FAIRFAX, Va./EWORLDWIRE/April 2, 2009 --- The Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs and AFCEA International will host a three-day educational outreach conference for small businesses on May 12 - 14, 2009, at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. The third annual Navy Blue Coast Small Business Training and Opportunities Conference, Aligning your Business with Tomorrows Navy, provides educational content to small businesses and offers an outreach opportunity for the Department of the Navy, AFCEA, and its member companies. This "conference within a conference" is conveniently co-located with the AFCEA/USNI Joint Warfighting Conference. This unique, inclusive format allows small businesses the opportunity to maximize their time by attending training sessions and participating in a larger conference and exhibition as well.
The Department of the Navy embraces a culture that recognizes the critical role of small business in supporting their objective of "Building the Navy - Marine Corps Force for Tomorrow." The Department of the Navy has a decentralized procurement structure that purchased approximately $93 billion in goods and services during fiscal year 2008. Each of the Department's Contracting Commands is responsible for acquiring the goods and services to fulfill its mission to support the Department of the Navy at sea, in the air, and on land. The Navy has eleven Major Contracting Commands; each with an Associate Director for Small Business Programs that serves as the point of contact for small business procurement opportunities. Representatives from each of these commands are scheduled to attend the conference and participate in the matchmaking sessions.
Department of the Navy speakers include:
. RADM Robert D. Reilly, USN, Commander, Military Sealift Command
. Mr. Timothy Foreman, Director, Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs
. Ms. Oreta Stinson, Deputy Director, Department of the Navy Office of Small Business Programs
. Ms. Susan Burrows, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Naval Supply Systems Command
. Mr. Stanley Daise, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, U.S. Marine Corps
. Ms. Wendy Fletcher, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Office of Naval Research
. Ms. Emily Harman, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Naval Air Systems Command
. Ms. Katherine Rachubinski, Associate Director, Small Business Programs, Naval Inventory Control Point
. Ms. Pansy Reeves, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Strategic Systems Programs
. Mr. Sarkis Tatigian, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Naval Sea Systems Command
. Mr. Brad Taylor, Associate Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Military Sealift Command
. Ms. Veneece McNeley, Deputy Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Naval Facilities and Engineering Command
. Mr. Robert Zaccaria, Deputy Director, Navy Small Business Programs, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command
In addition to Navy Command briefings, subject matter experts will share their views in plenary and panel sessions. Small Business Owners, Business Development Professionals, Large Business Liaison Officers for Small Business, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs), and established companies with interest in pursuing the Navy and other federal government customers are encouraged to attend the conference. There is a special early registration fee available through April 30, 2009. For details and online registration, visit JointWarfighting.org ('http://www.jointwarfighting.org') and click on Navy Blue Coast Conference.
AFCEA International, established in 1946, is a non-profit membership association serving the military, government, industry, and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships in the fields of communications, IT, intelligence, and global security. To learn more about AFCEA International, visit AFCEA.org ('http://www.AFCEA.org').
AFCEA Media Contact
Rachel DeAngelo
(703) 631-6180
rdeangelo@afcea.org
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