(l to r) Jim Dininger, Deputy Director, DMEA; Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small Business and Center for Veterans Enterprise; Tom Gisler, CEO, The FTC; Congressman Dan Lungren, 3rd District, Calif.; and Thomas Johnson, Calif. Secretary of Veteran Affairs |
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GovLink Conference 2008 Highlights Contracting Opportunities for
Veteran-Owned Businesses
October 14-15, 2008
Veteran-Owned businesses were the
focus of The Federal Technology Center’s
(The FTC) GovLink Conference 2008 held on
October 14-15, 2008. Distinguished guests at the conference included Congressman Dan Lungren, 3rd Congressional District, who conveyed his support for veterans and for veteran-owned small businesses and summarized the latest initiatives active in Congress; California Secretary of Veteran Affairs, Thomas Johnson, who represented Governor Schwarzenegger, and set the tone for the conference; and Jim Dininger, Deputy Director, Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA), who described DMEA’s role in insuring an adequate supply of reliable microelectronic devices for DoD weapon systems. Keynote speaker Scott Denniston, Director, Office of Small Business and Center for Veterans Enterprise in Washington, D.C., provided valuable insight about current U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs initiatives to help veteran-owned business owners seeking federal marketplace opportunities.
Morning and afternoon classes provided attendees with valuable training in labor and contracting law, marketing to the government, responding to requests for proposals, and government subcontracting. A separate class describing the Patriot Express Loan Program for veteran-owned businesses was also presented. Tom Gisler, CEO of The FTC, welcomed the attendees and emceed the formal conference which preceded both morning and afternoon classes.
Motivational Humorist, Dixie Schneider, was the featured luncheon speaker and Richard Wyatt from the California Department of Veterans Affairs presented an overview of California's new veteran’s homes and the contract opportunities open to disabled veteran businesses in building and furnishing these homes.
Participants, who were able to network face-to-face with key government and prime contractor decision makers to learn about government contracting opportunities, had these things to say about their experience:
• “Very good and useful information” - Sam Shang, Amedia Networks, Inc.
• “More than a refresher. I learned financing techniques as well as, new ways to navigate the government maze. I made lots of new contacts. The conference was motivational and helped me refocus on the priorities of the business.” - Tom Birks, Red Barn Microwave
• “I learned how to find government opportunities for my business and how to be more successful.” - Linda Parr, Cal Heritage
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