When:
June 14, 2024, 7:30 AM - 3 PM
Where:
600 West 7th Avenue Dena'ina Civic and Convention Center - Kahtnu 1-2 Anchorage, AK 99501, Anchorage
Cost:
Free
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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/
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.
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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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/
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.