8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Conference Registration and Information Desk Hours

Palace Ballroom Office

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Exhibitor Check-in and Set-up

Augustus Ballroom I – IV

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Federal Contracting 101

This session is geared toward small businesses that are new to the Federal Government contracting arena. It will provide a basic overview on contracting with the Federal Government.

Moderator:
Dr. Alain Hunter, Program Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Air Force [Briefing]

Panelists:
Mr. Rick Horn, Director, Nevada Procurement Technical Assistance Center
Ms. Kathy Dow, Deputy Director, Nevada Procurement Technical Assistance Center [Briefing]

Florentine I – II

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Welcome Reception and EXPO
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army
Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Palace Ballroom Foyer

Expo Reception Entertainment

Concert: Mark Wills, Country Music Star

Palace Ballroom III

7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Conference Registration and Information Desk Hours

Palace Ballroom Office

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

Palace Ballroom Foyer

8:00 am – 8:30 am

Opening Ceremonies
Presentation of the Colors
Welcome and Opening Remarks

Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army
Dr. James I. Finley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, U.S. Department of Defense

Palace Ballroom III

8:30 am – 10:00 pm

Executive Order Panel

Federal agencies tasked under Executive Order 13360 will provide an update on action taken and final product delivered. Each agency will also discuss future initiatives that will support the Executive Order.

Moderator:
Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army [Briefing]

Panelists:
Mr. John Phelps, Chief of Staff, U.S. General Services Administration
Mr. Anthony Martoccia, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of Defense
Mr. William D. Elmore, Associate Administrator, Office Of Veterans Business Development (VA), U.S. Small Business Administration
Mr. Gordon J. Burke, Jr., Director, Operations and Programs, U.S. Department of Labor
Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Palace Ballroom III

10:00 am – 10:30 am

AM Break

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Overview of the Program and Legislative Update

This session will discuss the current legislative outlook and objectives, and how legislation can benefit service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses.

Moderator:
Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Panelists:
Mr. Mike Brinck, Staff Director, Economic Opportunity Sub-Committee, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Minority Staff
Mr. Greg Willis, Staff Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Majority Staff
Mr. Rick Weidman, Chairman, Task Force for Veterans Entrepreneurship
Mr. Walter Blackwell, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Veterans Corporation [Briefing]

Palace Ballroom III

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Luncheon

Mr. Rocky Bleier, National Spokesman, National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA)

Palace Ballroom I – II

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Industry Breakout Sessions

These sessions will provide industry specific information on contracting and subcontracting opportunities within the Federal Government and how best to position your company for success. The industry breakout sessions are split in to two sections, which will feature a seamless transition.

Palace Ballroom III

Breakout: IT Part I

Providing Service-Disabled Veteran Opportunities for Industry and Government through the Veterans Technology Services (VETS) GWAC

This session features GSA's newest Governmentwide Acquisition Contract, or GWAC, designed to help Federal agencies achieve small business goals through purchase of integrated technology solutions from small business owned by service-disabled veterans. Discover how VETS provides cutting-edge solutions without the expense and time involved in traditional set-aside procurements through flexible Industry Solutions. This course will highlight the contract's key elements to assist in acquisition strategy decisions.

Moderator:
Mr. Tom F. Brown, Director SDVOSB Initiatives, U.S. General Services Administration [Briefing]

Panelists:
Ms. Mary Parks, Director, Small Business GWAC Center, U.S. General Services Administration
Ms. Jean Oyler, Director Business Operations, Small Business GWAC Center, U.S. General Services Administration
Ms. Janna Babcock, Contract Specialist/Contracting Officer, Small Business GWAC Center, U.S. General Services Administration
Mr. Jim Ghiloni, Director, Office of GWAC Programs, U.S. General Services Administration

Emperors Ballroom I

Breakout: Construction Part I

This session will focus on issues that face small businesses within the construction industry. Specific topics covered are bonding, subcontracting, and basic fundamental Federal regulations related to construction contracts. The session will also provide you with information that will help you to succeed in the construction contracting arena.

Moderator:
Mr. Anthony Bell, Associate Director of Small Business, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Panelists:
Ms. Jeanette Brown, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Mr. Robert M. Griffin, Assistant Commander for Acquisition, Naval Facilities Engineering Command
Mr. William M. Gross, Director, Office of Wage Determinations, Wage and Hour Division, U.S. Department of Labor
Mr. Louis H. Pruitt, Program Manager, Overseas Buildings Operations, U.S. Department of State

Emperors Ballroom II

Breakout: Manufacturing Part I

Meet with Federal agencies that spend contract dollars in the manufacturing industry. They will discuss their agencies' strategic plans for the future. This will be an opportunity to meet those agencies and highlight your veteran business competencies and ways that you can meet their future demands.

Moderator:
Ms. Rebecca Parks, HUBZone Specialist & Business Counseling Center Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, Defense Supply Center Columbus [Briefing]

Panelists:
Mr. Phillip Roth, Program Manager, MTAPP, Air Force Outreach Program Office, U.S. Department of the Air Force [Briefing]
Ms. Teri Lesicko, Program Manager, SAGE Systems Technologies, LLC [Briefing]

Florentine I - II

Breakout: Services Part I

This session will focus on challenges specific to service contracts, including physical security, staffing, performance-based contracting, incentive awards, response to performance work statements, and board reviews.

Moderator:
Ms. Cathy J. Read, Director, Office of Acquisitions Management, U.S. Department of State

Panelists:
Mr. Bobby Watts, Director of Small Business Programs, Air Education and Training Command, U.S. Department of the Air Force [Briefing]
Mr. Robert Medina, Small Business Specialist, Dryden Flight Research Center, NASA [Briefing]
Mr. Dijon Ferdinand, Contract Specialist, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce [Briefing]

Florentine III - IV

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

PM Break

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Industry Breakout Sessions (continued)

Breakout: IT Part II

This session will focus on increasing awareness of the Federal Government’s quest for Knowledge Superiority through integrated command and control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. It will also identify IT opportunities within the Federal Government.

Moderator:
Ms. Susan Burrows, Associate Director, Small Business Programs, Space and Naval Warfare Center

Panelists:
Mr. Lee Harvey, Deputy Program Executive Officer, Army Program Executive Office Enterprise Information Systems, ITEC4 [Briefing]
Mr. Nicholas Freije, Afloat Networks & Future Enterprise Networking Chief Engineer, Space and Naval Warfare Center Program Executive Office [Briefing]
Mr. Gilberto Del Valle, Small Business Specialist, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA [Briefing]
Mr. Joseph Shaffer, Executive Director for Organization Management, Office of Information and Technology, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Emperors Ballroom I

Breakout: Construction Part II

This session will provide you with specific procurement information and opportunities available from the lead buying Federal agencies within the construction industry.

Moderator:
Mr. Jack Beecher, Small Business Deputy, North Atlantic Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [Briefing]

Panelists:
Mr. Jerry Franco, Chief, Procurement Assistance Division, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Transportation [Briefing]
Mr. Louis H. Pruitt, Program Manager, Overseas Building Operations, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), U.S. Department of State
Mr. Gregory A. McSweeney, Program Manager, San Francisco Project Executive Branch, U.S. General Services Administration [Briefing]

Emperors Ballroom I

Breakout: Manufacturing Part II

This breakout session will focus on specific opportunities at the Navy Inventory Control Point Philadelphia (NAVICP), Defense Supply Center Columbus (DSCC), and various Defense Industry Partners. Come and learn where to find actual solicitation packages, technical drawings and all other information you need to prepare your government proposals.

Moderator:
Ms. Rebecca Parks, HUBZone Specialist & Business Counseling Center Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, Defense Supply Center Columbus [Briefing]

Panelists:
Mr. Steve S. Marion, Senior Program Director, Future Combat Systems, The Boeing Company [Briefing]
Mr. Kenneth Warden, Senior Quality Assurance Specialist, Defense Contract Management Agency [Briefing]
Mr. Dale Karraker, Executive Director, Defense Sustainment Consortium [Briefing]
Mr. Robert Hughes, Team Leader, Power and Propulsion, Source Development Division, NAVICP Philadelphia [Briefing]
Mr. Verne Johnson, Technical Engineer and Socio-Economic Sourcing Specialist, Office of Small Business Programs, Defense Supply Center Columbus, U.S. Defense Logistics Agency

Florentine I - II

Breakout: Services Part II

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is the Federal Government’s business manager, buyer, real estate developer, telecommunications manager, and IT solutions provider for billions of dollars worth of products and services for federal agencies. The Federal Supply Service (FSS) has procurement responsibility to supply millions of commercial items, and other GSA services handle procurements for telecommunications, buildings, and real property. This workshop will include: how to download the appropriate solicitation; what information should be included in the offer; past performance evaluation criteria; the commercial sales practices requirement; what to expect after the proposal is submitted to GSA; and how federal agencies use schedule contractors to fulfill requirements for goods and services.

Ms. Pamela Smith-Cressel, Director, Office of Small Business Utilization, Office of the Deputy Regional Administrator Staff, U.S. General Services Administration [Briefing]

Florentine III - IV

Augustus Ballroom I – IV

7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Conference Registration and Information Desk Hours

Palace Ballroom Office

7:00 am – 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

Palace Ballroom Foyer

8:00 am – 9:00 am

The Real Deal

This session will focus on a candid review of the SDVOSB program. The objective of this session is to provide you with accurate information on the program that will allow your company to be successful within the Federal contracting arena.

Moderator:
Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Panelists:
Mr. Ron Poussard, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Air Force
Mr. Glenn A. Delgado, Assistant Administrator, Office of Small Business Programs, NASA
Ms. Debbie Ridgely, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Mr. Billy C. Jenkins, Procurement Analyst, Office Of Veterans Business Development, Office Of The Assistant Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

Palace Ballroom III

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Small Business Case Study

Our Nation is faced with a growing number of returning wounded warriors who are seeking out opportunities for success after their service. They are the future of the SDVOSB program and Federal agencies need initiatives to assist them to be successful. This session will discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly related to returning wounded warriors starting their own small business.

Moderator:
LTC James A. Blanco, Assistant to the Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army

Panelists:
Mr. Richard J. Otero, Sr., President, EZcertify.com [Briefing]
Ms. Dawn Halfaker, Chief Executive Officer, Halfaker and Associates, LLC [Briefing]
Mr. Tracy M. Reep, President, Disabled Veterans Office Suppliers [Briefing]

Palace Ballroom III

10:00 am – 10:30 am

AM Break

10:30 am – 12:00 pm

SDVOSB Success Stories

This session will showcase successful SDVO small businesses. They will present their business profile, provide a brief overview of their business plan, and how they successfully conduct business with the Federal Government.

Moderator:
Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Panelists:
Mr. John P. Moliere, President, Standard Communications, Inc. [Briefing]
Mr. Neil Snyder, President, Veterans Engineering, Inc. [Briefing]
Mr. Enrique A. Tessada, President, Tessada Associates, Inc. [Briefing]

Palace Ballroom III

12 :00 pm – 1:30 pm

Awards Luncheon (CVE Awards)

The CVE Awards Program has been recognizing significant contributions by organizations and individuals who are dedicated to expanding business opportunities for veterans and service-connected disabled veterans since 2001. Our Enterprising Veteran Award is our most prestigious honor. This award recognizes veterans whose quality performance provides advocates with specific success stories, a critical tool in promoting the program nationwide.

The Honorable Gordon H. Mansfield, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Palace Ballroom I – II

1 :30 pm – 3:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Breakout: Teaming and Joint Ventures

Many VO and SDVO small businesses are learning that success in the Federal market place requires teamwork. This session will provide an overview on how to team and establish joint ventures to increase contracting opportunities within the Federal Government.

Mr. Ralph C. Thomas, III, Special Counsel, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, Washington, DC [Briefing]

Emperors Ballroom I

Breakout: Subcontracting

This session will discuss the opportunities available for small businesses through subcontracting. Further, it will provide information on how to develop successful subcontracting relationships.

Moderator:
Ms. Wendy Despres, Subcontracting Program Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army

Panelists:
Ms. Diane G. Dempsey, Director, Small Business Relations for Customer Solutions, BAE Systems [Briefing]
Ms. Jaye Lampert, Small Business Liaison Officer, Rolls-Royce Corporation [Briefing]
Ms. Lee Ann Standish, Vice President/Program Manager, PMP, Government Contract Support Center, SAIC [Briefing]

Emperors Ballroom II

Breakout: Sources Sought and Proposal Development

This session will discuss the proper preparation for sources sought and proposal development, which is critical to achieving business with the Federal Government.

Moderator:
Ms. Debbie Ridgely, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Panelists:
Ms. Michele McCoy, Branch Chief, Simplified Acquisition and Support Services Branch, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Eastern Region Acquisition Division
Mr. Andre Stefanovich, Manager, Acquisition Division, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA
Mr. Dennis DeMolet, President/CEO, DeMolet Consulting

Florentine I - II

Breakout: Marketing and Presentation Skills

Knowing how to put your best face forward in marketing your capabilities is key to a successful business. This session will explain successful marketing techniques and discuss the presentation skills necessary to win over customers.

Moderator:
Ms. Pamela Monroe, Associate Director, Contracting Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Contracting Agency

Panelist:
Mr. James L. Standfield, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, The Standfield Group

Florentine III - IV

Breakout: International Business Opportunities

This session will feature representatives of the Australian Embassy who will talk about teaming and partnering with foreign businesses, advantages and disadvantages of doing business in another country, legal issues, applicable trade agreements, geographic issues, and various business customs. Our countries have fought side by side in virtually every war and conflict since World War I. This is an opportunity for all veterans of all countries to work together again, this time in peace.

Moderator:
Mr. Gary Cook, Business Development Specialist, IT Marketing Division Customer/Vendor Relations GSA/FSS IT Acquisition Center [Briefing]

Panelists:
Mr. Aurelio Azpiazu, Defence Industry Advisor, Embassy of Australia [Briefing]
Mr. Lincoln Parker, Business Manager for Defence & Aerospace, Embassy of Australia [Briefing]
Lieutenant Colonel Per Lyse Rasmussen, Defense Industrial Cooperation, Royal Danish Embassy

Roman III – IV

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm

PM Break

3:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Breakout: Classified Contracts and Clearances

This session will discuss the specific procedures and methods that are used to secure opportunities in classified contracts, clearances, and cleared facilities within the Federal Government.

Moderator:
Ms. Pamela Porter, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, National Security Agency [Briefing]

Panelists:
Ms. Sandra L. Broadnax, Director, Small Business Programs Office, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency [Briefing]
Ms. Yvonne F. Howerton, CPCM, Director of Contracting, U.S. Army INSCOM [Briefing]
Mr. Mark Gross, President & CEO, Oak Grove Technologies [Briefing]

Emperors Ballroom I

Breakout: Franchising Opportunities

This session will discuss franchising and the opportunities for small-business ownership that it provides in more than 75 different industries. Included will be information about how to investigate a franchise before investing and an overview of the International Franchise Association's "VetFran" program through which honorably-discharged veterans are offered financial incentives to acquire a franchised small business.

Mr. Terry Hill, Vice President, Communications & Media Relations, International Franchise Association [Briefing]
Mr. Phil Trigg, COO & Partner, FranFit [Briefing]

Emperors Ballroom II

Breakout: Commercial Business Opportunities

This session will provide information on maintaining a strong U.S. industrial base by fostering entrepreneurship and business opportunities for VO/SDVO small businesses within the commercial business sector.

Moderator:
Mr. Murray Schooner, Government Supporters Director, National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) [Briefing]

Panelists:
LTC James A. Blanco, Assistant to the Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army
Mr. Dan Robinson, Director, Supplier Diversity, Xerox Corporation [Briefing]
Mr. Al Saxon, Vice President, Vision Technologies, Inc. [Briefing]

Florentine I - II

Breakout: State Business Opportunities

This session will provide an overview of initiatives available at the state level that provide business opportunities to VO/SDVO small businesses. It will discuss specific programs that are available and how a small business can leverage current capabilities to participate in state opportunities.

Moderator:
Secretary John Garcia, Cabinet Secretary, State of New Mexico Department of Veterans Services

Panelists:
Secretary Tom Johnson, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Jim Willis, Director, Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. John Lee, Director, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs

Florentine III - IV

Breakout: When You Need a Lawyer

This session will provide information on what legal resources are available to VO/SDVO small businesses. It will also discuss what types of situations justify a lawyer and how to leverage the services a lawyer would provide to best benefit your company.

Mr. Tony R. Franco, Partner, PilieroMazza PLLC [Briefing]
Mr. Tim S. McClain, Of Counsel, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC, Washington, DC
Ms. Holly Svetz, Partner, Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice PLLC, Washington, DC

Roman III – IV

1:30 pm - 6:00 pm

EXPO Open

Augustus I – IV

7:00 am – 5:00 pm

Conference Registration and Information Desk Hours

Palace Ballroom Office

6:30 am – 8:00 am

Continental Breakfast

Palace Ballroom Foyer

7:30 am – 9:00 am

Town Hall

The Town Hall is an opportunity for conference attendees to provide feedback and ask questions to several top Federal officials on the VO/SDVO small business program. This is your chance to voice your opinion and engage in a candid discussion on how to improve opportunities for veterans.

Moderator:
Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army

Panelists:
Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Mr. Felipe Mendoza, Associate Administrator, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. General Services Administration
Mr. Glenn A. Delgado, Assistant Administrator, Office of Small Business Programs, NASA
Mr. Ron Poussard, Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Air Force
Ms. Jeanette Brown, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Ms. Debbie Ridgely, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Ms. Oreta Stinson, Acting Director, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Navy
Mr. Leonardo San Roman, Deputy Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Transportation

Palace Ballroom III

8:00 am – 12:00 pm

EXPO Open

Augustus I – IV

9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Matchmaking Sessions

Emperors Ballroom

10:00 am - 10:30 am

AM Break

10:30 am - 12:00 pm

Breakout Sessions

Breakout: Teaming and Joint Ventures

This session will provide an overview on how to team and establish joint ventures to increase contracting opportunities within the Federal Government.

Mr. Ralph C. Thomas, III, Special Counsel, Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, Washington, DC [Briefing]

Florentine I

Breakout: Subcontracting

This session will discuss the opportunities available for small businesses through subcontracting. Further, it will provide information on how to develop successful subcontracting relationships.

Moderator:
Ms. Wendy Despres, Subcontracting Program Manager, Office of Small Business Programs, U.S. Department of the Army

Panelists:
Ms. Diane G. Dempsey, Director, Small Business Relations for Customer Solutions, BAE Systems [Briefing]
Ms. Jaye Lampert, Small Business Liaison Officer, Rolls-Royce Corporation [Briefing]
Ms. Lee Ann Standish, Vice President/Program Manager, PMP, Government Contract Support Center, SAIC [Briefing]

Florentine II

Breakout: Sources Sought and Proposal Development

This session will discuss the proper preparation for sources sought and proposal development, which is critical to achieving business with the Federal Government.

Moderator:
Ms. Debbie Ridgely, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Panelists:
Ms. Michele McCoy, Branch Chief, Simplified Acquisition and Support Services Branch, U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA Eastern Region Acquisition Division
Mr. Andre Stefanovich, Manager, Acquisition Division, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, NASA
Mr. Dennis DeMolet, President/CEO, DeMolet Consulting

Florentine III

Breakout: Marketing and Presentation Skills

Knowing how to put your best face forward in marketing your capabilities is key to a successful business. This session will explain successful marketing techniques and discuss the presentation skills necessary to win over customers.

Moderator:
Ms. Pamela Monroe, Associate Director, Contracting Center of Excellence, U.S. Army Contracting Agency

Panelist:
Mr. James L. Standfield, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, The Standfield Group

Florentine IV

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Closing Luncheon

Mr. Anthony J. Principi, Senior Vice President, Government Relations, Pfizer, Inc.

Palace Ballroom I – II