About
Small Business Administration Industrial Specialist Liaison
October 2020- Present
409 3° Street SWW
Washington, D.C.
Supervising Industrial Projects Liaison
Supervisor, MEP Cybersecurity Program – Small Defense Industrial Base
Provided strategic division leadership by delivering hands-on technical and business support to strengthen the manufacturing supply chain.
Oversaw the collection, management, and dissemination of cybersecurity information for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), benefiting over 1,000 small businesses within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) through webinars, online sessions, and live training events.
Served as the primary liaison between MEP and its centers, working closely with NIST MEP and various MEP centers to facilitate working groups and coordinate efforts with 55 state and county Economic Business Development Centers.
Managed external industry experts and coordinated engagements with more than 100 Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) suppliers and customers worldwide.
Developed and implemented a national initiative to raise awareness and support U.S. manufacturers in protecting their information assets from cyberattack risks.
As an SBA.gov Liaison for the Mentor-Protégé Program,
I played a key role in assisting small businesses—particularly Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs), Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSBs), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), HUBZone businesses, and organizations employing severely disabled individuals—in overcoming technical capability gaps that often hinder their ability to secure subcontracting opportunities with prime contractors.
My focus was on increasing participation in the program by providing education, guidance, and collaboration opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of these small businesses in the defense marketplace. I worked to develop high-quality subcontracting pools, strengthen technical capabilities, and help businesses pursue new market opportunities through strategic mentorship.
Additionally, I supported protégés in leveraging non-competitive subcontracts, gaining source selection past performance advantages, and obtaining cost reimbursement or small business contracting credits. My efforts contributed to bridging the gap between small businesses and prime contractors, fostering a more diverse and resilient defense supplier base.