone, woman-owned metal distribution and fabrication business with years of experience supporting complex construction projects. The company’s ability to consistently deliver in high-stakes environments is closely tied to the leadership principles that have guided it for generations.
Leadership has played a central role in maintaining the company’s reputation. Founders J. Chris Lovfald and Darrel Cunningham established a management structure focused on accountability, long-term partnerships, and operational reliability—principles that were embedded early and continue to guide the company’s operations today. That legacy continues under the leadership of Lee Cunningham, who has expanded the company’s reach while maintaining its customer-first philosophy.
Supplying the Foundations for BSVII
BT Metals provides steel plates, sheet metal, rods, and other structural components that form the framework supporting major infrastructure. For the BSVII project, the company has supplied embedded plates for Malcolm Drilling, steel piles for foundation work, and excavation steel for Kiewit Shea Traylor (KST). These components are critical during early construction phases long before platforms, tracks, or station entrances become visible. Embed plates anchor concrete structures, foundation piles stabilize deep underground work, and excavation steel supports tunnel construction that will eventually carry trains beneath downtown San Jose.
BT Metals helps ensure contractors working on deep foundations and underground structures have precisely fabricated steel components delivered on time to keep construction moving safely and efficiently. That behind-the-scenes role is central to how the company views its impact, ensuring client success and profitability.
“Projects like BSVII show how companies like BT Metals, alongside partners like VTA and KST, are not just building transit—they’re building the backbone of our country while creating real opportunities for small businesses to grow and compete at the highest level,” said Lee Cunningham.
The company’s history stretches back to the post–World War II industrial boom through Bay Tank and Boiler Works, a major West Coast fabricator that supported shipbuilding, petroleum storage, and heavy industry during a period of rapid industrial expansion. Over time, that foundation evolved into BT Metals—a modern supplier serving sectors that include heavy construction, transportation infrastructure, marine fabrication, utilities, and energy.
A Legacy of Expertise and Expanding Opportunity
Today, BT Metals operates as both a metals distributor and fabrication partner, helping contractors source and process materials that meet strict engineering and safety standards. The company provides services such as precision cutting, custom fabrication, structural-grade steel sourcing, and rapid delivery logistics, capabilities that are particularly valuable on large infrastructure projects.
Operating in industries historically dominated by men, BT Metals stands out not only for what it supplies but for who is leading it. Certified as a HUBZone Business, Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) the company reflects the growing presence of women in fabrication, engineering, and construction while also demonstrating a strong commitment to economic development in historically underutilized business zones. BT Metals is one of the only HUBZone material suppliers in the nation assisting the Departments of Defense/War, Transportation and Energy. These certifications allow BT Metals to participate in supplier diversity initiatives tied to major public transportation projects like BSVII—one of the largest infrastructure projects currently underway in the United States. The most important element is that it allows SBEs to partner with companies like KST to grow the economy from the ground up.
For Cunningham, that visibility also carries a personal responsibility. “As a woman in this industry, I take seriously the responsibility to open doors for the next generation,” Cunningham added. “We’re committed to helping women see a future for themselves in construction and manufacturing, and to leveling the playing field so talent—not gender—defines opportunity.”
The company’s work on BSVII highlights how specialized suppliers contribute to projects that transform entire regions. The extension will add six miles of new rail service, including four stations in downtown San Jose and Santa Clara, expanding access to the Bay Area’s regional transit network.
For BT Metals, participation in projects like this represents more than a business opportunity—it also reflects the value of strong partnerships. “Working with KST has created new opportunities for BT Metals,” said Cunningham. “Opportunities like this allow us to demonstrate our capabilities on some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the country, while also helping us grow as a business and build long-term relationships within the industry. Thank you KST and VTA for your strong commitment to the SBE community, it is commitment such as yours that ensures the economic growth of America.”
For BT Metals, participation in projects like this ultimately reflects a long-standing role in helping build the framework of critical infrastructure. Steel fabricated and supplied today will remain embedded within foundations, tunnels, and stations for generations.
When the extension is complete, riders may see only trains, tracks, and stations. But beneath the surface, companies like BT Metals provide the materials and expertise that make systems like BSVII possible, continuing a legacy of industrial expertise that has supported infrastructure projects for more than half a century.