Tinian Chamber of Commerce president Philip Mendiola-Long is inviting all business owners and those who are planning to conduct business with the U.S. government to join tomorrow’s Military Contracting Small Business Outreach Forum from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Tinian Dynasty & Casino.
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz will be giving the opening remarks to open the forum.
Speakers include Rear Adm. Paul J. Bushong who will talk about the Value of the CNMI and Micronesia to Theater Security; John J. Jackson, director of Joint Guam Program Office Forward, who will talk about what the Record of Decision means for Tinian and the CNMI; Richard Solander, project manager of the Office of Economic Adjustment of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, who will talk about DoD’s role in working with the community.
Mendiola-Long said Solander will also discuss how collaboration with the local community and the military works.
Capt. Peter S. Lynch, commanding officer of the Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas, will talk about updates and opportunities in the Guam military buildup.
Lynch, Jackson and Tom Linden, coordinator of the CNMI Military Integration Management Committee, will host a panel discussion about Tinian’s future role and opportunities available for small businesses.
After lunch, Boris Hetslet, senior counselor of Guam Procurement Technical Assistance Center, will talk about procurement technical assistance and the basics of contracting with the U.S. government.
“This is a big help to businesses and those who are planning to conduct business with the U.S. government,” Mendiola-Long said.
Casey Jeszenka, network director of the Pacific Islands Small Business Development Center, will talk about how SBDC can assist in helping businesses start or expand.
Albert Sampson, small business advisor of NAVFAC Marianas, will talk about small business requirements of the DoD and what businesses need in order to do business with the federal government.
Frank Crisostomo-Kaaihue, director of Guam Veterans Business Outreach Center, will talk about the potential and current opportunities for veteran small business owners to participate in DOD procurement.
Christopher Dunsmore of the Defense Logistics Agency Pacific Guam will talk about opportunities to sell goods and services to the DLA.
Maria Markley, a special agent of the NCISRA Marianas, will talk about the Naval Criminal Investigative Service Resident Agency’s role and responsibilities in the Marianas as well as procurement fraud.
Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, chairman of the Tinian legislative delegation, will wrap up the forum with his closing remarks.
Mendiola-Long said this forum is very important and could go a long way to assist business owners and those planning to do business with the federal government.
“We are inviting the business community to join us because this is your first step to progress,” Mendiola-Long said.
Sponsors for the forum include IT&E, Tan Holdings, Sherman Consulting, Tinian Mayor’s Office, Pernix Group, Knight/McDonough, Fleming Power and Ansley Corp. and Kiewit-Mortenson.
Participants should be at the airport by 6:30 a.m. tomorrow to board the flights to Tinian. Registration for the forum is $25 without lunch, and $45 including lunch. For more information, call 433-2664 or 671-649-4826.
