GRS-UNALAKLEET Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop - JUNEAU

GRS-UNALAKLEET Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop-JUNEAU

Please join us for our Summer Mentor-Protégé Workshop hosted by Global Resources Solutions, Inc. (GRS) and Unalakleet Investments, LLC on behalf of Air Force Office of Small Business Programs, in collaboration with the National 8(a) Association.

June 17, 2024 from 7:30am-3:00pm (JUNEAU) at the Centennial Hall Convention Center-Sheffield Ballroom #2, 101 Egan Drive Juneau, AK 99801

Registration is open to all Current DoD mentors, protégés and potential Mentor-Protégé Participants (Small Business and Large Business), and invited Government Representatives.

Please complete the registration form as you would like it to appear on your name badge.

There are a limited number of seats, so please REGISTER as early as you can.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis!

The IN-PERSON workshop will be Monday, June 17th 2024 from 7:30 AM to 3:00 PM (Juneau Time), with the first speaker going on at 9:00am.

The event will take place at the: Centennial Hall Convention Center - Sheffield Ballroom #2, 101 Egan Drive Juneau, AK 99801

ROOM BLOCK: Baranof by BW Downtown Juneau, AK

We have allocated a room block for the event: Hotel offering special group rate: Baranof by BW Downtown Juneau, AK for US $274 per night.

Hotel offering special group rate: Baranof by BW Downtown Juneau, AK for US $274 per night for 10 rooms.

Here is your booking link:

https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel-rooms.02019.html?groupId=2P9GW1H3

Westmark Baranol Hotel, BW Signature Collection | Hotel RoomsBook your stay at the Westmark Baranol Hotel, BW Signature Collection in Juneau AK. Enjoy spacious guest rooms, free Wi-Fi and free breakfast.www.bestwestern.com

The following possible fees and for other payments as authorized:

1. Cancellations: must be requested by 3:00 PM, Alaska Time, 72-hours prior to the hotel reservation date of arrival, to avoid a penalty charge of the first night room rate and taxes per room.

2. No-Show Policy: No-Shows apply to any or all guests who have a reservation, who do not appear on the reservation date of arrival, and who do not provide a proper cancellation notification. No-Shows will be charged a penalty equivalent to the first night room rate and taxes, per room.

Please contact: mpp@grsco.com for any questions.

The Agency: The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. The Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. The Air Force Office of Small Business Programs (SAF/SB) actively supports the various small business programs that assist in meeting the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win... in air, space and cyberspace.

The Hosts:

Global Resource Solutions, Inc. (GRS) is at the forefront of providing operational, strategic, and technical support and solutions throughout the Federal government. GRS maintains deep domain knowledge and strong past performance in the areas of Intelligence Analysis and Operations, Cybersecurity, Security Solutions, Information Technology, and Strategic Consulting. GRS is an Active Mentor in the DoD Mentor-Protégé Program.

Unalakleet Investments, LLC is an Alaskan Native SBA-certified 8(a) Business, has a strong track record in providing a spectrum of capabilities for the Federal Government. Under the parent company that has over 25 years of experience in federal contracting, their team offers cutting-edge and result-driven professional services. They possess the necessary skills and expertise to deliver construction, IT, security guard services, and logistic services across all scopes, including managing IDIQ and sole-sourced design build projects. The company excels in developing customized solutions for clients by forming successful partnerships with a wide range of extensive capabilities. Their commitment to excellence is evident in their application of industry best practices and knowledge experience in various areas, including Enterprise Architecture, Business Transformation, Security Guard Services, Supply Chain Management, Construction, Program Management, and IT Solutions and Services for both Federal and Commercial clients.

National 8(a) Association is a non-profit whose mission is to provide education and guidance for all aspiring, current and graduate 8(a) businesses. We are also proud to work with HUBZone, SDVOB, SDB, WOSB, DBE, 8(a) Joint Venture, Federal Agencies, Prime Contractors, Industry Professionals, and Business Vendors.

The Program:

The Mentor-Protégé Program was established under Public Law 101-510, Section 831, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 1991.

The program has three goals:

1. Provide incentives to major contractors, performing under at least one active approved subcontracting plan negotiated with Department of Defense or other federal agency, to assist NHOs, SDBs, Hubzone, SDVOSBs, and qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled and women-owned small businesses in enhancing their capabilities to satisfy DoD and other contract and subcontract requirements.
2. Increase the participation of NHOs, SDBs, HUBZone, SDVOSBs, WOSBs and other qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled as subcontractors and suppliers under DoD, federal agency and commercial contracts.
3. Foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between NHOs, SDBs, HUBZone, SDVOSBs, WOSBs and other qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled and such contractors.

Since 1991, DoD MPP has offered substantial assistance to small, disadvantaged businesses. Helping them to expand the overall base of their marketplace participation has produced more jobs and increased national income. The DoD MPP assists small businesses (protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with typically large companies (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements.

For more information please visit the Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program Website:http://www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sb/programs/mpp/

Thank you for registering for the workshop. Please keep your tickets handy, either in the Eventbrite app or print them out and bring them with you.

SPEAKERS

Mr. David Sikora - United States Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program

Mr. David Sikora is the Acquisition Program Manager for the Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program. The mission of the Air Force Mentor Protégé program is to develop small businesses through technology transfer that results in small business sources of supply and services for Air Force prime contracts and subcontracts.

Mr. Sikora previously served as the Air Force Small Business Innovative Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) and Technology Transfer Program Manager and Mr. Sikora has a wealth of experience leveraging industry, academia, and private sector research. Before entering government service, He worked as a design/project engineer in the paper machine and environmental equipment industries.

Mr. Sikora received his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton and his M.B.A. from Wright State University.

Mr. Conrad Celestial - President, Unalakleet Investments, LLC

Conrad Celestial Jr. has been president and chief executive officer of Unalakleet Investments LLC, based in Chambersburg, since 2017. With the company serving the federal government, he draws from his experience in both the military, having served in the U.S. Army, and in defense contracting. Before joining Unalakleet, he was director of operations and contracts for DDC-ITS and director of contracts and procurement for NOVA Corporation, both subsidiaries of Dine Development Corp. Celestial earned a bachelor’s degree in business and finance from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, Md., and did further study at Frederick Community College and Hood College in Maryland, as well as obtaining several certifications in his field.

Mrs. Michelle Rubie-Smith - President & Chief Financial Officer, Global Resource Solutions, Inc.

Michelle Rubie-Smith is a natural leader with a demonstrated capability to build and motivate teams of professionals. She brings a deep well of experience as a strategic thinker and is skilled at managing ambiguity and adapting to and driving change. Michelle began her career in the public sector, working in personnel security. Since then, she has spent the last 30 years in operations, managing business lines ranging from $20M-$350M. She has held Vice President of Operations positions at large Security Solution providers. She has extensive experience and knowledge in planning, launching, and successfully leading projects and operations that generate competitive advantage. She actively works to deploy new technologies and process improvement tools to achieve business goals. Michelle currently holds a B.A. in International Politics from Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service, an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland, Robert H. Smith School of Business, and has completed the Executive Development Program at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - Program Manager, Mentor-Protégé Program, Global Resource Solutions, Inc.

Shehan Goonewardene is the Program Manager for the GRS Mentor-Protégé Program, with over 14 years of specialized experience in the Department of Defense Mentor-Protégé Program, most recently with the Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) and the Defense Intelligence Agency MPP. In the past he has managed 5 agreements as part of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Mentor-Protégé Program, 8 agreements with the Defense Intelligence Agency and 4 agreements with Air Force. He was also the Program Manager for the Navy Small Business Office and the Project Coordinator for the DoD OSBP Indian Incentive Program. He was the first program manager in the history of DIA to have received two DoD Nunn-Perry Awards in the same year (2015) & a third award in 2019 under the DIA MPP. Shehan holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis on Management and Leadership with 11 years of project development, financial planning and project management experience. Active Top-Secret Clearance managing complex government programs and assignments while providing day-to-day planning and operational oversight of assigned programs. Experience also includes evaluating the operational capabilities and effectiveness of Department of Defense programs and conducted evaluations based on appropriate tasking to assess the reliability, suitability and sustainability of several companies’ abilities to perform projects for government contracts.

Jody King, Assistant Director, APEX Accelerator Alaska

Matthew Fagnani, Board Member, National 8(a) Association

Charles F. Sills, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Procurement Center, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), U.S. Department of Commerce

Charles Sills is a Senior Advisor on the Boards of the Eurasia Center and the Eurasia Business Coalition, focusing on Energy, Environment, and International Security. He aids in developing the Eurasia Center’s Gulf States Program and moderates conferences on international business opportunities. Sills has significant experience in international industrial and infrastructure initiatives, serving on high-profile projects such as the Danube Basin Environmental Restoration Program and the Japan-U.S. Joint Fund for Social & Economic Development. In National Security, he held positions at the Pentagon, the Defense Intelligence Agency, and NATO. He also worked at Martin Marietta Aerospace, managing strategic business plans and export licensing. Currently, Sills is Executive Vice-President at Trillacorpe Construction, a top-ranking Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, and runs FED/Contracting LLC. His education includes an M.A. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and an A.B. from Princeton University. He is involved with several business and renewable energy organizations, supporting partnerships and government procurement programs.