2011 Speakers
Karen Barbour
Founder and President, The Barbour Group
Click HERE to view Karen Barbour’s Biography.
Celester A. Hall, Jr. (Les)
Program Manager of Small Business Financing, Office of Financing Programs, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
As Program Manager of Small Business Financing, Mr. Hall plays an integral role in the management of the State’s financing programs offered to the business community and local governments. His responsibilities include both operations and policy formation, and he is extensively involved in working with prospects, improving DBED’s level of customer service and advocacy for the State’s business climate. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Hall served DBED for the past ten years in a variety of leadership roles which emphasized the efficient delivery of financing resources and services to businesses in the State of Maryland. Before joining DBED, Mr. Hall spent over 12 years in Commercial Banking in management, business development and lending functions.
Carla A. Nelson, Director
Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development, Baltimore, Maryland
Carla A. Nelson, a veteran business leader and successful small business owner, was tapped by Mayor Sheila Dixon (February 2007) to implement her vision for enhanced minority and women participation in Baltimore City, as the new Director of the Mayor’s Office of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development. She continues in her post under the Rawlings-Blake Administration, expanding her work with small and local businesses in Baltimore City.
Ms. Nelson was President and CEO of Visionary Network Consultants, Inc. (VNC, Inc.), for more than a decade. Ms. Nelson possesses extensive experience in business consulting, marketing, public relations and training services for public and private sector clients throughout the Maryland metropolitan area. She is the recipient of the 2006 State of Maryland Top 100 MBEs (Minority Business Enterprise) Honoree.
Carla serves on the boards of the Baltimore Development Corporation, Visit Baltimore, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council, and Economic Development and Training Institute. She also serves on the East Baltimore Development, Inc. Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee, Greater Baltimore Committee Bridging the Gap Advisory Committee, and was the host and co-executive producer of the show Baltimore Business Link on Channel TV25 from 2007 - 2010.
Ms. Nelson’s most recent achievement is the Top 100 Women of Maryland Honorees for 2010, and honored as the 2010 Mentor of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners – Baltimore Regional Chapter.
Ms. Nelson can be reached directly: 410-396-3818(p) 410-528-1671(f) Carla.A.Nelson@BaltimoreCity.gov
2010 Speakers
Bridget Bean
District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Washington Metropolitan Area
Since April 2009, Bridget Bean has served as District Director of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Washington Metropolitan Area District Office, which serves Washington DC and the surrounding Maryland and Virginia counties. Ms. Bean also serves as the Acting Regional Administrator for SBA Region 3, which includes the eight District Offices in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia, West Virginia, and Delaware. A member of the Federal Government’s Senior Executive Service, she has served in a variety of leadership positions in the SBA. Prior to her promotion to District Director, Ms. Bean was Deputy Associate Administrator for all of the agency’s 68 District Offices.
The SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns. Although the agency has grown and evolved in the years since it was established, the bottom line mission remains the same: The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses.
Lt. Governor Anthony Brown
Lieutenant Governor Anthony G. Brown has a distinguished career in public service to his community, the State of Maryland, and our nation.
Lt. Governor Brown has established a full partnership with Governor Martin O’Malley. He was appointed Chair of the Governor’s BRAC Subcabinet by Governor O’Malley and is playing a leading role in the Administration’s efforts on higher education, veterans’ affairs, domestic violence prevention, workforce creation and health care.
Prior to his election as Maryland’s 8th lieutenant governor, Anthony was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, where he served as the Majority Whip. Lt. Governor Brown also served on the Board of Trustees at Prince George’s Community College for four years before joining the House of Delegates.
Anthony attended Harvard College and joined the Army ROTC. Upon graduating with honors in 1984, Anthony was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, serving a tour of duty in Germany as a helicopter pilot with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division.
In 2005, Anthony deployed with the 353rd Civil Affairs Command in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Brown served with distinction in Baghdad, Fallujah, Kirkuk and Basra and continues to serve our country in the United States Army Reserves. In December 2007, Anthony was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the United States Army Reserves and commands the 153rd Legal Support Organization.
Isiah Leggett
Montgomery County Executive
In November 2006, Isiah (Ike) Leggett was elected to a four year term as Montgomery County Executive. Prior to that, Ike served on the County Council from 1986-2002, serving four terms an At-Large member and as Council President three times. As a Council Member he also chaired the Council’s Transportation and Environment Committee and served as a member of the Education Committee. He has been an active member of the community having served on numerous boards and commissions. He was appointed to serve on the Montgomery County Human Relations Commission in 1979 and 1981(now called the Human Rights Commission), chaired the Commission (from 1983-1986) and chaired the Commission’s Hearing Panel on Employment Discrimination from 1982-1986. Ike has received numerous awards and honors during his 21 years of service to the community.
Ike holds four higher education degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Arts, Juris Doctorate and Masters of Laws all with honors. He finished first in his class at Howard University Law School, graduating Magna Cum Laude and held the third highest academic average in the law school’s history. In 1977 he was selected as a White House Fellow, one of a select number of citizens nationwide for his exemplary civic, professional and educational achievement. He served as a Professor of Law at the Howard University Law School from 1975 - 2006. He ran the day-to-day operations of the Law School as its Assistant Dean from 1979 – 1986.
Alexander M. Sanchez, Secretary of Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation
Alexander M. Sanchez joined the O’Malley-Brown Administration in 2009 from United Way of America where he served as Senior Vice President for Community Impact Leadership. In that role, Sanchez established the organization as the largest national partner of the Internal Revenue Service, helping to increase the generation of Earned Income Tax Credit refunds to more than $420,000,000. Sanchez created the Financial Stability Partnership, an economic self-sufficiency initiative for working families, and earned multi-million dollar corporate and foundation support for the Partnership.
Prior to joining the United Way in 2005, Sanchez served as President and CEO of United Neighborhood Centers of America, a national, non-profit umbrella organization whose mission is to strengthen and empower member organizations to foster neighborhood pride, local decision-making and better social conditions and to help individuals and families lift themselves out of desperate social conditions in some of America’s most threatened neighborhoods.
Sanchez also previously served as Executive Director for the Hispanic National Bar Association & Foundation, where he promoted the interests of Hispanic attorneys, judges, law professors and law students throughout the United States. Sanchez is an attorney, earning his BA in Political Science from Boston College, JD from the University of Michigan Law School and Master’s degree in Government Administration from the Fels Institute of Government at The University of Pennsylvania.
Secretary Sanchez is married to his wife Evelyn, has three children, Selena (9), Gisselle (7) and Rey (4) and resides in Baltimore City.
Johnny Yataco
Publisher, Washington Hispanic
Johnny A. Yataco, Publisher of Washington Hispanic, was born and raised in Lima, Perú. From an early age, he was exposed to the publishing world (his mother often used to take him with her to work at a daily newspaper in Lima), according to his parents, Nelly and Guillermo. At the age of 11, Johnny decided to sell ice cream sticks in a beach close to home. “He has always had a natural entrepreneurial spirit,” his mother said. But he was anything but quiet, and at age 13, while at his neighborhood school in San Felipe, Johnny rang the bell for the daily break at 11am (even though the break was at noon) causing the entire school to suspend classes an hour early. (Of course he was expelled for that incident).
After graduating at the age of 18, Johnny attended Foto Interamericana del Peru (of the Eastman Kodak company) where he studied Photography. He worked for several daily newspapers in Peru, before taking a position in the office of communications of the presidency of Peru for 2 years.
In 1989 at the age of 21, Johnny decided to immigrate to the United States, with a bag full of dreams, no money, no English, and no friends. He settled in the Adams Morgan area, the heart of the Hispanic community in Washington DC at that time. He went to look for a job at a local newspaper as a photographer, but the owner told him that as a photographer he was not going to make any money. Then he asked if he had any experience doing sales, to which he replied, “Yes!” The owner immediately put a fat yellow pages book on the table and told him, “Here you have more than two thousand clients, good luck.” Johnny quickly discovered a hidden passion for marketing and sales, and he did extremely well.
In February of 1994 Johnny had the idea to start his own publication. He pitched the idea to a couple of friends, who turned it down. Finally, 3 months later he decided to do it anyway (then everyone backed him about his idea, passion and vision). “I had to admit, the first few years were extremely painful but starting my own business was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life” said Johnny.
Today Washington Hispanic has 28 full time employees, more than 30 freelance support personnel, has been recognized nationally by the National Association of Hispanic Publication (NAHP), and in 1999 ranked #54 as one of the fastest Hispanic growing companies in the United States. Johnny has also been the recipient of a number of awards by different community organizations such as the Ibero American Chamber of Commerce as The Small Business of the Year in 1998 and Businessman of the Year by the Peruvian American Chamber of Commerce in 2008.
He currently serves on several boards including the Capital Area Food Bank and its executive committee and the InterAmerican Press Association. In addition he has serves on non-profit initiatives with the Latino Economic Development Corporation [former board member], the National Association of Hispanic Publications [former board member], and the Montgomery County Commission on Ethnic Affairs, among others.
Panelists
Jorge I. Austrich
Program Director
Office of Business Services, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Mr. Austrich has over 20 years of Economic Development experience, presently serving as Program Director for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development’s (DBED) Office of Business Services; prior to that he held the position of Director of the Office of Small Business and Director of Small and Minority Business Initiatives. Mr. Austrich recently co-chaired the Governor’s Small Business Task Force and is Executive Director of Maryland’s first Governor’s Commission on Small Business. Mr. Austrich was honored as one of the top 100 Hispanics in Business and Technology by Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology Magazine for 2006.
Mr. Austrich sits on the board of the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays and the Montgomery County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Austrich was a founding member of the Baltimore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, serving the last two of his eight years as Secretary of the organization until he stepped down at the end of his term in 2009. Born in Havana, Cuba and a long time resident of Baltimore City Mr. Austrich is a graduate of Towson State University, B.S. (International Finance & Finance) 1983.
William Burwell
Director, Baltimore US Export Assistance Center
Bill Burwell is responsible for the management and operations of the US Export Assistance Center (USEAC) located in Baltimore, MD. The USEAC assists Maryland firms to increase international sales and expand business operations by utilizing the US Department of Commerce US and Foreign Commercial Service network as well as partners such as the Small Business Administration and the Ex-Im Bank.
Prior to joining the U.S. Commercial Service, Bill was Senior Manager of Market Research at the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program at NIST. In this position Bill directed research on international and domestic issues affecting U.S. manufacturing and small business competitiveness.
Additionally, Bill held consulting positions with NASA and DOD and took a break from government service to serve as Vice-President of Business Development at a business-to-business start-up company providing marketing partnerships, brand management and strategic alliance development services.
Bill holds an MBA from Clark University and a BA in Political Science from Drew University.
Roger A. Campos
President & CEO/Founder
Minority Business RoundTable
Mr. Campos serves as the first President & CEO and Founder of the Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT). Incorporated as a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization, MBRT is the first national membership organization for CEOs of the nation’s leading African American, Asian American, Hispanic American, and Native American businesses. Patterned after The Business Roundtable, which represents Fortune 500 companies, MBRT provides a forum for the CEOs of minority-owned businesses to address public policy issues and serves as a unique resource on minority business issues. Membership is by invitation only.
Roger Campos has considerable experience and has a national reputation as a business leader in the small and minority business field, both in the private and government sectors. He has played a pivotal role in making MBRT a principal voice in the public policy arena for minority-owned businesses around the United States gaining international recognition,” said Janice Howroyd, CEO Act-1 Group and Chairman of the Board, MBRT.
Prior to being elected as President & CEO, Mr. Campos served as Executive Director of the MBRT Program at the Joint Center for Political & Economic Studies. Prior thereto, Mr. Campos was Vice President of government relations for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities where he managed Washington, D.C. operations including overseeing the nationally recognized internship program that has educated more than 6,000 interns. Past positions include: CEO and Principal of International Network of Consultants and Associates which provides consulting and counseling services on how to obtain government contracts and capital to CEO’s and business owners; founder and CEO of EKKOR Electronics, an aerospace and electronics manufacturing and technical services firm; Consultant to the Administrator, Small Business Administration where he drafted the U.S. federal governments minority business program; Special Assistant to the Administrator, Community Services Administration; Legal Counsel, U.S. Department of Agriculture; and he served four years in the White House, Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget setting up Presidential Commissions, Councils and federal programs. He serves on the National Advisory Council of the U.S. Small Business Administration and National Small Business Advisory Council of the Department of Energy. He is widely recognized as a national business leader.
Mr. Campos holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the United States International University, California Western School of Law (San Diego, CA) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He has been recognized in Who’s Who in America.
Ken Carkhuff
Small Business Deputy
Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division - Patuxent River
Mr. Ken Carkhuff became the Small Business Deputy for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Patuxent River in the Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Office of Small Business Programs in February 2008. He plans, develops and directs the NAWCAD Small Business Program and serves as the team lead for the Lakehurst, NJ and Orlando, FL sites. He advises the NAWCAD Commander of new developments in public laws and political interests that affect the Command’s Small Business program management.
Prior to joining NAVAIR, Mr. Carkhuff served as the Patuxent River Division Manager and NAVAIR Programs Manager for a service-disabled veteran-owned small business. In this capacity, he managed several programs with a combined total contract value exceeding $25M that provided logistics support services to four ACAT 1 programs.
Mr. Carkhuff is a retired naval officer and former SH-60B helicopter pilot. He is a 2009 graduate of Leadership Southern Maryland. He is also a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Science and the Naval War College with a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
Robert Carpenter
Lender Relations Specialist
United States Small Business Administration
Washington Metropolitan Area District Office
Economic Development / Finance Division
Robert Carpenter joined SBA’s Finance Division in 1993 as a Loan Specialist/Business Development Specialist and in this capacity he works directly with area lenders to increase their participation in, and understanding of, SBA’s guaranty loan programs. Robert assists lenders with training and compliance regarding SBA’s policies and regulations. Robert also educates area business owners on SBA’s programs and services.
Prior to his appointment as Loan Specialist, Robert served within SBA’s 8(a) Business Development program within the Office of Minority Small Business and Capital Ownership Development from 1990 to 1993.
Robert is a graduate from the School of Business Management of the University of Maryland, with a major in Marketing.
Kenneth E. Clark
Kenneth E. Clark is the President and CEO of the Maryland/District of Columbia Minority Supplier Development Council. In this role he manages one of the 37 councils of the National Minority Supplier Development Council. The Councils are responsible for certifying minority-owned businesses and advocating for procurement opportunities for them with major corporations and other buying organizations. They host training programs, procurement conferences and briefings, and networking events. The Annual Business Procurement Conference is a flagship event which features a trade fair and business matchmaker.
Mr. Clark retired in 2003 as the Vice President of External Affairs for Verizon Washington, DC after a career in engineering, operations, international project management and public affairs. He is a Past Chair of the MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council Board of Directors and the Founding Chair of the Steering Committee of the National Capital Minority Business Opportunity Committee among several other leadership positions in area organizations.
Mr. Clark is a graduate of Morgan State University with a degree in Physics.
Sherry Cohen
Sherry Cohen is a Senior Small Business Specialist in the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. She is an advocate for small businesses in USDA and monitors the Department’s progress in meeting its small business goals.
Ms. Cohen assists small, small disadvantaged and women-owned firms in gaining access to USDA’s procurement network. As USDA’s Woman-Owned Business Advocate, she monitors outreach activities to increase women business participation in the Department. She works closely with the Department’s Small Business Liaisons in each of USDA’s buying agencies, and conducts training programs to assure they are aware of their small and woman-owned business responsibilities.
Ms. Cohen also specializes in working with companies who can supply food items to fulfill the needs of the Department’s commodity programs. In addition, she monitors the Department’s Subcontracting Program and provides guidance to agency Small Business Liaisons on subcontracting reporting requirements.
Ms. Cohen has also worked as an advocate for identifying and promoting opportunities for Native Americans. Prior to her current work with small businesses, Ms. Cohen was a member of the USDA Indian Desk. In that role, she reviewed and made recommendations to improve the delivery of the Department’s assistance programs to the Native American community.
Before working at the Department of Agriculture, Ms. Cohen worked for the Internal Revenue Service and conducted financial background checks. Ms. Cohen holds a B. S. from the University of Maryland.
Veronica A. Cool
Vice President, Maryland Business Banking Leader
Mrs. Cool has over 15 years experience in business banking, financial analysis and sales management. She was a sales manager overseeing the metropolitan Baltimore market prior to joining Wachovia as a Vice President in Business Banking, responsible for marketing the full array of Wachovia Bank’s products and services to Maryland businesses with annual sales greater than $5 million.
Mrs. Cool has held several increasingly senior relationship managing positions in both direct sales and management. She has coordinated various financing arrangements for local businesses across a wide variety of industry sectors. In 2007 and 2006, Veronica was the #1 banker in the country for the entire corporation, #2 in 2008; 2009, Veronica was promoted twice to manage the team of Relationship Managers while maintaining her own clientele. She attributes her success to her education, the support of her parents and husband and innate Latina drive to succeed.
Just announced August 2010, Veronica was named of one of MD VIP Under 40 Winner by the Daily Record. In June 2010, she was recognized for the 2nd time as MD Top 100 Women by the Daily Record. And in 2009, the SBA recognized Veronica as the Financial Services Champion of the State. Dialogue for Diversity named Veronica a Woman of Accomplishment in 2009.
Mrs. Cool was recently recognized as a Hispanic Hero by the United States Youth Entrepreneur Education Organization, and one of Maryland’s Most Influential People by Channel Magazine. She recently served on Governor O’Malley’s Gubernatorial Transition Steering Team. She was the 2007 Chairwoman for the 6th annual MD Hispanic Business Conference, the largest Hispanic Business event in the state.
She has spoken nationally in various seminars, conferences and panels addressing topics such as Minority/WBE and entrepreneurship, Women in Business and Leadership, Commercial Lending and Financial Analysis. Additionally, she has published several articles on similar topics.
She is a graduate of Kutztown University with a BS in Business Administration, and also holds a Masters of Science in Finance degree from Loyola College of MD. A native of Dominican Republic, she currently serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, MD Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Women Business Owners, Advisory Board of the MD Small Business Resource Center Network and MD Hispanic Business Conference Foundation. She is married with two children and lives northwest of Baltimore, MD.
Nicole Michelle Copeland
Director Of Operations, TAC Companies
As the Director of Operations at the TAC Companies, Nicole Michelle Copeland brings over a dozen years experience designing and executing process improvement systems, marketing and business development and conducting budget and financial analysis as well as public policy analysis.
Nicole works extensively with the M/DBE (Minority/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) programs for the TAC Companies clients such as the State of Maryland’s Intercounty Connector Project. Nicole serves as the conduit between clients and M/DBEs, community stakeholders and other non-certified minority and small business opportunities to increase the awareness of contract opportunities. She designs and executes outreach programs to promote opportunities within the business and local communities. As part of her outreach, she maintains a comprehensive database tracking and profiling existing and potential M/DBE firms. Most notably, Nicole has designed a comprehensive technical assistance and referral program to support the business development needs of M/DBES and to ensure M/DBEs’ success working on client projects.
Prior to joining the TAC Companies, Nicole has served in management and research capacities for organizations including the National War College, Lockheed Martin, IMS and the Washington, D.C. Office of Local Business Development. As a specialist in small business development, Nicole managed the certification unit in Washington’s Office of Local Business Development to ensure the timely and accurate processing of the LSDBE application packages. During her tenure, she created and implemented strategic plans to attract new businesses into the LSDBE program.
In addition, Nicole has considerable experience in research and analysis, having conducted market and subject matter research on various topics and industry trends for clients such as ACS State & Local Government Solutions (formerly Lockheed Martin IMS). Her research while at the National Defense University at the National War College also led to publications and presentations.
Nicole holds a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Howard University and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science from James Madison University. In addition, she is an active member of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, Conference of Minority Public Administrators, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and the National Capital Coalition to Prevent Under-aged Drinking.
Frederick W. Crispen (Fred)
Fred Crispen, Executive Vice President of Borrego Springs Bank, N.A. holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Auburn University (1970). Fred has over 30 years of institutional as well as non-bank lending experience in conventional and government programs. Since 1988 he has concentrated his efforts in SBA lending operations on a national basis. Currently he is responsible for the Borrego Springs Bank, N.A. Borrego Express Capital Loan program, nationally, which provides working capital for small businesses. He also serves as Chairman of the Region IV Liaison Committee and has served on the Technical Issues Committee for the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL). Fred has served on the Advisory Council for the North Florida District Office of SBA since its inception and is currently a trustee for the Florida Black Chamber of Commerce.
Fred is an avid college football fan, and a proud husband, father, and grandfather.
Theresa Alfaro Daytner
CEO/President
Daytner Construction Group
Theresa Alfaro Daytner, CEO of Daytner Construction Group, has an entrepreneurial passion. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of Maryland in 1989; started and operated her first business, a residential roofing company, from 1988-1990;and started and operated her second business, a CPA practice, from 1990-2001.
In January 2003, Ms. Daytner launched The Daytner Corporation, now doing business as Daytner Construction Group (DCG). DCG is a Construction Management and General Contracting company that has managed commercial construction projects ranging from $13K to $86M in scope.
Ms. Daytner and her husband, Allen, have 6 children and live in Mt. Airy, Maryland. She is a lifelong learner and alumni of GOT 2009 & 2010 (The Gathering of Titans @ MIT), several Tuck Minority Executive Education Programs at Dartmouth and a proud member of the Make Mine A Million $ Business Community of Women Entrepreneurs. She is the Past President of NAWBO-DC chapter and Past President of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, as well as an active member of WIPP (Women Impacting Public Policy), SAME (Society of American Military Engineers), and EO-DC
(Entrepreneur’s Organization). She loves to travel, read, learn, explore, ride her bike and spend time having fun with her family.
Gil Del Valle
Gil Del Valle currently serves as a Sr. Procurement Analyst/ Small Business Specialist for the Small Business Office located at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in Greenbelt Maryland. This office provides a variety of support to the small business community in obtaining contracts opportunities with NASA/GSFC. As the Team Lead Mr. Del Valle, develops Junior Procurement Analyst in small business practices, in making determinations on all major acquisitions in the areas of small business regulations, 8(a) Business Development/Small Disadvantaged Business to determine business status determinations for NASA Headquarters, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Gil has worked for the National Aeronautic and Space Administration for the past 25 years. He served on some of NASA’s largest and most important programs including the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station.He began his career as a Contract Specialist in December, 1985. He has also worked as a Financial Analyst for the Space Sciences Directorate and Flight Project Directorate. In addition he is a member of the Hispanic Action Committee for Employees (HACE) which is one of several employee advisory groups to the Equal Opportunity Programs. Mr. Del Valle holds a Master Degree in Business Administration from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and is a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico
Sam Evans
Director of Small Business and Non Production Procurement
Lockheed Martin
Sam Evans is the Director of Small Business and Non Production Procurement at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company. He is responsible for ensuring the Company’s compliance with Corporate and DOD Small Business goals and objectives. He is also responsible for the acquisition of commodities required to support Company-wide business operations.
Sam is a retired Air Force Colonel with extensive experience in the management of major defense acquisition programs. He is a member of t he Boards of Directors of the Dallas-Ft Worth Minority Business Council and the Ft Worth Business Assistance Center. He was one of 12 Dallas-Ft Worth Metroplex area leaders to receive the 2008 MCompany Award for exhibiting “a clear personal commitment to diversity in the Dallas Metroplex and serve as diversity role models for all in their organization.”
Sam holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration from Miles College and a Masters of Arts degree in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University. Military awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Metal (1OLC), Air Force Meritorious Service Metal (5OLC), Air Force Commendation Metal and the Air War College Commandant’s Award.
Diane L. George
Diane L. George grew up in a small town in Western Pennsylvania that she still secretly calls “home.” She graduated from Houghton College, New York in 1996 with a double major of Communication and Psychology and big dreams of a job in radio. After a brief stint as a radio personality at a popular radio station in Pennsylvania, Diane accepted a job in Maryland as Assistant Collection Manager at a large firm specializing in debt collections; she spent five years working with collectors and training new staff. Diane liked training so much that she left the field of collections to become a “traveling trainer” for Sprint PCS. After several years of traveling the country, Diane took a job with Montgomery County Public Schools in the Division of Procurement as a Buyer in 2001 where she purchased everything from custodial supplies to computers (including toys!), and facilitated the implementation of an Oracle financial system. She found that she liked purchasing even more than training and received her CPPB in 2003. In 2008, Diane became the Assistant Purchasing Administrator for Howard County, Maryland, where she assisted in the implementation of an SAP financial system and focuses on IT related purchases. Diane is currently acting as the Equal Business Opportunity Coordinator for Howard County.
Judyth K. Gilbert
Outreach Coordinator for Minority & Women-Owned Businesses
Overseas Private Investment Corporation
Ms. Judyth Gilbert serves as the Outreach Coordinator for Minority & Women-Owned Businesses for the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), which includes organizing the successful OPIC workshop series, “Expanding Horizons: A Workshop About Investing Overseas for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses.” Additionally, Ms. Gilbert is the External Affairs and Protocol Officer. In this capacity, she plans, executes, and organizes public diplomacy and outreach initiatives for OPIC, including the agency’s international investment conferences.
Ms. Gilbert brings her extensive background in economic development, marketing, and government affairs to her position at OPIC. She previously served as Economic Development Coordinator for Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa; the Tourism and Film Office Manager for the Iowa Department of Economic Development; and has served in various other capacities in banking and commerce.
Ms. Gilbert holds a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. She was also a Truman Scholar Finalist and completed programs with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - Institute for Organization Management and the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business Executive Education Certificate Program in International Business Management. Ms. Gilbert is also a member of Dialogue on Diversity’s National Advisory Committee.
Mike Hayes
Director, Maryland Military & Federal Affairs
Department of Business & Economic Development
Brigadier General Mike Hayes USMC (Ret.), a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, completed 33 years of commissioned service in the Marine Corps in April 1999. Since August 1999, he has been serving as the first Managing Director of the Office of Military and Federal Affairs for the State of Maryland. He is responsible for helping ensure federal facility vitality and improving access by Maryland businesses for technology commercialization and partnering. He and his staff work with community, academic and elected officials in the development of regional growth programs as well as in the transition of closed federal facilities. Through time, an anticipated 40,000 to 60,000 new jobs are anticipated.
During his Marine Corps career, BGen Hayes, an artillery officer, commanded three organizations during two tours in Vietnam. He also commanded Marine units in Quantico, Virginia; Parris Island, South Carolina; Okinawa, Japan; Camp Pendleton, California; and Panama. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Storm, served as the Chief of Staff of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, and as coordinator of both the Marine Corps Force Structure Development and Roles and Missions offices. As a General Officer he commanded Marine Corps facilities in Okinawa and served as the Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Facilities & Services, Headquarters Marine Corps.
BGen Hayes’ military decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars with Combat “V”, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, four Presidential Unit Citations, two Navy Unit Commendations and the Meritorious Unit Commendation.
In July 2007 BGen Hayes was named one of two national Public Officials of the Year by the Association of Defense Communities.
BGen Hayes has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin and is a graduate of both the Navy and National War Colleges. He is married to the former Barbara Paterson of Milwaukee. They have two adult children and two grandsons.
Joanne R. Jackson
Anne Arundel County Office of Central Svcs
Minority/Small Business Enterprise Coordinator
Ms Jackson is the Minority/Small Business Enterprise Coordinator for the Anne Arundel County Office of Central Services. She is a graduate of Howard University with a degree in Business Administration; and the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public & International Affairs with a degree in Urban/Regional Planning. Her background includes experience in accounting, budgeting & finance with a number of CPA firms in Washington, DC. She has held various planning positions with the City of Albany (NY) Urban Renewal Agency; the New York State Dept. of Housing & Community Renewal; and the Arlington County (Va) Dept. of Community Planning, Housing & Development. As an economic development consultant with the MATCH Institute, Joanne provided technical assistance to local government officials in Lower Merion Township, PA; New Castle County, DE; Monroe County, Hempstead & Mt. Vernon, NY; Clarksville, TN; and Kansas City, MO.
She is a founding member/Board of Directors for Christmas-In-April*AACo, Inc/Rebuilding Together helping to organizing hundreds of volunteers and raising over $300,000 to repair over 500 homes for low income seniors & disabled homeowners. She also served on the Board of Directors for Arundel Habitat for Humanity.
Ms. Jackson hosts a local cable television program entitled the Minority Business Report which is designed to provide information and resources to help small business grow and prosper. She also develops effective public/private partnerships between industry leaders and the small/minority business community in banking & finance, construction, retail and healthcare. Over the past 20+ years, Joanne has been instrumental in raising the awareness of the need for diversity in government purchasing by increasing utilization of minority & women-owned businesses from $1.6M in 1987 to a high of $30M in 2008.
She is a recipient of a number of awards from Md Women for Responsive Government, the Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Awards Committee and the Black Chamber of Commerce of Anne Arundel County.
Tony Jimenez
President and CEO, MicroTech
Tony Jimenez is the President & CEO of MicroTech — America’s No. 1 Fastest-Growing Hispanic-Owned Business for an unprecedented second straight year. A trailblazer in Government Technology, Tony Jimenez was named to “Federal 100” (for the second time) — as an individual who significantly influences how the government uses IT.
Organizations like Deloitte, Ernst & Young, Hispanic Committee of Virginia, U.S. Small Business Administration, Virginia Hispanic Chamber, Washington Technology, and U.S. Hispanic Chamber have all recognized his success. He has been profiled in publications like Business Week, Inc., American Legion, Veterans Business Journal, Washington Business Journal, Hispanic Business, and CRN.
Tony is the National Chairman of Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association, an advocacy group promoting Latino technological and scientific engagement.
Towanda R. Livingston
In November 2006, Towanda R. Livingston joined the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission’s (WSSC) Senior Executive Leadership Team as the Director of the Small, Local and Minority Business Enterprise (SLMBE) Office. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms. Livingston was the Supplier Diversity Coordinator for Exelon/PECO Energy. She was with Exelon/PECO Energy approximately 11 years, and served in various capacities during her tenure. Ms. Livingston has more then 15 years of experience in the Utility Industry. She has played an integral role in shaping and leading efforts addressing issues of strategy, organizational development, operations and the community. Working extensively on issues related to fair and equal access to competitive contracting, Ms. Livingston has also advised and supported small, minority, and women-owned businesses on competitive positioning, developing business plans and start-up opportunities.
Ms Livingston has received numerous awards over her illustrious career. Most recently, Ms. Livingston was awarded the 2010 Minority Business Pioneer Award from the Women Business Owners (WBO) of Prince George’s County. In 2009 she was named Woman of the Year by American Biographical Institute USA; recipient of the 2002 Cherry E. Cooper award for Outstanding Dedication and Customer Service; as well as Outstanding Commitment to Diversity. Ms. Livingston was also awarded Woman of Distinction in 2006. She holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA), specializing in the Science of Management and Leadership from Rosemont College in Rosemont, Pennsylvania; and obtained a Bachelor of Arts and Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Livingston has dedicated her career to continuous learning therefore she possesses a host of professional development certifications in leadership and organizational development.
In her short three (3) year tenure at the Commission, under Ms. Livingston’s leadership the Commission continues to exceed the SLMBE Program goals and objectives consistently achieving 25% contract expenditures to small, local and minority business enterprise firms. She is instrumental in transforming the SLMBE Program into an integrated process which is vastly becoming “just the way the Commission does business.” Ms. Livingston provides career coaching and mentoring to both high school and collegiate entrepreneurs. In addition, she lends her expertise to non-profit programs that are dedicated to moving impoverished women and children from their temporary state of poverty to the permanent state of entrepreneurial success. Ms. Livingston is married to Bryan Livingston; both are natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Tizoc S. Loza
Corporate Program Manager Mentor-Protege SIBR & HBCU/MIs Programs SEBP / Government Relations
Northrop Grumman
Tizoc S. Loza is the Corporate Program Manager for the Mentor-Protégé, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), and Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MIs) Programs. He reports to the Corporate Director, Socio-Economic Business Programs/Government Relations at Northrop Grumman Corporation. Mr. Loza has corporate oversight responsibility for all Mentor-Protégé, SBIR, and HBCU/MI programs, including the review and oversight of new Mentor-Protégé programs, corporate strategy development, and training. Mr. Loza also serves as Northrop Grumman’s Mentor-Protégé, SBIR, and HBCU/MI customer liaison that insures consistent and efficient program management enterprise-wide. In addition, he develops and implements strategies to increase Northrop Grumman’s involvement of SBIR’s, HBCU/MI’s in the Mentor-Protégé program and other subcontracting opportunities.
Mr. Loza earned his Bachelors Degree in Financial Management and International Business from California State University at Long Beach. In addition, he received the Government Contract Management Certification from University of California at Los Angeles, is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt, and is currently enrolled in a MBA program with emphasis in Supply Chain.
Ricardo Martinez, President/CEO
Project Enhancement Corporation
Ricardo (Rick) Martinez is the founder of Project Enhancement Corporation (PEC), a small business offering technical services related to safety and health and environmental management, remediation and protection. PEC has been listed three times (including in 2009) in Hispanic Business Magazine, as one of nation’s 100 fastest growing Hispanic owned companies. PEC has also been named in that publication’s list of the top 500 largest Hispanic owned companies for the past 8 years. In 2010, PEC reached a milestone of having provided over $100 million in technical services to the federal government over its 12 year history. Today it is an $18 million dollar company with close to 100 employees with over a dozen federal prime contracts. Its clients include the Department of Energy, NASA, and OSHA. Mr. Martinez, holds a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Tech He is the Immediate Past Chair of the Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Vice Chair of the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs, member of the Governor’s Commission on Economic Development, and Vice President/Treasurer of Centro de la Comunidad.
Dawn R. Medley
Dawn R. Medley is the Director of Business Lending Programs at the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development. Business Lending Programs include Neighborhood BusinessWorks (NBW), Maryland Capital Access Program (MCAP) and the Linked Deposit Program. Most recently, legislation was passed creating the new Microenterprise Loan Program as proposed by the Department. These programs serve to stimulate the growth and expansion of small businesses and nonprofits throughout the State of Maryland.
Dawn R. Medley has over 15 years experience in small business lending, commercial real estate lending and asset management. She began her lending career with Fannie Mae and honed her skills with Freddie Mac and National Cooperative Bank and has managed over one billion in commercial real estate.
Rhonda Mencarini
Rhonda Mencarini has a thirty year plus career with PHI which has been personally and professionally rewarding. She has been the Manager, Supplier Diversity for over fifteen years and has a passion and commitment to the advancement of diverse suppliers.
Rhonda has a B.S. in Technology and Management from the University of Maryland University College and a Master’ Certificate in Project Management from the George Washington University School of Business and Public Administration.
The result achieved by PHI Supplier Diversity has garnered many awards and recognition from industry and public sector organizations and publications. Rhonda is recognized locally, regionally and nationally as a subject matter expert in Supplier Diversity. “Supplier Diversity is enlightened self-interest says Rhonda. PHI is committed to growth. When businesses grow, they hire people. People use our products and services and PHI grows!”
Myneca Ojo
Manager-Diversity & Special Interests
Maryland Department of Transportation
Since 2006, Myneca Ojo has been the Diversity Manager at the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). In this position she assists the organization in promoting a diverse and inclusive environment through policy, training, mentoring, community outreach and cultural awareness. Prior to working with SHA, Ms. Ojo was a partner in a political consulting and minority outreach firm. Ms. Ojo has worked as a Program Director for the Minority Business Development Agency’s Texas Minority Business Opportunity Center serving minority businesses in the Austin and Central Texas region; and as the Program Director for the Texas Conference of Black Mayors.
Currently, she is a community volunteer and is an active member of the Society of Human Resource Management, American Political Science Association, Society of Intercultural Education Training and Research; and the Director of Diversity for the Chesapeake Human Resources Association. Ms. Ojo holds degrees in Government and Political Science from Texas State University. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, she currently resides in Baltimore, Maryland.
Damon Penn
Damon Penn is a VP in the Business Banking department at Capital One Bank. He is a graduate of Howard University and has worked in the financial industry for over 20 years. Over his professional career, Damon has held several leadership positions with several professional organizations, including The Development Corporation of Columbia Heights, Redlands Centennial Bank and PNC Bank. He has also served as a Small Business Consultant with the University of Maryland Small Business Development Center for five (5) years, as well as served as Vice Chairperson for the Greater Washington Boys & Girls Clubs and President of the African American Black Chamber of Commerce.
Carmina Perez-Fowler
Carmina Perez-Fowler was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and came to the United States to attend college at University of Notre Dame, Indiana. After graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Ms. Perez-Fowler obtained a juris doctor degree at New York University School of Law. Thereafter, she moved to Baltimore to become a judicial clerk for Herbert F. Murray, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. After her clerkship, Ms. Perez-Fowler practiced litigation and corporate law as an associate at a large Baltimore firm, Whiteford, Taylor and Preston, LLP. She then joined the legal department at The Johns Hopkins Health System Corporation as Associate Counsel for Real Estate and Business Matters and thereafter became the Project Executive for Business and Administrative Practices for The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Facilities, Design and Construction Department. In 2007, Ms. Perez-Fowler was appointed Chief Procurement Officer and Director of Procurement for the Maryland Department of Transportation, a position that she currently holds.
Ms. Perez-Fowler served as the President of the Maryland Hispanic Bar Association (1999-2000) and has participated in numerous boards and commissions, such as the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs and the Community Affairs Committee for the National Aquarium in Baltimore. She also holds an M.B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University.
Charlie Ramos
Founder
CR Dynamics & Associates
Mr. Ramos founded CR Dynamics & Associates, Inc., a marketing and sales support outsource firm in 1994. Originally started as a home based business the firm received numerous industry awards such as “Rising Star” and “MVP Quality Award” and grew to a two million dollar a year business within six years. CR Dynamics has been recognized as an INC.5000 firm. Notable clients have included AT&T, G.E. Information Services, Frito Lay, American Express, Tropicana, EDS, The State of Maryland Department of Economic Development - Office of Tourism Development, The Maryland Public Service Commission, Six Flags America, The U.S. Social Security Administration, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
Most Recently CR Dynamics has been awarded a five year two and a half million dollar state wide call center contract from the State of Maryland.
Today CR Dynamics & Associates, Inc. is headquartered in Downtown Baltimore’s Financial District in the Inner Harbor occupying over 7,600 square feet of real estate
that houses a “state of the art” 72 seat outsource call center specializing in inbound and outbound CRM (Customer Relations Management).
Maria Randall
Maria Randall is a Regional Account Manager with CIT Small Business Lending, responsible for providing loans to small businesses throughout the Maryland/Virginia/DC region. CIT Small Business Lending, recognized as a leading SBA lender in the U.S. since 2000, has loaned numerous funds to small businesses over the years for start-up, expansion, and commercial real estate. Prior to joining CIT in 2007, Maria spent 20 years in the banking industry, working primarily with small businesses, providing loans and cash management services.
Maria is a graduate of Vassar College, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics & Computer Science. She is a graduate of the Leadership Prince George’s program, a former Chair of the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce Small Business Roundtable, a member of the National Association of Realtors, and former Economics instructor with Junior Achievement.
Maria — a native of New York City, and former resident of Fairfax County– resides in Fort Washington, Maryland with her husband, teenage twins, and dog “Bingo”. She is an avid sports fan, and enjoys traveling, boating, reading and going to the movies.
Judith Rivera
Director of Women & Minority Outreach, Office of Small Business
Export Import Bank of the U.S.
Judith is the Director of Women & Minority Outreach, Office of Small Business. This office is responsible for business development especially working with minority and women-owned firms. She has been with the Bank for 18 years. Before her current position, she held various positions within the Bank. She worked in Short Term Trade Finance as Risk Portfolio Manager for the West Coast in; as a Loan Officer in the Americas Division where she reviewed medium term guarantee applications for obtaining financing support private buyers in Latin America. Over the years, she has assisted and counseled hundreds of small and medium sized businesses and lenders. Prior to joining Ex-Im Bank, she worked for 14 years for the Foreign Credit Insurance Association (FCIA) in New York as a Claims & Recovery Senior Officer. During this time period, FCIA was a government contractor for the Ex-Im Bank and managed the export credit insurance program.
Her interest in International Trade Finance began in Mexico City, Mexico where she earned college credit in Business Administration courses. She continued her college education at New York City’s Marymount University in Business Management and International Relations. She also pursued additional courses in managerial training courses conducted by the N.Y. chapter of the American Management Association. She also pursued additional technical training and earned Banking Certifications in International Lending & in U.S. Lending regulations from the American Institute of Banking (N.Y.C).
Judith currently resides in Maryland with her husband Mike and is a native from New York City.
Anthony Ruiz
Regional Director
Small Business Development Center - Capital Region
Mr. Anthony Ruiz has extensive experience in international and small business management: as a CEO/Turnaround Manager and in international and commercial banking. Mr. Ruiz has managed and executed methods to improve international trade world-wide, including barter-counter trade using the natural resources of LDC’s as currency for purchase of farming and industrial equipment. Since October 2007, Mr. Ruiz has acted as the Regional Director of the Maryland Small Business Development Center-Capital Region. Mr. Ruiz holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations, a JD in International Trade & Business, and a MBA in Finance, Marketing & International Business.
Necola Y. Shaw
Coordinator, Small and Local Business Program
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Ms. Shaw has over 25 years experience in establishing and/or retooling small, minority/disadvantaged and women-owned business enterprises and procurement programs at the federal, state and private sectors. Through these experiences, Ms. Shaw gained the necessary tools and skills needed to become an entrepreneur. She has operated a multi-disciplined business management consulting and research practice providing specialized services to federal, state and local governments, as well as, the small and minority business community. Necola has been approved and deemed a national litigation consultant (expert witness) in matters pertaining to small, minority/disadvantaged and women-owned businesses, contract compliance and affirmative action reforms.
Necola joined the team of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority=s (WMATA), Office of Procurement and Materials in November 2009 transitioning from the Department of Corporate Strategy and Communications, Office of Community Relations-Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Office. She has held several leadership positions at the National, regional and local arenas to include: Deputy Administrator - Prince George=s County, Maryland - Office of Central Services, Minority Business Development Division; Senior Consultant, State of Maryland - Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs; Executive Director, National Capital Minority Business Opportunity Committee; Manager, Special Programs & Certification – Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation; Director, Special Programs - Resolution Trust Corporation; and Acting Director, Office of Minority Business Development - The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK). Through her leadership and commitment, Necola has been able to facilitate the awarding of more than $25 billion to small, minority/disadvantaged and women-owned businesses.
As a recipient of numerous national and local awards/citations, Necola is passionate about having a positive impact on small, minority/disadvantaged and women-owned businesses and excited about assisting these entities in achieving success. She serves on several boards to include: District of Columbia-Conference on Minority Transportation Officials, Y.M.C.A. (National Capital), American Contract Compliance Association, McPherson Square Business Council and the South Carolina Economic Development Corporation. She is also a past Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner.
Necola has studied at the University of the District of Columbia and Trinity College. She holds a Master Compliance Administrator (MCA) accreditation from Morgan State University and a Contracting Officer’s (Level II) accreditation from the U.S. Office of Management & Budget.
Necola resides in the District of Columbia.
Eben Smith
Eben Smith is an accomplished executive with over 15 years of experience of public and private procurement experience. He currently serves as the Contract Compliance Officer for Prince George’s County, MD where he oversees and monitors all of the prime and subcontracting activities for MBE participation and compliance to assure maximum minority business participation. He is a graduate of Morehouse College.
Graylin E. Smith
Managing Partner - SB & Company, LLC
Gray Smith is the Managing Partner of SB & Company, LLC, a certified public accounting and consulting
firm. Prior to forming SB & Company, LLC, Gray spent 22 years at Arthur Andersen where he was a
Partner in its Baltimore office. Gray is active in many aspects of the public accounting industry including
having served on the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Governing Council, as Chair of the
Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants, and his involvement with other civic and professional
organizations.
EDUCATION - Hampton University – B.S. in Accounting
CERTIFICATION - Certified Public Accountant in the State of Maryland, the District of Columbia, and several other
states
Diana V. Strong
Diana currently serves the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as the agency’s Small Business Program Manager. She directs a robust agency-wide program, ensuring that maximum practical prime and subcontract opportunities are made available for small business, including small businesses owned by the disadvantaged, women, veterans, service-disabled veterans, and concerns located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones.
Diana served as a Legislative Fellow during the 109th Congress in support of the U.S. House of Representative Committee on Small Business. She has worked for the Departments of Treasury and Navy, the Small Business Administration and the National Institutes of Health overseeing multi-billion dollar acquisition programs in a small business advocacy role and as a contracting official.
Over the last two decades, she has worked in Federal acquisition and small business programs as a contracting and small business operations official, policy and program analyst, writer, speaker, teacher and Legislative Fellow. Her work experience encompasses all forms of acquisition operations, small business program direction, and management. From conception and design of operational structures and web-based tools and systems through policy and regulatory development to program delivery, she planned and directed programs designed to increase participation of small businesses in Federal contracting. On behalf of Federal agencies, she advised the business community on marketing to the Federal government and other varied business development initiatives. As an expert acquisition and small business speaker and teacher, she addressed and engaged audiences ranging from Federal officials to entrepreneurs, to local community leaders, to Congressional audiences.
Diana earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD and a Master of Science degree in Federal Acquisition and Grants Management from the American University, Washington, D.C.
Ken Taylor
Manager, Montgomery County Office of Business Relations and Compliance
Ken is the Manager of Montgomery County Government’s Office of Business Relations and Compliance (OBRC). The OBRC is directly responsible for developing legislation and policies that aid the growth and success of Small, Minority-, Female- and Disabled Person-Owned Businesses. The OBRC administers the County’s social-economic and business compliance programs including the:
• Minority-, Female- and Disabled Person-Owned Business (MFD)
• Local, Small Business Reserve (LSBRP)
• Living Wage Law
• Prevailing Wage Law programs
• Equal Benefits Law
Ken’s goal is to strengthen competition, business equity and competitive contracting for MBE’s and local businesses. He works directly with the offices of the County Executive, County Council, Department Directors, business owners, associations, Chambers of Commerce and other stakeholders to craft a robust business community that is sustainable, compliant and economically successful.
Tom Thompson
Tom Thompson has over 30 years of practical business experience. After working with 3M Company in marketing, he became Mid-Atlantic Director for Leasco Computer Company. He later founded North American Capital Corp., a computer leasing company.
During the 1980s, Mr. Thompson was President of Maryland Building Services and is presently responsible for the Maryland and DC area for FranNet.
CARLA TUCKER
Minority and Small Business Marketing Manager,
Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance Purchasing Division
Carla earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from York College of Pennsylvania, May 1988. While attending college Carla worked as a summer student employee at Spring Grove Hospital Center as a groundskeeper. The following summer she was a vocational therapist assistant working with the patients before moving on to the State Highway Administration as an Engineering Technician the summer of 1987. Carla began working full-time for the State Highway Administration, Office of Real Estate, in July 1987, as a Clerical Assistant.
Upon completing her degree, she ventured into new endeavors in her tenure, serving Maryland residents in a variety of capacities within Maryland State Government for more than twenty years: State Highway Administration (SHA) - Engineering Technician, Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) - Income Maintenance Specialist, and the Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) - Personal Property Assessor.
Carla joined the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) in February 2000, as an Administrative Officer, to assist in the development and implementation of the five-time award winning eMaryland Marketplace (eMM), the first fully functional Web-based procurement system in the country. Carla oversaw the daily operation and worked closely with the application service provider, BearingPoint to provide assistance in the continuity of operations, development and implementation of the system modifications. Before departing state service, October 2007 Carla held the position of Program Manager for the Technology Unit of DGS Office of Procurement and Logistics and served as the DGS liaison between state, local and municipal governmental agencies. As liaison, she regularly met and trained Procurement Directors, Managers and their staff throughout Maryland on the use and benefits of eMaryland Marketplace. Carla also participated in vendor outreaches hosted by various governmental agencies and organizations across Maryland in an effort to educate the vendor community on the benefits of eMaryland Marketplace.
Carla Tucker continues her public service in a new capacity. October 2007, Carla accepted a position with Baltimore County Government as the Minority and Small Business Marketing Manager for the Purchasing Division of the Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance. In this position, she assists with procurement related training, assists with the MBE/WBE goal setting process in County procurements, organizes/hosts and participates in various procurement outreach events, and has oversight of the content on the Purchasing Division’s website.
Tom Turner
Tom Turner is a Business Development Officer with Chesapeake Business Finance Corporation (CBFC). CBFC is a non-profit Certified Development Company authorized by the Small Business Administration (SBA) to administer the SBA 504 Loan Program. The SBA 504 Loan Program typically involves small business financing for the purchase and build out of commercial real estate and business equipment acquisition. A typical small business loan structure involves 50% Bank, 40% SBA, and 10% borrower/seller participation.
Tom has been active in the administration of the SBA 504 Loan Program for 5 years. He is responsible for new SBA 504 loan procurement and business loan relationship activity with small business owners, developers, commercial realtors, local and state economic development personnel, and banking loan officers. He has processed the SBA 504 loan program in the States of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.
Prior to his involvement with the SBA 504 Loan Program, Tom was a small business owner for over 20 years. Having been a small business owner and consultant, Tom understands the needs of small businesses. He enjoys learning about new businesses and assisting with new projects that will result in company profits. He is passionate about the SBA 504 Program and believes that it is the best program for businesses that want to expand.
Omar Wahab
Omar Wahab serves as a communications consultant in the Office of External Relations at the Inter-American Development Bank. His unit, Stakeholder Relations, ensures that external stakeholders are informed about the IDB’s policies and important developments. As part of the Business Outreach Team, he specifically works to educate the business community on opportunities with the IDB and to facilitate contact between companies and Bank specialists. He previously served as part of the team responsible for relations with civil society and academia. Omar has extensive professional experience in communications and public relations. He received his bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and his master’s degree from Harvard University.
Gina Watkins
Regional Development Director – DC Metro
Constant Contact
Gina Watkins has a passion for helping small business to succeed. Her ongoing series of dynamic lectures are filled with real-world examples, humor and results-driven wisdom garnered from more than two decades of sales, business development and marketing experience. As an award-winning direct marketer, Gina has been featured on WUSA TV Channel 9’s Mind Over Money show, Dr. Gayle Carson’s Women In Business radio show, in numerous articles, interviews and other prominent media outlets. In her role as Constant Contact’s Washington, D.C., Metro Regional Development Director, Gina draws from her own background as a small business owner to help businesses and organizations of all sizes to create powerful lines of communication with their customers, members, constituents and partners. Teaching people how to use low-cost, highly-effective technology tools, such as permission-based email and online surveys, is her specialty. Gina’s educational programs allow her to be an accessible resource for small- and medium-sized businesses and organizations throughout the Washington, D.C., Metro area that seek to maximize the power of relationship marketing.
Shirley A. Williams
Shirley A. Williams is a native of Albany, Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Albany State University, a Master of Arts from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, Illinois and a Law degree from The Ohio State University College of Law. She is a long-term employee with the City of Baltimore where she has held several positions including: Acting/Deputy Comptroller, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works, Chief of the Management Division in the Department of Law, and currently she is the Chief of the Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office.
The latter office is responsible for the administration of Baltimore’s Minority/Women’s Business Enterprise Program. The program has been in existence since 1980, and its provisions were codified into law in 1986. Ms. Williams is responsible for overseeing office operations which include certifying minority and women business enterprises, conducting site investigations, monitoring contract compliance, and conducting various training programs for firms desiring to do business with the City of Baltimore.