How to do Business with Regional Transit

Doing Business with Regional Transit
July 30, 2009

For the sixth year, Sacramento Regional Transit District (RT) and The Federal Technology Center (The FTC) invited business owners to meet with RT’s Executive Management Team, headed by Michael Wiley, General Manager and CEO, and the entire Procurement Team, at its How to Do Business with Regional Transit, held on July 30 at RT Headquarters. Steve Cohn, Chair of the RT Board of Directors and Sacramento City Council Member, welcomed the attendees. Special guest, Derrin J. Jourdan, of the Federal Transit Administration encouraged participants by stating that, due to federal dollars budgeted for projects, there has never been a better time to do business with transit. The centerpiece of the event was significant networking time, during which business cards flew and animated conversation filled the room.

The entire RT Procurement Team offered important tips for being successful with RT during a panel discussion that was anchored by Mike Mattos, Chief of Facilities and Business Support Services. Fernando Barcena, Manager, Contracts and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program gave a detailed presentation that described how RT’s aggressive small business program can benefit both small and small disadvantaged businesses. The day was capped by three classes during the afternoon: State Small Business Certification, offered by Eric Mandell, Chief of Communications and Outreach for the California Department of General Services; California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) DBE Certification, presented by Jerone Edwards, DBE Certification Analyst with Caltrans; and Doing Business with Regional Transit, taught by Carol Bowyer, Senior Counselor and Instructor from The FTC.