Welcome and Opening Remarks:

• Dr. John Jones, Provost & V.P. Academic Affairs, Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical University
• Donna Ragucci, SES, Executive Director, U. S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
• Ashley Engles-Ross, V.P. for Small Business Development, Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce
• Moderator: Dr. Teresa Merriweather Orok, Campus Host – Professor & Executive Director Alabama A&M University Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development

Advancing Procurement Readiness – Straight Talk with Government Small Business Leaders

Panelists:

• Arielle Douglas, Deputy Director, U.S. Department of Health, and Human Services OSDBU
• David Brock, NASA Mentor Protégé Program Manager and MSFC Small Business Specialist
• Donna Ragucci, SES, Executive Director, U. S. Department of the Treasury OSDBU
• Exodie C. Roe III, Associate Administrator, General Services Administration OSDBU
• Nicole Boone, Deputy, OSBP, US Army Corps of Engineers, Huntsville Engineering and Support Center
• Moderator: Allison M. Rhen, Torch Technologies Division Manager & HASBAT President

How Can Small Business Owners Shape Public Policy? – The Impact of Government Regulations on Small Businesses

• Carol Ann House, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, Small Business Administration, Alabama District Office
• Keith Moore, Director, MBDA Federal Procurement Center, Washington, DC
• Moderator: Dr. Michael E. Orok, Professor and Director of MPA Program, AAM

Networking Break

Roundtable Conversation Access to Capital for Diverse Businesses – Promoting Innovation and Growth

• Melissa “Lisa” Oliva, Deputy Director & Senior Business Advisor, U.S. Department of the Treasury OSDBU
• Michael Brooks, Associate State Director, Alabama SBDC Network, The University of Alabama
• Heather Wright, Regional Manager / Finance Specialist, Alabama SBDC Network, The University of Alabama
• Moderator: Dean Timothy Mantz, Alabama A&M University, College of Business & Public Affairs

State of Small Business - Understanding Small Business Challenges and the Wealth Gap through Entrepreneurship Fireside Chat

• Roosevelt Conley, Director of Strategic Growth, SOL Engineering Services, LLC
• Miranda Bolden, CEO, LogiCore Corporation, Huntsville
• Randall D. Culpepper, Senior Business Development and Acquisition Policy Advisor, Dynetics a Leidos Company, Huntsville
• Kelly Falter, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist, Paragon Research Corporation, Huntsville
• Moderator: Charles Hyder, Jr., Southern District Director, 100 Black Men of America, Inc., Immediate Past President, 100 Black Men of Greater Huntsville

Alabama A&M Faculty Fireside Chat - Collaborations to Expand the Role of Small Business Ecosystems: A Briefing

• Moderator: Dr. Kimberly Holmes, Assistant Extension Director, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama A&M University
• Dr. Timothy Mantz, Dean, College of Business and Public Affairs
• Dr. Tau Kadhi, Associate V.P. of Academic Administration & Dean, School of Graduate Studies

Attendees Return to the James L. Dawson Cooperative Extension Building

Auditorium following Luncheon

Strategic Resources for Business / Government Contracting

Success

• Dr. Mel Adams, Senior UAH APEX Accelerator Advisor
• Hilary Claybourne, Alabama SBDC and APEX Accelerators
• Cynthia Crutchfield, CEO Innovate Alabama

How to do Business with General Services Administration (GSA)

• Paula Mensah, Small Business Technical Advisor, Small Business Advocacy and Engagement Division, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, U.S. General Services Administration

How to do Business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

• Mary McKinzie, Procurement Analyst, Internal Revenue Service, Office of Procurement Policy 

Q&A, Acknowledgements, and Closing Remarks

• Donna M. Ragucci, SES, Executive Director, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
• Dr. Teresa Orok, Executive Director Alabama A&M University Center for Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Economic Development and Host