The Y-12 National Security Complex and The University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services Procurement Technical Assistance Center (UT CIS-PTAC) join with a host of East Tennessee agencies including the City of Knoxville’s Purchasing Department to sponsor the third annual East Tennessee Veterans’ Business Conference. 

East TN Veteran's Business ConferenceThe theme of this conference is Increasing Opportunities for Veteran-Owned Businesses. It will be held at the New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Road, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Tuesday, August 4, from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. 

The conference will be held at the New Hope Center, 602 Scarboro Road, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Tuesday, August 4, from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. 

The purpose of the Veterans’ Business Conference is to increase business opportunities for service-disabled veteran and veteran-owned small businesses. All small business owners are welcome to attend 

U.S. Congressman Zach Wamp and the State of Tennessee Commissioner John Keys have agreed to serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of the Conference. 

Ms. Janis E. Kaiser, Deputy for Small Business, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Midwest (NAVFAC Midwest) of Great Lakes, Illinois will be the keynote speaker at the Conference. NAVFAC contracts with small businesses in the area of engineering, construction, and environmental services through the following business lines: Capital Improvements and Military Construction Projects, Public Works, Environmental, Base Development, Real Estate, and Contingency Engineering. During FY 08, NAVFAC, Midwest spent $8.68 Billion purchasing dollars with 35% going to small businesses and 2.16% of all purchases going to Service Disabled Veteran Small Businesses. 

This year’s conference features two additional important sessions: “Doing Business with Homeland Security” with Kevin Boshears of Washington D.C. and “Doing Business with the Missile Defense Agency” with Lee Rosenburg of Huntsville, Alabama. The conference agenda also includes sessions that will provide important information on the basics of government contracting; how to get on the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule; and financing options for small businesses (Patriot Loan Program for Veterans). 

At the conference, small business owners can attend a “Meet the Buyers” session of federal, state, local governments, and the Department of Energy (DOE) Prime Contractors. Buyers from Fort Campbell and the Veterans’ Administration will also be attending. Veteran owned businesses will have the opportunity to schedule "one on one" appointments to explore possible business opportunities. 

There is no charge for the conference, however, due to limited space the deadline for registration is July 28. To register, call toll free at 1-888-763-7439.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CONFERENCE CONTACT:

Mr. L. Weldon Hammond II
B&W Y-12
Phone: 865-574-5298
[email protected]

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Alice Brandon
B&W Y-12
865-576-2963
[email protected]

Robert L. Minter, Jr.
Knox County
Supplier Diversity Coordinator
865-215-5756
[email protected]

Queena Jones
The University of Tennessee
Institute for Public Service
865-974-6621
[email protected]

CONFERENCE AGENDA

7:30 am Conference Registration

7:55 am – 8:00 pm Pledge of Allegiance

8:00 am – 4:00 pm Conference Exhibitors

8:00 am – 8:15 am Opening Ceremonies, Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:15 am – 8:30 am Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Commissioner John Keys, State of Tennessee, Department of Veterans Affairs

8:30 am – 9:00 am Keynote Speaker
Ms. Janis E. Kaiser, Deputy for Small Business, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Midwest

9:00 am – 9:15 am SDVSB Success Story

9:15 am – 9:45 am General Session: E-Commerce & Business Opportunities with Y-12
Ms. Gloria Mencer, Socioeconomic Programs Office, Y-12 National Security Complex 
Mr. Matthew Smith, Procurement Buyer, Y-12 National Security Complex 

9:45 am – 10:00 am AM Break 

10:00 am – 10:30 am Doing Business with Homeland Security
Mr. Kevin Boshears, Director, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 

10:45 am – 11:30 am Breakout Sessions 

10:45 am – 11:30 am Session A: Doing Business with DOE Prime Contractors
Moderator: Ms. Freda Hopper, DOE-ORO Small Business Manager 
Panel: NNSA & DOE Prime Contractors, Y-12 Uranium Processing Facility Project - Mr. Don Owen, Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Mr. Keith Joy, Oak Ridge Associated Universities - TBA, Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC - Mr. McArthur Moore, Wackenhut Services, Inc. - Ms. Kathy McMillan

10:45 am – 11:30 am Session B: Doing Business with State and Local Governments 
Moderator: Mr. Robert Minter (Veteran) Knox County Government 
Panel: State of Tennessee - Mr. Ronnie Wade, City of Knoxville - Mr. Boyce Evans, Anderson County - Ms. Pamela Cotham, Knoxville Chamber/Innovation Valley - Doug Minter 

10:45 am – 11:30 am Session C: USDA Energy Related Business Opportunities
Mr. Mark Downing, Senior Scientist and Agricultural Economist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

11:45 am – 12:00 pm Awards and Recognitions

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Luncheon

1:15 pm – 1:45 pm Doing Business with Missile Defense Agency
Mr. Lee Rosenberg, Director, Office of Small Business Programs

1:45 pm – 2:15 pm Introduction to Federal Business Opportunities
Moderator: Mr. Paul Middlebrooks, Marketing Consultant, UT Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC)
Ms. Sonja R. Robinson, Small Business Analyst, VISN 9 Acquisition Service Center, Department of Veterans Affairs
Ms. Susan H. Carroll, Procurement Analyst, Mission & Installation Contracting Command, Fort Campbell Military Base 

2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Breakout Sessions 

2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Session A: How to Get on the GSA Schedule Training
Ms. Rebecca A. Vanover, Small Business Development Specialist, General Services Administration

2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Session B: Financing Opportunities & Marketing Tips for Small Businesses
Mr. David Tiller, US Small Business Administration
Mr. Larry Rossini, TN Small Business Development Center

2:30 pm – 3:15 pm Session C: Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA1) 
Speaker: To Be Announced
Y-12 National Security Complex

3:30 pm – 3:45 pm Final Conference Remarks 
Mr. L. Weldon Hammond II, Office of Socioeconomic Programs, B&W Y-12 

Meet the Buyers Appointment Sessions all day in the Exhibit Area

SPONSORS AND PARTNERS OF THE CONFERENCE:

Bechtel Jacobs Company, City of Knoxville, City of Oak Ridge, East Tennessee Military Affairs Council, Knox County Government, Knoxville Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Utilities Board, Merrick & Company, the National Nuclear Security Administration, Natural Resources Conservation Services – Smoky Mountain RC & D, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Roane State Community College, Small Business Administration, Tennessee Small Business Development Center, Tennessee Economic and Community Development Business Enterprise Resource Office, Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Council, The University of Tennessee Procurement Technical Assistance Center, United States Army Corps of Engineers, United States Department of Energy, and Wackenhut Services Oak Ridge Team.