SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES · Radio and Televisionn; induction into the NATAS Silver Circle, the Emmy Award Hall of Fame by the National Capital/Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy

2012 ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL AND LEADERSHIP CONFERENCEST. REGIS HOTEL, WASHINGTON DC, FEBRUARY 4-7, 2012

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES

ANIRBAN BASUABC 703.812.2062 | [email protected]

Anirban Basu is Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) chief economist. His pri-mary responsibility is to provide ABC members with timely, comprehensive analyses on important trends in the U.S. commercial and industrial construction industry. He produces ABC’s Construction Backlog Indicator (CBI) which is based on a monthly survey of various ABC members and measures work to be performed by contractors to assess the health of the construction industry.

In addition, he produces the one-page, economic news report Construction Econom-ic Update, with analysis of one or a combination of the following federal government economic indicators including construction spending, employment, producer price index and gross domestic product. Basu also writes a monthly article for Construction Executive magazine.

Basu is Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore, Maryland. He is one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most recognizable economists, in part because of his consulting work on behalf of nu-merous clients, including prominent developers, bankers, brokerage houses, energy suppliers and law firms.

Saturday, Feb 4,1:00 pm

Will this recession ever end?An economic update from

ABC Chief Economist

JEAN BAXLEYKPMG 202.533.3008 | [email protected]

Jean is a tax director in KPMG’s Washington National Tax practice where she advises insurance companies, manufacturers, and construction entities on federal tax issues, and represents companies in controversies with the IRS. She also keeps companies up-to-date regarding tax developments relevant to the insurance industry, insurance products, and alternative risk arrangements. Jean joined KPMG in 2011.

Jean has advised many insurance companies, manufacturers, and construction com-panies on insurance tax issues and risk transfer arrangements. Some of her recent projects have included pursuing a private ruling regarding whether an obligor com-pany is an insurance company for federal income tax purposes, assisting companies in responding to IRS information document requests (IDRs) regarding federal excise taxes (FET) on premiums paid to foreign insurers, counseling a “captive” reinsurer in determining the best method for meeting its capital requirements, and analyzing whether various insurance-related products constitute “insurance” for federal income tax purpose.

Monday, Feb 6, 4:00 pm

Get all that you deserveThe anomalies of construction

company tax law

SHEILA BROOKSSRB Communications [email protected]

Sheila Brooks is an Emmy-award-winning journalist, entrepreneur, and dedicated ad-vocate for minority and women’s issues and small businesses. Ms. Brooks is founder, president and CEO of SRB Communications, LLC, a full-service multimedia communi-cations agency and post-production facility in Washington, DC. Celebrating 22 years in business, the agency specializes in social marketing, multicultural advertising and broadcast production. SRB Communications helps clients develop their brand, posi-tioning and strategies in creative campaigns through cross-platform media formats in broadcast, print and multimedia. Ms. Brooks is an expertin entrepreneurial education and minority business issues.

Prior to starting her firm in 1990, Ms. Brooks built a distinguished television career as a news director, reporter, anchor, and documentary producer at CBS, NBC, PBS and Fox owned-and-operated and affiliate TV stations across the country. Her more than 33 years in the television and communications industry has garnered several awards, including 42 national Telly Awards, a national Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Televisionn; induction into the NATAS Silver Circle, the Emmy Award Hall of Fame by the National Capital/Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences; two local Emmy Awards, and four local Emmy nominations.


Sweaty Palms & Dry Throat?Make media interviews and public speaking the funnest thing you do

KATHERINE M. BREAKSKPMG 202.533.4578 | [email protected]

Katherine is a tax managing director in KPMG’s Washington National Tax practice where she advises companies on federal energy tax incentives. She also advises com-panies on the impact of federal tax legislation and associated guidance. Katherine joined KPMG in 1998. Katherine has advised dozens of companies on energy tax credits and the federal renewable energy grant program. This work has included assisting companies in developing tax-efficient investment structures, including:

• Advising on transactions involving the so-called “flip structure”• Performing due diligence reviews• Providing risk assessments• Preparing tax opinions• Reviewing financial models• Providing general federal income tax advice

Her recent projects have included providing due diligence services in connection with $2 billion solar project, including reviewing tax components of financial model, and providing cost segregation services to one of the largest wind developers in the U.S.


Get all that you deserveThe anomalies of construction

company tax law

CARRIE L. CILIBERTO, ESQ.AGC/ConsensusDocs 703.837.5367 | [email protected]

Carrie L. Ciliberto is the Director and Counsel of Contracts and Construction Law, for The Associated General Contractors of America. AGC is the leading national construc-tion trade association representing all facets of commercial and industrial construc-tion for both public and private entities including commercial, heavy, highway and municipal building projects. Ms. Ciliberto also holds the dual title of Deputy Executive Director and Counsel for ConsensusDocs LLC. ConsensusDocs are the first and only standard construction contracts written and endorsed by 35 leading design and con-struction industry organizations.

Ms. Ciliberto was the founder and principal of Ciliberto & Associates, LLC, a Colorado law firm, whose practice concentrated in natural resources, environmental and land use law including water rights, quality, and valuation; federal, state, and local envi-ronmental permitting and compliance; real estate law emphasizing commercial and residential project development including zoning, permitting, and regulation compli-ance; and related litigation work. Her clients included municipalities, special districts, corporations, banks, developers, ditch companies, investment groups and private individuals.

Saturday, Feb 4, 4:00 pm

Save $$ and headachesThe Construction Industry rolls out

new contract documents

MARY CANTANDOWoman’s Advantage 919.841.0401 | [email protected]

Mary Cantando’s mission is to help women build multimillion-dollar businesses. She has founded and led multimillion-dollar businesses for over 20 years and delights in helping other women do that as well.

A keynote speaker at regional, national, and international events, Mary has written four books each containing ground-breaking ideas for women entrepreneurs. She also produces the wildly successful Woman’s Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar. She has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Oprah’s “O Magazine”, “Entrepre-neur Magazine”, and hundreds of TV and radio shows.

An advocate for women, Mary is honored to serve as an Envoy of the US State Dept to help women in developing countries start and grow their own businesses. She also serves as a Trustee of The Women’s Alliance, a Chapter Chair for the Women Presi-dents’ Organization and the Growth Advisor of Women Entrepreneurs’ Inc.

A mother, grandmother, and self-proclaimed “high-maintenance wife,” Mary lives in Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband who she refers to as “Saint John” for put-ting up with her for over 40 years!

Monday, Feb 6,11:00 am

Yes, it’s true – women entrepreneurs DO have

an advantageLearn how to use it!

LAURA MANN EYESTERSBA [email protected]

Laura Eyester is a Senior Attorney in the Office of General Counsel’s Office of Procure-ment Law at the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA or Agency). She serves as a legal advisor to the Agency officials and their staffs with respect to the Agency’s Gov-ernment Contracting programs, including the small business set-aside, subcontracting and Certificate of Competency programs; the HUBZone program; the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs; the Women-Owned Small Business program; the Size Standards program; 8(a) Business Develop-ment program; and SBA’s internal contracting procedures. Ms. Eyester also represents the Agency in matters before the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Hearings and Appeals (OHA). She has been a lawyer in SBA’s Office of General Counsel since 1998, and served briefly as the Acting Executive Director for the National Women’s Business Council from June 2001 through September 2002.

Prior to joining the SBA, she was a government contracts attorney for a boutique law firm in Virginia where she counseled clients on procurement matters and litigated government contract and other matters before the GAO, Fourth Circuit Court of Ap-peals, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, district court, OHA, and board of contract appeals. She began her career in government contracts with the U.S. Department of the Navy where served as a legal advisor on various government contract matters, including the A-12 litigation.

Monday, Feb 6, 8:00 am

Quest for the Holy GrailMyths and facts about

SBA’s programs for woman entrepreneurs

CHRISTINE DEMASFt. Detrick Business Development Office 301.620.707 | [email protected]

Christine Demas serves at the Director of the Fort Detrick Business Development Of-fice (FDBDO). She has held this position since April 2010. Ms. Demas is an entrepre-neur with extensive experience domestically and internationally in strategic market-ing, and business development in the wireless and aviation industries. Ms. Demas held positions with both Hughes Network Systems and the Air Transport Association before starting her own company, Blue Sky, Inc, which she sold in 2008. Since then she has worked in positions that support the mission at Fort Detrick. In addition to her career experience and accomplishments, Ms. Demas has contributed significantly to volunteer efforts.

She was instrumental in bring SCORE to Frederick County (SCORE, Counselors to America’s small business) and is the immediate past chair of the Frederick SCORE chapter. She also serves on the Frederick County Agricultural Business Council, the Frederick County Workforce Development Council and is on the Board of Directors for both the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and the Friends of Meals on Wheels. In 2006 the United States Army honored Ms. Demas with the Commander’s Medal for Public Service for her work as a Family Readiness Group Leader for the 6th Brigade, 80th Division of the US Army, a position she held from 2005 to 2006.


So you want a government contract

Ten tips on how to make that happen from those who make the decisions

CAROLINE L. HARRISUS Chamber of Commerce 202.887.3441 | [email protected]

Caroline L. Harris is chief tax counsel and executive director of tax policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She directs the development, promotion, and publication of the Chamber’s policy on tax-related matters.

She analyzes tax legislation, other legislation with revenue-raising provisions, and tax reform proposals, and submits comments, Hill letters, and testimony to Congress and regulatory agencies. Harris routinely meets with members of Congress and their staffs, the administration, and regulatory agencies to promote the Chamber’s tax policy.

Harris also frequently speaks to business leaders, local chambers of commerce, other trade associations, and member companies to educate them on the Chamber’s tax policy priorities and current legislative outlook. She regularly meets with Chamber members to assess what provisions affect their businesses.

In addition, Harris publicizes the Chamber’s tax policy through media communica-tions with the Dow Jones and the Financial Times. She contributes opinion pieces in notable newspapers, such as The Washington Post and The Washington Times and comments on tax policy on national television networks, including Bloomberg and Fox Business. She also contributes to the U.S. Chamber’s monthly magazine and publishes a monthly column in Tax Notes. Harris serves as the Committee Executive for the Chamber’s Taxation Committee and represents the Chamber on the Steering Commit-tee of several national tax coalitions.

Caroline L. Harris is chief tax counsel and executive director of tax policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She directs the development, promotion, and publication of the Chamber’s policy on tax-related matters.

She analyzes tax legislation, other legislation with revenue-raising provisions, and tax reform proposals, and submits comments, Hill letters, and testimony to Congress and regulatory agencies. Harris routinely meets with members of Congress and their staffs, the administration, and regulatory agencies to promote the Chamber’s tax policy.

Harris also frequently speaks to business leaders, local chambers of commerce, other trade associations, and member companies to educate them on the Chamber’s tax policy priorities and current legislative outlook. She regularly meets with Chamber members to assess what provisions affect their businesses.

In addition, Harris publicizes the Chamber’s tax policy through media communications with the Dow Jones and the Financial Times. She contributes opinion pieces in notable newspapers, such as The Washington Post and The Washington Times and comments on tax policy on national television networks, including Bloomberg and Fox Business. She also contributes to the U.S. Chamber’s monthly magazine and publishes a monthly column in Tax Notes. Harris serves as the Committee Executive for the Chamber’s Taxation Committee and represents the Chamber on the Steering Committee of several national tax coalitions.

Harris is admitted to the District of Columbia Bar. She is a member of the American Bar Association and its Tax Section. Harris received a B.A. in economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and her J.D. from The George Washington University School of Law. She received a Master of Laws in Taxation, with distinction, from the Georgetown University Law Center. Harris hails from Philadelphia and currently resides on Capitol Hill with her husband, Ethan.

1615 H Street, NWWashington, DC 20062202-463-5406 www.uschamber.com

Caroline L. HarrisChief Tax Counsel and Executive Director of Tax Policy U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Rev. Aug. 2011

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.


Flat, VAT or SplatHow are taxes likely to change?

DEBORAH L. FRETTBPW Foundation 202.777.8911 | [email protected]

Deborah Frett joined Business and Professional Women’s Foundation (BPW) Founda-tion as CEO in May 2005. Frett is an accomplished executive with over 30 years of experience providing strategic direction and executive management to associations, for-profit and start-up organizations. As CEO, she is a frequent speaker and panelist on the creation of successful workplaces, providing expertise in the areas of work-force development, workplace policy, job readiness and the transition of women veterans as they pertain to working women and businesses.

Frett engages in policy discussions and is an advocate for women veterans, green job development and redefining the workplace to meet the needs of working women in the 21st century. She has testified before congressional and administration panels and served as an expert for key briefings on issues impacting working women, fami-lies, Gen Y women, and veterans. A creative leader, she has demonstrable experience ensuring that working women are included in today’s marketplace.

Under her leadership, BPW Foundation conducted the first research on the challenges facing women veterans in their transition from military to civilian careers and hosted the Inaugural Joining Forces for Women Veterans National Summit. Most recently the organization launched the Joining Forces for Women Veteran’s Mentorship Program.

Saturday, Feb 4, 11:30 amWho is this Generation Y?

And how can I build my company with employees that

are so different?

Y. LISA COLON HERONSmith, Currie & Hancock 404.521.3800 | [email protected]

Y. LISA COLON HERON is an associate with Smith Currie & Hancock. Lisa is Board Certified inConstruction Law by the Florida Bar. Lisa represents contractors, suppli-ers, owners, design professionals, construction managers and sureties in public and private real estate and construction disputes. Lisa has experience in a wide range of construction disputes ranging from lien law, contract disputes, government contract-ing, bid protests and mistakes, Miller Act bonds, surety, condominium construction, licensing and arbitration. Lisa is deeply immersed in matters relating to small and disadvantaged business enterprises.

She is a former fellow with the American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Industry. She has lectured on a variety of real estate and construction industry topics including construction contracts, construction insurance issues, construction lien law, public bidding, small business certifications and ethics. Lisa received her B.A. degree from the University of Miami and her J.D., cum laude, from the University Of Miami School Of Law. Lisa served as an Article and Comments editor on the International and Comparative Law Review. In 1997 she interned with the Late Honorable C. Cylde Atkins, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. While in law school she spent two summers at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados and interned with Chancery Chambers, Barbados in 1998. She is the president of the South Florida Chapter of National Association of Minority Contractors. Lisa is also a board member of the National Association of Minority Contractors and sits on the executive committee.


Hate or love ‘em, attourneys always have a place

at your tableLearn the latest in construction

and employment law

SUSAN HECKER, CPCUS Gallagher Construction Services Inc. 415.288.1627 | [email protected]

usan Hecker is Area Executive Vice-President and an Account Executive in the Surety Department of Gallagher Construction Services in San Francisco, California, a wholly owned subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Company.

In addition to her account executive and management roles within Gallagher, Ms. Hecker is responsible for facilitating surety nationally, including mergers and acquisi-tions and maintaining national surety relationships.

Prior to joining Gallagher in 1997 Ms. Hecker spent 20 years with a Top 10 surety op-eration, departing as the Surety Center Manager for the company’s regional flagship surety operation in San Francisco.

She attained her CPCU designation in 1989. Within the construction industry, Ms. Hecker is a charter member of the CFMA, a member of the Beavers, a Producer Advi-sory Board Member for Liberty Mutual Surety and is a Board Director of the NASBP, where she is Chair of the Government Relations Committee and currently serving as Ex-Officio on the Executive Committee. She is also a member of EUCA, in addition to serving on the Fiscal, Insurance and Risk Management Committee of the AGC. Ms. Hecker has written several articles, spoken often to construction industry groups on the surety prequalification process, in addition to representing the surety industry on various panel discussions.


Everything you ever wanted to know about surety bonds

And more!

JENI KLUGMANWorld Bank 202.473.9589 | [email protected]

Jeni Klugman is the Director, Gender and Development, The World Bank. Prior to taking up this position in August 2011, Jeni was the director and lead author of the three global Human Development Reports published by the United Nations Devel-opment Programme, on human mobility (2009), pathways to human development (2010) and equity and sustainability (2011). She first joined the World Bank in 1992, focusing in particular on poverty, inequality and human development in low income countries in Africa, Europe and Asia.

She has published a number of books, paper and reports on topics ranging from pov-erty reduction strategies and labour markets to conflict, health reform, education and decentralization. Her current activities include membership of the World Economic Forum’s Global Advisory Council on Benchmarking Progress and Advisory Board on Sustainability and Competitiveness, and she is a fellow of the Human Development and Capabilities Association.

She holds a PhD in Economics from the Australian National University. She also has graduate degrees in development economics, as well as in law, from Oxford University where she was a Rhodes Scholar.


How does the US stack up in the Global Gender Gap

An analysis of gender equality and development from the 2012 World

Development Report

MICHELLE KANTORMcDonald Hopkins 312.642.6482 | [email protected]

Michelle Kantor heads up the Construction Law practice group in the Chicago office of McDonald Hopkins LLC. Michelle has more than 24 years experience practicing in government contracting, construction, mechanics’ lien law and litigation. She represents prime contractors, suppliers, subcontractors, design professionals, manu-facturers, technology companies, fabricators, consultants and owners in all procure-ment and construction related matters including, Federal regulatory compliance, mechanic’s liens, bid protests, warranty and design liability claims, bond claims, delay claims, payment disputes, regulatory violations, building, LEED and green energy code compliance and other business related disputes. She also acts as general counsel to companies regarding corporate and other legal needs.

Michelle has assisted clients in numerous Mentor Protégé submissions including SBA 8(a), FAA,DHS, GSA and V.A programs. Michelle also assists clients in FAR interpreta-tion and compliance. Michelle is also an accredited attorney for the preparation and prosecution veteran’s benefits claims before the Department of Veterans Affairs. Mi-chelle assists clients in Federal, State and local government contracting and procure-ment, SBA 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB & EDWOSB, DBE, MBE/WBE and small business (SB) certifications and appeals. She assists clients in Federal and State government Mentor-Protégé submissions, Mentor-Protégé agreements and diversity supplier programs. Michelle prepares and negotiates Joint Venture and Teaming Agreements, construction and design professional agreements and other commercial and government project agreements.




and employment law

ELISABETH D. KOZLOWSiegfried Rivera Lerner 954.781.1134 | [email protected]

Elisabeth D. Kozlow is a shareholder at Siegfried, Rivera, Lerner, De La Torre and Sobel, P.A. She specializes in construction contracts, construction liens and related disputes, bond claims, and construction and DBE licensing matters. She also provides corporate and real estate consultation to many of her firm’s construction clients.

Ms. Kozlow completed her undergraduate studies at DePaul University and earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami.She was admitted to the Florida Bar (US District Court, Southern District of Florida) in 1988. Ms. Kozlow is also admit-ted to the Illinois Bar.

As an industry specialist, Ms. Kozlow is frequently invited to speak at seminars and symposiums. She has lectured to the construction and retail industries in the areas of construction contracts, construction liens and bond claims. She is an active member in several construction organizations, including ABC (Associated Building Contractors) and CASF (Construction Association of South Florida).




and employment law

IRA KORETSKY, THE CHIEF STORYTELLER ®Chief Story Teller 301.718.8368 | [email protected]

“Think deliberately.” The mantra of a person who has made improving communica-tions his life’s work.

For more than 23 years nationally and internationally, Ira has been building his com-munication skills into a well-honed set of precision instruments. Within minutes, he will forever change the way you communicate. His most pivotal experience was serv-ing as a public affairs officer in the United States Army Medical Service Corps. Trained in giving and preparing presentations for military and civilian executives, he gained invaluable insights into messaging, communications, and storytelling.

Living on both coasts, Ira has held various leadership roles in marketing and product management. After earning his MBA from the University of Maryland in 2000, Ira entered into the world of leading edge technology. It was while working in San Fran-cisco and Silicon Valley he began to adapt his skills for use with the new, technology-driven tools today’s professionals have come to rely on.

Ira is an active blogger and writer, was a guest columnist for the Washington Busi-ness Journal, and an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland. He helped the American Diabetes Association® develop its national sponsorship message, a US government contracting firm win a $94 million multi-year project, and The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) develop a unified set of communication materials that generate action with community health leaders.


You only have 30 seconds to make a first impression

Make those seconds count

GLORIA BERTHOLD LARKINTargetGov 866.579.1346 | [email protected]

Gloria Berthold Larkin is president of Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. (MOA) and its division, TargetGov. The TargetGov division focuses on government procure-ment and related business development and marketing services including Capability Statements, minority certification services, contract development (GSA Schedules, etc), business development, proposal management and development, contract adminis-tration and expert federal contracting services The parent company, MOA, provides corporate business development and marketing- related services including current customer analysis to determine profitability, client profiling, targeted prospect iden-tification and list development, database, marketing plan and strategy development, graphic design, marketing communications and calendar development and execution.

She is author of the NEW “The Basic Guide to Government Contracting: How to Sell Your Services and Products to the U.S. Federal Government” and “The Veterans Busi-ness Guide: How to Build a Successful Government Contracting Business”, now in the third printing! Gloria also created the Government Business Development Series of Audio CDs and Toolkits focusing on business development processes for the US Federal Government and military. Her articles regarding business development have been published in local, regional, national and international publications.

Gloria is a U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2010 Women in Business Champion and was one of Enterprising Women Magazine’s 2010 Enterprising Women of the Year’s honorees. She serves on the National Governing Board for Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP).

Sunday, Feb 5, 9:00 am

Contracting Officers are people too

Just because you want a government contract don’t think

you can ignore marketing

MARISSA LEVINInformation Experts [email protected]

Marissa Levin founded her first company Information Experts, a global strategic communications and education firm, in 1995. She launched her firm with no outside funding after working for a man that capped her annual net worth at $34,000. 17 years later, Information Experts is forecasting $20 million for 2012. Marissa has led her firm through the implosion of the telecom and internet industries (her initial two primary markets), 9/11 terrorist attacks which shut down the DC business region, two recessions, one government shut-down, the collapse of the auto, finance, & housing markets, and two cancer scares - while raising two sons as a hands-on mom.

As CEO of Information Experts, Marissa leads the effort to define, shape, and evange-lize the organization’s values, mission, vision, growth strategy, brand, and corporate culture. Marissa has led the organization’s entry into the federal market to achieve a sizeable presence in 17 agencies, while maintaining a strong presence in the com-mercial market. Under her leadership, Information Experts has won more than 90 awards for creativity & leadership, was named to the Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Companies for 2009, 2010, and 2011, and won the SmartCEO 2010 GovStar Industry Star Award.




and employment law

DENISE RODRIGUEZ-LOPEZ, ESQ.The KMJ Company 703.501.5869 | [email protected]

Denise, an Attorney and native of New York City is the President of her own federal procurement consulting business, The KMJ Company (KMJ). KMJ is dedicated to con-necting businesses, especially small, disadvantaged and minority firms with federal contracting opportunities. KMJ helps those businesses interested in getting started in federal procurement as well as enhancing the opportunities of firms already in busi-ness with the federal government. She participates actively as a speaker at business and diversity events. Denise serves as a procurement and teaming advisor to Ameri-can Express OPEN, and travels across the nation on behalf of American Express OPEN talking to small businesses about American Express OPEN Teaming USA, a joint initia-tive between American Express and the non-profit organization Business Matchmak-ing, Inc., that encourages teaming among small businesses to increase their procure-ment capacity and opportunities.

Before forming KMJ, Denise served as the Director of the Office of Small and Dis-advantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). In this capacity, Denise implemented the policies of the Secretary of Transporta-tion to ensure that small businesses (including 8(a), veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, disadvantaged and women-owned businesses) had an equitable opportunity to participate in DOT direct funded and assisted transportation-related contracts and subcontracts at the local, state and federal levels. She provided leadership to outreach activities for DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, and educated small businesses about the opportunities available to them throughout DOT and the federal government.


So you want a government contract

Ten tips on how to make that happen from those who make the decisions

MARK H. MCCALLUMNASPB 202.464.1173 | [email protected]

Mark H. McCallum serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP), located in Washington, D.C. NASBP is an interna-tional association of companies employing professional surety bond producers and brokers. Before assuming his role as Chief Executive Officer, Mark served as NASBP’s General Counsel & Director of Government Relations, directing its government rela-tions, industry relations, legal, and other functions.

Prior to coming to NASBP, Mark was Senior Counsel & Executive Director of Programs and Industry Relations with the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia. Among his responsibilities at AGC were direct-ing the AGC Contract Documents Program, providing analysis and assistance on regulatory and legislative matters impacting construction contracting and contractor liability, and overseeing and advancing industry liaison relationships. Mark also served in the General Counsel’s Office of the American Institute of Architects as Associate Counsel, Contract Documents, where, among other professional responsibilities, he was involved in the revision and development of many AIA standardized forms and in addressing liability issues impacting design professionals.


Everything you ever wanted to know about surety bonds

And more!

TONYA SPEEDMid Tier Advocacy Group [email protected]

Tonya Speed, Founder of Washington Premier Consulting a government relations and strategic planning firm that represents a range of private and public clients in health care reform, financial services, energy and small and emerging business. Their services include lobbying, legislative tracking, crisis management, creating and managing coalitions, writing legislative and regulatory language, political positioning, issue campaigns, and media tracking.

Tonya has an extensive background in federal government affairs that spans al-most 20 years. The primary areas of responsibility have included health care reform, financial services and emerging business concerns. Most experience has been gained over time in dealing with relevant issues before House and Senate Small Business, Homeland Security, Ways and Means and Financial Services Committees. She has developed and implemented winning strategies for clients on key legislation that has become law. Past success on behalf of for her clients have included legislative inclu-sions in the Balanced Budget Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the most recently passed Health Care Affordability Act of 2010, just to name a few. In addition, Ms. Speed is the official spokes person and representative for Mid Tier Advocacy (MTA).

Sunday, Feb 5, 2:00 pm

A new perspective on SBA’s small business size standards

Learn what’s in the pipeline for updating and

expanding these criteria

KATHLYNN SMITHHunt Ortmann 626.440.5200 | [email protected]

Kathlynn Smith specializes in construction and general business litigation. She has successfully represented owners, developers, contractors, and subcontractors in a wide variety of construction contract administration, claims, and litigation. Ms. Smith places a particular emphasis on construction claims involving payment disputes, delay and disruption, false claims, construction defects, and actions on payment and perfor-mance bonds. Ms. Smith has successfully litigated and resolved complex construction disputes involving multi-million dollar claims.

Ms. Smith is the co-author of the “Smart Girls’ Guide To Construction Law” and architect of the “Smart Girls’” initiative directed at women-owned and/or operated companies in the construction industry. The Smart Girls’ mission is to advance and support the success of women in the construction industry. The “Smart Girls’ Guide” is a practical tool for the construction professional with legal tips and understandable breakdowns of legal principles.

Sunday, Feb 5, 2:00 pm

A new perspective on SBA’s small business size standards

Learn what’s in the pipeline for updating and

expanding these criteria

JOAN BRADLEY WAGESNational Women’s History Museum 703.461.1920 | [email protected]

Joan Wages is a founding board member of NWHM and worked to raise the money and pass legislation to move the Suffrage Statue depicting founders of the U.S. suf-frage movement from the U.S. Capitol Crypt upstairs into the Rotunda, where it now stands. For over a decade, she has worked to identify a building site for the Museum and to lobby Congress for a permanent home. She was elected president in July 2007. Lifetime Television honored her in its Remarkable Woman series with a public service announcement highlighting her efforts on the Museum.

Ms. Wages has served as President of Cash, Smith & Wages, a consulting firm with offices in Alexandria, Virginia. The firm specializes in government affairs, develop-ing strategy and communications for getting federal legislation passed. Ms. Wages is a registered lobbyist with a wide range of political experience including state and federal legislation, national grassroots lobbying campaigns, lobbying federal agencies to influence the regulatory process, and political campaigns. She writes frequently for national publications.

Ms. Wages has focused on women’s issues on Capitol Hill and has worked with leg-islators, women’s organizations and related political activities. Her legislative accom-plishments include passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act, the smoking ban on aircraft, numerous aviation security measures and Delaware legislation preventing the take-over of corporations by corporate raiders. As a political action committees (PAC) director, she has frequent contact with members of Congress. Ms. Wages has been politically active and participated in numerous professional and political organiza-tions. She also served on the Board of the Virginia Alliance for Health Care Freedom.

Monday, Feb 6, 1:00 pmGuaranteeing a place in

history for WCOE members

ANN SULLIVANMadison Services Group 202.626.8528 | [email protected]

Ms. Sullivan is the President of Madison Services Group, Inc., a woman-owned company which provides government relations services to corporate and non-profit clients. She brings many years of government relations experience in the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, serving in key advisory roles. Ms. Sullivan works with the United States Congress as well as the United States govern-ment agencies to bring her clients’ issues national attention. Her expertise includes government procurement, health care and tax issues affecting small businesses. She currently represents the largest national association of women business owners and women in business, Women Impacting Public Policy. MSGI specializes in outreach to the small business community with an emphasis on women owned and minority businesses.

She also serves on the James Madison University College of Integrated Science and Technology Executive Advisory Council.

In March 2010, Ms. Sullivan received the Enterprising Women of the Year Award.


What’s going on behind closed doors on Capitol Hill

An up-to-the-minute update from WCOE’s advocate

DEBORAH WILDERCCMI 650.522.4402 | [email protected]

Deborah is a native Californian, raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is a gradu-ate of U.C. Davis with a degree in Political Science and Public Service and has her law degree from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Deborah is a member of both the Oregon and California Bar and specializes in labor and employment law in the construction industry.

Deborah is the president and owner of Contractor Compliance and Monitoring, Inc., a company which monitors prevailing wage and public works compliance. She also pro-vides educational seminar and assistance to contractors involving DBE certification, EEO/AAP requirements, ARRA reporting and public works employment compliance issues. Deborah is the author of What Every Contractor Should Know About Prevailing Wages and also AGC of America’s Davis Bacon Manual-Third Edition and is consid-ered an industry authority on the subject.

Deborah served two years as Mayor of Foster City and 8 years on the Foster City Council. She is the past president of Women Construction Owners and Executives. She has spoken before the California Department of Transportation and at numerous SBA workshops in Chicago, Atlanta, Phoenix and Seattle, before the American Bar Association, Associated General Contractors, Associated Builders and Contractors, American Subcontractors Association, World of Concrete and others governmental and trade associations on issues relating to public works contracting.




and employment law