The FTC Co-Hosts Successful Conference for Disabled Veteran Businesses
October 24, 2002

For More Information:
Alice Astafan, CEO
The Federal Technology Center
4700 Roseville Road, Suite 105
North Highlands CA 95660
(916) 334-9388

On Monday, October 7, 2002, California 3rd District Congressman, Doug Ose, The Federal Technology Center and the Disabled Veterans Business Enterprise (DVBE) Alliance co-hosted a conference focused on providing information vital to small business owners who are also disabled veterans. Over one hundred fifty attended and twelve different organizations had exhibit booths/information tables to provide detailed information on contracting opportunities available for disabled veteran businesses.

The formal program featured introductory remarks by Mr. Dan Sharp, District Director of Congressman Doug Ose's local office, an overview of the Federal program for service-disabled Veteran-owned businesses by Mr. Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Department of Veteran Affairs, Washington D.C., and a description of Air Force contracting opportunities by Mr. Charles Willett, Director of Small Business, Air Force Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base.

Local contractual opportunities were presented by speakers from three different organizations: Lt. Col. Keith Albrecht, Deputy, Wing Plans, 60th Air Mobility Wing, Travis AFB; Colonel Michael Conrad, Sacramento District Engineer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Mr. Bruce Pyle, Manager, Overhead Purchasing, Procurement Systems and Administration, and Small Business Liaison Officer, Aerojet, Sacramento.

The morning session concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Ms. Carol Bowyer, Outreach Specialist, The FTC Procurement Technical Assistance Center, where questions from the audience were answered. Members of the panel included: Mr. Tom Kolis, Small Business Specialist, NASA AMES Research Center
Mr. Darphus (Jim) O'Neal, Sacramento District Director, Small Business Administration, Mr. Scott Denniston, Mr. Bruce Pyle, Mr. Gary Hoffman, President, Hoffman Technologies Inc. (a disabled veteran-owned business), Mr. Kevin O'Connor, President, California DVBE Alliance.

Luncheon speaker, Colonel Mike Newell, Vice Commander 9th Recon Wing, Beale AFB, updated the audience on the Beale AFB mission, new workload, and contractual needs.

At the conclusion of the formal conference, attendees had the opportunity to participate in one of three tours:
• Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA)
• UC Davis Nuclear Radiation Center
• McClellan Aviation Museum

To learn more about opportunities for your business, contact The Federal Technology Center at (916)334-9388.

[ Back to Top ]