The Event Of The Year

BUSINESS EQUALITY CONTRACTING

Nonprofit organizations and for-profit organizations have joined forces to find opportunities for and inclusion of qualified businesses that are considered disadvantaged, small businesses, or owned by minorities (women, LGBTQ+, veterans, African Americans, Asians), concentrating their mission on creating contracting opportunities, potentialization, education, and development of the capacity of these businesses, so that they can take the next step on the long path to becoming entrepreneurs.

That is why in this event, we want to develop the installed capacity of each business.

An Event That Will Include

Identify your capacity and how to build upon it

Credit and corporate structure for effective access to capital 

Free or discounted resources available to you

Certifications and strategic marketing implementation

Understanding Cost accounting and how to plan for growth

Back office essentials and technology

Identifying opportunity and business development

Join us on May 4th

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – 3725 Don Felipe Drive Los Angeles, CA

Our goal is to help these contractors secure contracts worth $1 million or more. This is your chance to learn from industry experts, connect with potential partners and suppliers, and gain the tools and knowledge you need to take your business to the next level.


MEET THE GUEST SPEAKERS

Lou Armstrong

Senior Advisor / Funding Manager / Representing Fidelity

Has been in the Business Development Arena for over 36 years, over 26 years in the Online Marketing Arena: Sales & Customer Service and 3 Years in Pandemic Relief Services.

ANDREA NAVARRETE

CEO and Founder of MINOREA

With over 15 years of entrepreneurial, business development experience and strategic planning to small business. Over 5 years as the CEO and founder of MINOREA.

JOHN GUTIERREZ

Executive Director for SCCGP

With over 16 years of experience in economic development in roles at SCCGP, the Pasadena MBDA Business Center, and the MBDA Business Center in Los Angeles.

SHARON D. COLEMAN

President / Owner Coleman Construction, Inc.

Coleman Construction, Inc. is a 100% minority female-owned and operated business. She is currently certified as a HUBZONE, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Woman Owned Enterprise (WBE) and a Minority Owned Enterprise (MBE).

Carolyn Pistone

Clear Blue Commercial

She is the President and Managing Director at Clear Blue. In addition she serves on the Environmental Committee of the Sonoma County Alliance, and a founding board member of 100 Sonoma People Who Care.

KENNY CAMPBELL

Representing Prime Advisor Inc. & Real Estate investor of Nuvision Property Solutions

He is an expert in factor loan and factor invoicing and is an accomplished business expansion specialist and his company specializes in residential redevelopment that has been featured on HGTV.

RICK DUARTE

Master in Sustainability Leadership / B.S. in Business

He has over 28 years of water engineering, construction, and design experience. He is part of the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and is in charge the SBR for the Business Outreach Program for Metropolitan Water Districts (MWD).

CAROLINA ALVAREZ

CEO of J&S Building Maintenance, Inc.

Founder of J&S Building Maintenance, Inc and J&S Construction Clean Up, Inc. She was named 40 Under 40 Construction Champions of 2020. She was nominated in the LA Business Journal Women’s Leadership 2021. Additionally, J&S Building Maintenance Inc was named WBEC-West supplier of the year and nominated Minority Supplier of the Year 2021 by SCMSDC.

JIM BAISERI

Enterprise Risk Analyst / Business Consultant

Mr. Baiseri is currently engaged as a technical enterprise risk analyst with So Cal Corporate Growth Partners, Inc., the operators of the Minority Business Development Agency, an Agency of the U.S.He is also a senior officer of Execupro Associates, Inc.

NICOLAS BARRIOS

Community Economic Department Manager for the Los Angeles – BuildLACCD

Nicolas graduated from CSUN with Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. And he has been providing community economic development outreach for Los Angeles based construction and professional service contractors for twelve years.

Josie Sandi

Career service member and the Co-Founder of Emphasis.LA

She is representing the United States Veterans Business Alliance (USVBA) where she serves the Los Angeles Chapter’s community of veteran entrepreneurs. Josie holds a Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) from USC Marshall and a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from CSUN.

RICK RONQUILLO

Master Body Language Programmer / International Speaker & Trainer / Performance Coach / Nonverbal Communications Expert

Rick has a unique and powerful ability that is proven by sound scientific research and studies, the art and science of Body Languages, also known as non-verbal communication. He has traveled to exciting places, meeting and learning from masters, coaches and international experts while training thousands of people from all over the world at the Robbins Research Co.

Chamberlain Duru

Diverse Business Manager in California for Burns & McDonnell

Chamberlain has nearly two decades of experience across a variety of industries. In this role, he helps advance a diverse supplier base, develop key client relationships, assist with proposal development and marketing campaigns as well as the support of government relations and project execution with a focus on growth.

Juan Garcia

PG Cutting Services / President / CEO / Professional Background

PG Cutting Services is a minority owned specialty contractor offering saw cutting, coring, scanning, and selective demolition services. Juan and the PG Cutting team is committed to paying the success forward by giving back to the community in various forms. “Our most valuable asset is our people”, Garcia said.

Leslie D. Crumb

Procurement Business Development Specialist at Chicanos Por La Causa

Assisting minority small businesses to enter government contracting. She holds a Political Science BA from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and a MA in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University.

DJ Danni Marie

DJ Danni Marie’s career began as a student at Famous DJ Academy with renowned DJ Brandon Vasquez in 2021

Her love for music and passion for community service led DJ Danni Marie to DJing the Rising Stars 2022 Halloween Event, where she received an award from the East Los Angeles Sheriff’s Station!  DJ Danni Marie also recently DJ’ed at the Boys & Girls Club Teen Center Gala in Pico Rivera, California! 

Marta Valenzuela

National Director of Business Development at Modern Times, Inc.

As subject matter expert with over five years of experience implementing and using the B2Gnow system, Martha was a highly successful project and program manager. Applying her certification and compliance expertise to implement the software at large public and private sector agencies across the country.

Harry Schuit

CEO/President of CPA, MBA, CFE

Representing Gordon Frasier CPA & Company Inc. Is a  California licensed  Certified Public Accountant and holds a Masters  of Business Administration Degree.  Harry specializes in Business Tax Accounting and Long Term Business Strategy.

Miguel Zapien

Representing Fintech. Skilled in Communication, Administration, English, SAP ERP, and QuickBooks.

Experienced Accounts Receivable Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the consumer electronics industry. Strong accounting professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration – BBA focused in Accounting from California State University, Long Beach. 

ALFREDO VALDEZ

President of American Safety Group

Provides elite Safety Construction Management. We promote a “zero-incident safety culture.” Alfredo brings over 17 years’ experience in environmental, health and safety consulting, management and safety critical roles across the US on heavy civil construction projects with strong experience in tunneling.

Craig Howard

Certification Specialist at CFR & Associates

He has held a variety of positions with manufacturing companies with experience in Assembly, Manufacturing Control, Materials Procurement and Quality Control & Assurance. Now, he leads a team of specialists for CFR & Associates while moving into the business development aspect.

Anna “Queen” Tutt

CEO of Queen Tutt Enterprises Inc.

Anna “Queen” Tutt has been in the Real Estate industry for over 14 years assisting Sellers, Buyers, and investors with their Real Estate needs. She has facilitated several home buying workshops to educate homeowners, buyers, and Estate Planning Seminars with a team.

Sarah Hosman

Queen of Operations and Growth for LongShip Systems LLC

Business Coach/ Copywriter/ StoryBrand/ Marketing Automation/ Membership Builder. Sarah Hosman is known as “The Business Mom” at LongShip Systems. She has extensive and expert knowledge of tools like Keap, Active Campaign, ClickFunnels, Go High Level, Sharpspring, unbounce.

Nkosana Peebles

Representing SAGE, // Global Channel Sales Manager ” Leveraging Cloud Technology to Strengthen Strategic Partnerships

Inspirational “Thought Leader” Sales and Marketing Professional.  “Visionary” business consultant who consistently exceeds organizational goals with a strong commitment to increasing revenue, promoting brand recognition, and providing business solutions for improvement.

Mr. D’Angelo V. McCornell

International Award-winning Creator and Film Director

He received his Bachelor’s Degree of Business Administration and he completed his Master’s Degree in Film at ArtCenter College of Design. Mr. McCornell transforms Small Businesses, Corporate Businesses, and Non-Profit Organizations through digital innovation with Next Level 24/7.

Teresa Maxwell

Representing Skanska USA Civil / Modern Times INC.

Teresa Maxwell has 20 years of experience in the heavy/civil construction industry, currently the DBE Compliance Officer for Skanska Civil West managing subcontractor and workforce diversity. Teresa is managing DBE programs with current project teams having awarded over $800 million and counting to DBE’s.

Paul  McMglynn

Group Property Development and Facilities Manager, FMP

Experienced business leader specializing in forming and executing new business strategies. Heavy experience in negotiations, marketing, business development, and employee productivity. currently is Responsible for Procurement, Real Estate, Construction, and Facility Management.

Michael Aguillio

Chief of the Outreach Branch with the California Department of Transportation in the Office of Civil Rights

Michael Aguillio representing Caltrans // Chairman for Sacramento Public Agency Consortium, San Joaquin Public Agency Consortium, Diversity Inclusion Outreach; Small Business, Disabled Veteran Business and Diversity Inclusion Outreach Liaison for the State of California 

Cynthia Deleon

Business Specialist Representing Callifornia Department of Rehabilitation Norwalk Branch Office  

Cynthia has over 25 years of work experience, having served 4 years in the US Navy as a Data Analyst, 16 years in defense contracting holding various positions and 3 years in state service with the Department of State Hospitals-Norwalk and California Lottery.

Karla Daniels

CEO of Policy Star Insurance Solutions

Policy Star Insurance Solutions is a full service MBE/WBE certified  insurance brokerage. She works closely with small business owners by assisting them with procuring equitable insurance coverages. She loves serving and helping people win contracts!

Italia Avila

Natural Resources Business Development Lead

Ms. Avila has provided natural resource and environmental consulting services for her clients for over 20 years. Ms. Avila is active in numerous environmental professional organizations as a committee member, board member, and in leadership.

Tawnya Rizzotto

Regional Business Specialist for the Department of Rehabilitation Greater Los Angeles District Office

With a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy from California State University and an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. With 19 years of experience working for the State of California. As a Regional Business Specialist, Tawnya leads a team of Business Specialists by providing analytical support and training relating to employment activities.

Why Become A Sponsor Of The Event?

You will be demonstrating your support, contributing to the growth and development of social and economically disadvantaged businesses in the construction industry


Sponsorships Pricing Packages

Check our list of packages below. You can choose the one that interests you the most, based on your expectations for the development of our event and the level of exposure your business could have.