Event Agenda
7:00 am
7:30 am
Doors Open
Breakfast and Networking will be provided by TownePlace Suites Hotel by Marriott
8:45 am
8:45 am - 8:55 am
Welcome and Opening Remarks
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) includes significant investments in infrastructure and technology that will benefit businesses across the country. These investments create opportunities for small business owners to participate in construction, transportation, technology, and many other industries. Hear from government officials and leaders in the field about the exciting opportunities presented by the BIL for small business owners.
Panelists:
LIZBETH RODRIGUEZ, Northeast Regional Director, U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC), LaGuardia Community College
LINDA MELLON, Executive Director, Business Services, LaGuardia Community College
TYRA REDUS, Director (Acting), USDOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), Office of the Secretary of Transportation
9:00 am
9:00 am - 9:40 am
Breaking Ground: Small Business Growth Opportunities in the Northeast
Discover the unique challenges and opportunities facing small businesses in the Northeast, and learn about the latest trends and technologies that can help you unlock your business's full potential. Attendees will gain valuable insights on how to navigate the Northeast's dynamic business landscape, identify growth opportunities, and build sustainable businesses that contribute to the region's economic vitality.
Moderator:
TYRA REDUS, Director (Acting), USDOT OSDBU, Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Panelists:
HONORABLE PETE BUTTIGIEG, Secretary of Transportation, USDOT (Virtual Remarks)
DONALD R. CRAVINS JR, Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), US Department of Commerce (Virtual Remarks)
MARLENE CINTRON, Atlantic Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
MIKE VLACICH, New England Regional Administrator, SBA
ANGELA WASHINGTON, Senior Business Development Program Manager, MBDA, U.S. Department of Commerce
9:45 am
9:45 am - 10:30 am
Navigating Northeast Interstate Projects: A DOT Multi-Modal Panel on the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Join us for an informative panel discussion on how the Department of Transportation's support programs can revolutionize your business. Our expert panelists will share details about specific projects and initiatives planned for the region, along with valuable insights on their timelines and funding opportunities. By attending this session, you'll learn how to grow your business, increase your competitiveness, and make a significant contribution to the economic development of the Northeast.
Moderator:
JEFFREY BOYCE, Albany Branch Manager, SBA Upstate New York District Office
Panelists:
CHRISTOPHER GATCHELL, Director of New York City Metro and Local Programs Management Office, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
CHRISTINE M. SAGER, Management and Program Analyst, Acquisition Policy and Oversight Small Business Program, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
SCOTT PICHON, Equal Opportunity Specialist, Office of Civil Rights, Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
WADE MOREFIELD, Infrastructure Development Program Manager, Office of Port Infrastructure Development, Maritime Administration (MARAD)
MAXIMILLIAN “MAX” DIAH, Chief of Procurement, United States Merchant Marine Academy, MARAD
10:30 am
10:30 am - 10:45 am
BREAK
GOVERNOR DAN MCKEE, State of Rhode Island (Virtual Remarks)
10:45 am
10:45 am - 11:30 am
Interstate Transportation and State DOTs: Collaborating for Infrastructure Success
Collaboration between state DOTs and businesses can lead to successful infrastructure projects that benefit the economy and society as a whole. Learn how the DOTs work with private sector entities to develop projects and obtain funding, and how state DOTs prioritize infrastructure projects and make decisions on which projects to invest in. You will gain insights into the impact of these projects on the economy, including potential new markets and opportunities for growth, and identify ways you can participate in interstate transportation projects.
Moderator:
ROXANNE NEILSON, Director, MBDA Manhattan Center, U.S. Department of Commerce
Panelists:
TRACEY MITCHELL, Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
ANTHONY PETERSON, Executive Director, Crescent Consulting Associates, Inc.
KIMBERLY HARDY, Senior VP, McKissack & McKissack
CARLOS BANNISTER, Senior Deputy Chief Contracting Officer / Chief Contracting Diversity Officer, NYC DOT
11:30 am
11:30 am - 12:15 pm
Fueling Growth: Access to Capital for Infrastructure Transportation Contracts
Are you a small business owner looking to accelerate your growth and win transportation contracts? Our panel of experts will share tips on financing options, funding sources, including government grants, loans, and private investment opportunities, and the key criteria for obtaining them. Learn best practices for managing funds, negotiating contracts, and tracking expenses to ensure successful relationships with lenders and investors.
Moderator:
SAMUEL J. BOYD, JR., Director, Access to Capital Initiative, USDOT OSDBU, Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Panelists:
MARK BRAZIER, Vice President, Managing Director-Contractor Lending, TruFund Financial Services
RYAN WIDENHOUSE, Manager of Lending Services, BOC Capital Corp.
ROBERT H. NELSON, District Director, SBA Massachusetts District Office
HARRISON B. DAVIS, Partner, TZP Group LLC
TAFARA JHAMBA, Chief Operating Officer, Specialized Small Business Investment Company (SBIC)
12:15 pm
Lunch (Grab and Go)
The Northeast SBTRC has secured lunch which is provided by Skanska.
12:30 pm
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm
Lunch and Learn | Panel: Capacity Building for Small Business: Essential Resources and Programs for Success.
Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a veteran business owner, our expert panelists will provide valuable insights on government resources, grants, loans, and other financing options that can help support small businesses. You'll also learn about programs and initiatives that can help with business planning, marketing, and operations, giving you the tools you need to take your business to the next level. -change the focus to small business service partners
Moderator:
STERONICA MATTOCKS, Lead Program Analyst, USDOT OSDBU, Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Panelists:
LIZBETH RODRIGUEZ, Northeast Regional Director, USDOT SBTRC
ROXANNE NEILSON, Director, MBDA Manhattan Center, U.S. Department of Commerce
CATHERINE MARX, District Director, SBA Connecticut District Office
SONYA SMITH, State Director, New York Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
NELSON J. ORTIZ, Director, LaGuardia APEX Accelerator
1:15 pm
1:15 pm - 1:20 pm
Transition Remarks
PETER KONTAKOS, Manager, Regional Assistance Division, USDOT OSDBU, Office of the Secretary of Transportation
1:30 pm
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Connection Marketplace Opens ( CMP ) / Matchmaking
The CMP matchmaking platform features an online community, roundtable sessions, and business matchmaking services to help provide insight and understanding for small business attendees on industry best practices. All the sessions are hosted on this platform, providing a streamlined registration process, ability to connect with profile holders at any time, and ways to build out market research efforts for upcoming acquisitions. Departmental modal representatives, large prime contractors and stakeholders will also be able to utilize this platform to expand their network of potential small business contractors, sub-contractors, and partners for transportation-related procurement opportunities.
Register here: https://dotcmp.com/event/usdotnortheastsbtrc
1:30 pm
1:30 pm - 2:10 pm
From Certification to Contracting: How to Leverage Federal and State Programs (Room 2)
In today's competitive business landscape, small business owners need every advantage they can get to stay ahead of the game. During this session, you will learn how to navigate the world of government contracting, from certification to bidding and beyond. Panelists will discuss various federal and state programs and resources available to small businesses and how to leverage them for growth and expansion.
You'll also learn about procurement programs, set-aside opportunities, and other key strategies to help you succeed in the government contracting space. This session is perfect for small business owners looking to take their business to the next level and gain a competitive edge in the market.
Moderator:
LIZBETH RODRIGUEZ, Northeast Regional Director, USDOT SBTRC
Panelists:
LYNN BAILEY, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program Analyst, USDOT OSDBU
TANISHA BAPTISTE, Business Opportunity Specialist, SBA Connecticut District Office
WINDELL GRAY, Chief Executive Officer, Landon & Rian Enterprises, Inc.
DOREEN BLADES, President and Founder, US Eco Products
From Concept to Completion: Exploring the Future of Transportation with Design-Build (Room 3)
Join industry experts for a discussion on the innovative approach of design-build and its impact on shaping the future of transportation infrastructure. Explore real-world examples and gain valuable insights into the benefits, challenges, and best practices of design-build projects. Learn how this collaborative method streamlines the entire project lifecycle, from initial concept to final completion, fostering efficiency, cost-effectiveness, DBE commitment and enhanced project outcomes. Whether you're a small business owner, industry professional, or transportation enthusiast, this session will inspire you to embrace the future of transportation through the power of design-build.
Moderator:
TRACEY MITCHELL, Interim Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, MTA
Panelists:
SETH KAEUPER, Transportation Group Manager, C&S Engineers, Inc.
CLETUS O. EZENWA, P.E., Chief Executive Officer, Lu Engineers
2:15 pm
2:15 pm - 2:55 pm
Building Strong Partnerships: Prime Contractor Best Practices in Subcontracting and Teaming (Room 4)
Forming partnerships with larger companies or prime contractors can provide small businesses with access to new markets, clients, and resources, as well as opportunities for growth and expansion. Learn about the best practices used by prime contractors in subcontracting and teaming, and how you can apply these practices to your businesses. You will gain insights into the expectations and requirements of prime contractors, learn how to effectively communicate their capabilities and strengths, and understand the benefits and risks of teaming and subcontracting. Attending this session will equip you with the knowledge and skills to identify potential partners more effectively, negotiate partnerships with confidence, and manage partnerships more efficiently.
Moderator:
ANGELA WASHINGTON, Senior Business Development Program Manager, MBDA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Panelists:
EDWARD KAMINTZKY, Senior Estimator, Skanska USA Civil
KIMBERLY HARDY, Senior VP, McKissack & McKissack
SHANEL THOMAS HENRY, Social Economic Inclusion Lead, Northeast/ Project Manager, Jacobs
Strategies to Revenue Growth (Room 2)
To create a high growth company business owners need the mindset, tools, and resources iconic CEOs use every day to take their corporations to the next level. Achieving high growth is a choice. Once the decision is made a new set of skills, focus and discipline are required to deliver and sustain high growth. This session allows business owners to test drive a sample class of the internationally renowned Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program.
During this session, you'll get to identify your most pressing barriers to growth in your business. You'll also come away with practical hands-on action steps, new tools and resources, and a plan to put into motion to effect change immediately in your organization. Come learn if the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Initiative is the next step in your business' development.
Moderator:
PAISLEY DEMBY, Business Services Director, 10,000 Small Businesses Division of Adult and Continuing Education LaGuardia Community College, The City University of New York (CUNY)
4:00 pm