Native Edge Institutes - Alabama

                 Native Edge Institutes – Poarch Creek, Alabama

Location: Wind Creek Hotel & Casino Atmore  

303 Poarch Rd Atmore, AL 36502

February 6, 2020

9:00 AM:  Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Ron Solimon, Board of Directors, NCAIED 

Chad Marchand – Vice President and CDFI Business Development, NCAIED

Stephanie A. Bryan – Tribal Chair and CEO of The Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Rebecca Naragon – Economic Development Director United South and Eastern Tribes

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM: Navigating the Federal Arena 

Mal McGhee, President and CEO, PCI Aviation

Mal serves as President for PCI Aviation LLC a subsidiary of Ecke Holding Company LLC, which is an economic development arm of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, founded in June of 2016. Mal will walk us through the steps necessary to learn how to navigate the federal arena, focusing on how to build relationships key to PCI Aviation’s success and future, as with many business ventures and learn how to talk with key personnel in procurement positions, representatives and liaison officers, or program managers and engineers to learn more about operations and explore ways to work together to win bid opportunities. 

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM: Small Business Center Assistance 

Yolanda Devine Johnson, Business Advisor - Alabama Small Business Development Center

Learn how The Alabama Small Business Development Center Network (ASBDC) can assist small businesses in strategic statewide effort to provide, inter-institutional programs to enhance economic growth in Alabama by providing management and technical assistance to small businesses. Specialty programs include the Alabama PTAC Program, Alabama International Trade Center, and ASBDC Capital Access Team. Certified business counselors are available in 10 Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) located at our member university partners across the state.

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Procurement Technical Assistance Center, NCAIED PTAC Overview

George Williams, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, NCAIED

Overview of PTAC services how to leverage federal certifications, bid opportunities and free technical assistance for small business owners. 

10:15 AM – 10:30 AM:  Networking Break

10:30 AM – 12:00 Overview of Small Business Contracting and Set-aside Programs and Updates on New Rules and Regulations

John Shoraka, GovContract Pros

This session will train nascent federal contractors regarding the benefits of participating in various small business contracting and set-aside programs. We will review eligibility criteria, affiliation concerns, program benefits, and discussions on how to maintain eligibility. Small Business Contracting Programs to be discussed include the 8(a) Business Development, HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, Women Owned Small Business and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business Programs. And review the New Rules and Regulations. 

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Luncheon: Panel Session of Tribal Enterprises

In this session we will learn about the various Poarch Bank of Creek Indians bid opportunities, forecasts and learn how to do business with various providers. 

· Olena Nall, Director of Business Development, Wind Creek Hospitality 

Ms. Nall will provide an overview of how to work with the Wind Creek Hospitality, requirements, forecast and updates. 

1:00 PM – 1:45 PM: Open: Access to Capital, Suzanne Darden

Suzanne Darden, Finance Specialist Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, at the University of Alabama. 

In this session the SBDC has provided technical assistance to help small businesses secure capital for start-up and growth. Suzanne is a key leader with the SBDC’s Capital Access Program, since 2013. In the last three years, the SBDC has helped secure $318 million in capital projects for manufacturing, healthcare, hospitality, hotel, multi-use residential/retail complexes, and other business projects throughout the state. Suzanne will provide an overview to help participants learn about resources and services offered within the State of Alabama. 

1:45 PM – 2:00 PM: Networking Break

2:00 – 3:00 PM  

Roundtable Discussions: Join us for small group discussions from our expert speakers and local mentors for follow-up questions and in-depth discussions: (Roundtables will cycle in three 20 minute rotating sessions) please sign in at each table 

Roundtable #1) PCI Aviation, Mal McGhee

Roundtable #2) GovContractPros, John Shoraka

Roundtable #3) Procurement Technical Assistance Center, George Williams

Roundtable #4) Alabama PTAC-Jerry Ellison and Gerald Dunlop 

Roundtable #5) Alabama Small Business Development Center Network, Yolanda D. Johnson

3:00 – 4:30 (depending on time could go until 5:00 PM) 

Poarch Band of Creek Indians Economic Development Tour of Community 

Open to the first 37 registered participants, others can follow in their own vehicle, ending at the Community Museum.