U.S. DOT Gulf Region Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Small Business Contracting Symposium

8:00AM – 8:45AM Registration & Networking

8:45AM – 9:50AM Opening Session

Welcome Remarks

• Tony Arps, Project Director, U.S. DOT Gulf Region SBTRC
• Marvin Jackson, President, North Texas Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)

Special Remarks

Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Department of Transportation (Video)

Greetings

• Don Cravins, Jr., Undersecretary of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency
• Rick Ortiz, President, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Leonardo San Roman, Acting Director, U.S. DOT OSDBU

Speakers

• Ted James, Region VI Administrator, SBA

• Nadine Lee, President & Chief Executive Officer, DART

9:50AM – 10:00AM Transition to Morning Breakout Sessions

10:00AM – 10:50AM Morning Breakout Sessions (Concurrent Sessions)

Session 1: Highway Panel 

In this breakout session, information will be provided about the technical assistance offered by state DOTs, along with how Federal transportation funds are awarded to state, county, municipal and other public entities to fund infrastructure projects.

MODERATOR: Renee Watson, Director Small Business & Entrepreneurship Department Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Liaison Officer (DBELO), Bexar County

PANELISTS:

• Edward Ofori, Texas Deputy Division Administrator, FHWA
• Paula Merrick Roddy, Compliance Programs Director, LADOT

• LaTashia Thompson, Assistant Division Manager for Contract Compliance Division, ODOT

Aviation Panel

Learn how to do business with airports and also learn strategies about business development.  In addition, workplace safety and security protocols at airports will be highlighted.  Attendees will learn of funding for infrastructure projects provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

MODERATOR:Helen Callier, President, Bradlink LLC

PANELISTS:

• Jesse Carriger, Office of Airports, Texas Airports District Office Manager & BIL Implementation
• Ron Duncan, Assistant Vice President, Procurement & Materials     Management, DFW Airport

• Mike Edwards, Director of Aviation, Baton Rouge Louisiana Metropolitan Airport

Transit Panel 

Learn how to do business with transit authorities and also learn strategies about business development.  In addition, workplace safety and security protocols on rail lines will be highlighted.  Attendees will learn of funding for infrastructure projects provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

MODERATOR: TBD

PANELISTS:

• Gail Lyssy, Region VI Administrator, FTA
• Brad Cummins, Executive Vice President, DART                                                                                     

10:50AM – 11:00AM Transition to Panel Discussion

11:00AM – 11:50AM Panel Discussion

Access to Capital

Learn how the SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) lends low-cost, government-backed capital to private equity funds to invest in U.S. small businesses.  Financial industry professionals will also provide information on securing a business loan through various financial instruments.

MODERATOR: Samuel J. Boyd Jr., Director – Access to Capital Initiative, DOT-OSDBU

PANELISTS:

• Byron Terwege, Head of Leasing, Texas Capital Bank
• Tafara Jhamba, Chief Operating Officer, Founders’ Impact, Inc.
• Vince Foster, Managing Director, Mainstreet Capital, Houston, TX
• Herbert Austin, District Director, SBA Dallas-Fort Worth District Office

11:50AM – 12:00PM Transition to Lunch

12:00PM – 12:50PM Lunch

(Lunch secured by the Gulf SBTRC and sponsored by COMTO)

SPEAKERS:

• Gail Lyssy, Region VI Administrator, Federal Transit Administration (FAA)                     
• Smitha Radhakrishnan, Vice President of Planning, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

1:00PM – 1:10PM Transition to Afternoon Breakout Sessions

1:10PM – 2:00PM Afternoon Breakout Sessions (Concurrent Sessions)

Electric/Autonomous Vehicles     

This breakout session will provide information on how various states are using funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to install electric vehicle charging stations along the roadways.

Michael Chamberlain, Director of Data Management, TxDOT

Minority Business Development Agency      

This breakout session will provide an overview of the industry-focused services the MBDA provides to MBE businesses, which provides MBEs greater access to capital, contracts, and markets.

Raymond Cervantes, Director, Dallas MBDA

Community Development Financial Institutions Program (CDFI)

MODERATOR: Christina Brooks, Chief Equity Officer and Director of the Diversity of the Diversity & Inclusion, City of Fort Worth

PANELISTS:

• Mark Pinsky, Principal and Co-Founder, CDFI Friendly America
• Andy Williams, CEO and Founder, Rehab Warriors and CDFI Friendly Fort Worth
• Jeff Postel, President and CEO, Post-L Group

Learn how CDFIs play an important role in generating economic growth and opportunity for small businesses through their numerous financial services (loans).  Also learn CDFIs’ role in generating economic growth in some of our nation's most distressed communities.

 

2:00PM – 2:10PM Transition to Panel Discussion

2:10PM – 3:00PM Panel Discussion

Marketing to Prime Contractors

Learn how to pursue, bid, and win procurement opportunities with large prime contractors.  Attendees will receive information regarding how funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) are flowing to infrastructure projects.

MODERATOR:Marvin Jackson, President, North Texas Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO)

PANELISTS:

• Mat Smyth, Estimate, Archer Western
• Mike Landen, Chief Estimator, Austin Bridge & Road
• Adrienne Williams, Regional Director of Diversity, McCarthy Construction
• Kelli Kelly, Director of Business Development & Strategy, Kiewit

3:00PM – 4:00PM Exhibitor Expo