TUESDAY, OCT. 24 | 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. MEMORIAL LIBRARY
901 G ST NW
THE DEPARTMENT OF SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PRESENTS
DSLBD.DC.GOV/Districtconnect
RESOURCES FOR PROCUREMENT SUCCESS
DISTRICT
coNNECT
2023
District Connect is DSLBD's annual small business expo for Certified Business Enterprises (CBEs) and local businesses to connect with contracting and capital opportunities. This event will comprise expert panel discussions, workshops, match making and an exhibit hall, all centered around contracting, financing, and personalized matchmaking consultations.
1st Floor
9:30 AM - 2:00 pm
Check-in/ Registration
SCHEDULE
2nd Floor
11:30 am - 3:00 PM
Office of Tax and Revenue & Financial Consultations
4th Floor
11:30 am - 3:00 PM
Match Making
5th Floor
9:30 am - 3:00 PM
Exhibit Hall
10:45 am - 11:15 pm
Opening Session
11:30 am - 3:00 PM
Workshops/ Panels/ Lightning Room
Office of Tax and Revenue & Financial Consultations
Attendees will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with staff from lending partners, community development financial institutions, and The Office of Tax & Revenue to discuss any funding or tax related inquiries.
Featuring
DC Office of tax & Revenue (MUST REGISTER FOR TIME W/ OTR)
First National Bank
TD Bank
M&T Bank
Life Assets
EatsPlace
2nd Floor Sessions
Agencies
Events DC
DC Behavioral Health
DDOT
DCPL
DOEE
Public Service Commission
DISB
DGS
DCPS
DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music Entertainment
OCTO
DOES
DHS
Match Making
Conference Center
Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one discussions and meet face-to-face with decision-makers from government agencies, prime contractors, and financial institutions to build relationships, get access to contracting opportunities and access to capital. No walk-in or onsite registration allowed.
4th Floor Sessions
Partners
WMATA
MWAA
DC WATER
Primes
MCN Build
Hamel Builders
DCSEU
Sportsbooks
Grand Central
Caesars
Bet MGM
Opening Session
AUDITORIUM
10:30 am - 11:15 am
Welcoming Remarks-
Deputy Mayor Albert
Director Suggs-Evans
Keith Howard
5th Floor Sessions
Lightning Room
504 Event Space
11:30 am - 12:00 pm
Department of Small and Local Business Development
-Certification Overview
12:15 pm - 12:45 pm
Department of Employment Services - Office of Talent and Client Services Overview
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Bonding 101
1:45 pm - 2:15 pm
Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking
2:30 pm - 3:00 pm
Small Business Administration Overview
Workshop/Panels
Auditorium
11:30 am- 12:15 pm
Subcontracting: A Winning Opportunity
12:25 pm - 1:10 pm
Accessing the Full Breadth of DSLBD: Managers Panel
1:20 pm- 2:05 pm
Demystifying the Loan Application Process ( Doing Business with a Community Development Financial Institution
2:15 pm - 3:00 pm
Conquering Contracts: A to Z
(Learning the Procurement Process)
Venessa Kadiri
Procurement Specialist at District of Columbia, Department of Small and Local Business Development
(MODERATOR)
Venessa Noel, a United States Navy Service-Disabled Veteran is serving in the role of a Procurement Specialist with the District of Columbia Apex Accelerator (formerly DC PTAC), a program of the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development. Venessa has been with DC APEX Accelerator for ten years where she provides D.C. based businesses one-on-one counseling and technical assistance in identifying marketing opportunities, sub-contracting opportunities, preparation and submission of bids and proposals and post-award assistance for procurement with Federal, State and/or local governments.
Owned Small Businesses.
Prior to joining DC APEX Accelerator, Ms. Noel was an Associate Faculty member; she taught in the School of Humanities at the University. Ms. Kadiri holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree and Master of Art in Procurement and Acquisitions Management degree with a Certificate in Government Contracting from Webster University.
johnny seikaly
Director of Contracts and Compliance, MCN Build
Johnny Seikaly utilizes his 22 years of international economic and community development experience to maximize the positive economic impacts of capital projects in the DMV. As Director of Contracts and Compliance, Johnny leads MCN Build’s community engagement and economic inclusion efforts. His experience working in post-conflict and recovery environments allows him to enter communities, including one’s hostile to outside developers, and develop relationships with constituents in order to jointly identify and overcome barriers to entry for local individuals and businesses that can serve the project’s needs.
David Fisher
Manager of Supplier Diversity for Hensel Phelps
David Fisher provides project oversight to ensure full compliance with project specific MBE/DBE requirements on projects in our Mid Atlantic District. He conducts extensive outreach efforts, and develops community, small and local business partnering, and workforce incorporation programs. Mr. Fisher also conducts our Hensel Phelps’ Technical Assistance Program to help small business owners work effectively with Hensel Phelps and grow their capacity overall. He provides oversight of the Mid Atlantic District’s Mentor-Protégé programs, supports and engages industry-based organizations, and coordinates advertising that supports the Hensel Phelps’ small and local business inclusion efforts.
Mr. Fisher holds a B.S. in Construction Engineering from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University and is affiliated with several industry organizations including the Maryland Minority Contractors Association, Associated Builders & Contractors, AGC of DC, the Maryland Washington Minority Companies Association and Prince George’s County Chamber of Commerce. He began his career with Hensel Phelps in 2007 and was the 2019 Maryland Minority Contractors Association’s “Outstanding Minority Advocate Award” recipient.
Subcontracting: A Winning Opportunity Panel Discussion
Milton Goodman
Program Manager,
APEX Accelerators
J. Milton Goodman joined the Department of Small and Local Business (DSLBD) in March 2013 as the program manager for the DC Procurement Technical Assistance Center (DC PTAC). In this role he is responsible for the complete oversight of the DC PTAC program. This included operation, finance, marketing, and human resources related to this Department of Defense Grant vehicle.
Kate Mereand
Program Manger,
Innovation & Equitable Development Division
Kate Mereand is a career professional working to build and support the small business ecosystem in the District of Columbia. Kate joined the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) in 2015 and was named a manager in 2016, overseeing the creation and growth of DSLBD's entrepreneurial programs. When DSLBD's Innovation and Equitable Development Office (Inno.ED) was officially created in 2018, Kate continued to manage the growing program, working to provide services and guidance for aspiring and current entrepreneurs while also overseeing public trainings and the rollout of grants aimed at removing barriers to entrepreneurship.
Accessing the Full Breadth of DSLBD: Managers Panel Discussion
Keith Howard is an experienced business and procurement professional with 20 years of experience and expertise. Keith joined the DC Department of Small and Local Business Development in 2019 as a Certification Specialist, where he learned the Certified Business Enterprise law and spend requirements. The education gathered in Certification and his experience as a former small business owner propelled Keith to the Procurement Technical Assistance Center.
Keith Howard
Program Manager,
Business Opportunities Division
Melissa Resil
Program Manger,
Certifications Division
In February of 2011, Ms. Melissa Resil joined the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) as the Business Certification Manager for the Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program. Excluding monitoring the certification team, her responsibility includes monitoring over 1900 certified businesses and contributing to the District's spend with small CBEs by providing the supply needed to meet the statutory requirements of the CBE program. Because of her and the DSLBD's team effort, the District spent $1.1 billion with CBEs that maintained the program's small subcategory last fiscal year.
Charles Cooper
Program Manger,
Compliance Division
Charles M. Cooper, Jr. has dedicated his career to achieving excellence. His unwavering commitment to ethical standards and his deep understanding of regulatory intricacies have defined his professional journey.
Currently, as the Manager of Compliance and Enforcement at D.C. – Small and Local Business Development, Charles is deeply committed to fostering the growth of small businesses. In this capacity, he leads a team of Compliance Specialists who are responsible for ensuring strict adherence to the CBE Act.
Demystifying the Application Process: Doing Business with A Community Development Financial Institution Panel Discussion
J.B. Behrens
Senior Small Business Loan Officer, DC Latino Economic Development Center
In 2020, J.B joined LEDC following a tenure of over 14 years managing operations for a furniture manufacturer. His role involved overseeing production across contracted factories spanning North Carolina, West Virginia, Ohio, as well as locations in Ecuador and Vietnam. “Being a part of the LEDC team brings me immense satisfaction as I assist entrepreneurs in the DC area to achieve their business objectives”.
Before his time in the furniture industry, he gained experience in restaurants and law firms in DC and engaged in software marketing in Scotland. He pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and the Universidad Laica Vincente Roca Fuerte in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He furthered his education with graduate studies in international business at the University of Stirling, Scotland.
Caleb Spencer
Loan Officer, City First Enterprises
As a Loan Officer, Caleb is responsible for reviewing financial data, assessing credit risk, and structuring transactions. Additionally, he provides financial and credit analysis, and contributes to business development efforts. Prior to joining CFE, Caleb spent time in various roles at a number of nonprofit and community development organizations. Within theses roles, he provided direct services, program management, and independent research relevant to community development and affordable housing efforts. Caleb holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia, as well as a certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.
Shauna Yeldell,
Chief Lending Officer, Wacif
Shauna has more than twenty-five years of banking and finance experience with multinational institutions such as Bank of America and regional institutions such as Fulton Bank. Her experience includes the management of portfolios exceeding $100 Million including commercial and industrial entities, municipalities, real estate development entities, community development organizations, public-private partnerships. Shauna has served on numerous non-profit boards of directors and advisory committees. She is a long-term Rotarian and Paul Harris Fellow. Throughout her career, Shauna has maintained an affinity for developing sustainable communities through the economic development of underserved populations. Shauna is a Doctorate of Business Administration graduate from Temple University where she currently serves as an adjunct professor within the Fox Management Consulting Group. She enjoys yoga, golf, biking, performing arts, and traveling.
Kate Mereand
Program Manger,
Innovation & Equitable Development Division (MODERATOR)
Kate Mereand is a career professional working to build and support the small business ecosystem in the District of Columbia. Kate joined the Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) in 2015 and was named a manager in 2016, overseeing the creation and growth of DSLBD's entrepreneurial programs. When DSLBD's Innovation and Equitable Development Office (Inno.ED) was officially created in 2018, Kate continued to manage the growing program, working to provide services and guidance for aspiring and current entrepreneurs while also overseeing public trainings and the rollout of grants aimed at removing barriers to entrepreneurship.
William (Pete) Teague
Ombudsman,
District of Columbia Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP)
He is responsible for providing vendors and contractors with a voice into DC Government and help in resolving their concerns with District contracting and procurement actions. He also provides education to the business community on opportunity identification and capture strategies with the District. Mr. Teague has over 30 years of Private and Public Sector experience in Procurement Management, Product Management and Economic Development.
Mr. Teague joined the District in 2013 as Chief Contract Officer for the District’s Department of Transportation. Other District positions included OCP Liaison to the Department of Small and Local Business Development and OCP Procurement Planning Operations. Prior to joining the District, Mr. Teague was the State of Delaware Contract and Procurement Administrator and Interim Director of Delaware’s Office of Supplier Diversity. He also served on Delaware Technical Community College’s Business and Entrepreneurial Studies Advisory Board and was a frequent speaker at the Delaware Hispanic Commission’s Business After Hours Events.
Mr. Teague’s Private Sector experience includes positions with Digital Equipment Corporation, Compaq Computer Corporation, and IBM in the capacities of International Field Service Logistics Manager for Latin America and the Middle East, Plant Purchasing Manager, Contract Manager, Product Development Manager for Data Storage and Mission Critical Complex Solutions and the development of technology solutions to the business challenges faced by small and mid-sized businesses.
Mr. Teague’s education includes business studies at Franklin Pierce College, The University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and the successful completion of Boston University’s Executive Challenge Program
Conquering Contracts: A to Z (Learning the Procurement Process) Workshop
For more information on District Connect ‘23 email the Business Opportunities Division at Business.Opportunities@dc.gov
DSLBD.DC.GOV
DISTRICT
coNNECT
RESOURCES FOR PROCUREMENT SUCCESS
2023