Minority Enterprise AdvocateMEA July - August 2014

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Soaring High in Government Contracting- Nicole Priester, CEO of Encore Solutions, Inc. (ESI)

Special MED Week Edition

Handling Investment

Risks

5July – August 2014 Minority Enterprise Advocate

Cover StorySoaring High in Government Contracting 13

Feature ArticleMarketing Strategy+Focus+Execution = Successful Outcomes 7

Corporate NewsCalvin Butler, CEO of BGE 10

Business NewsOn the Green Path to Restoration and Preservation 16Creating a $58 Million NonProfit/Private/Public Partnership 20

Power PlayerValarie King-Bailey 21Start-Up of the Federal Allies Institute 23

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Contents

AutomotiveWithout an Exceptional Team, It’s Impossible to Get the Job Done! 27

Women in Business 31

Company to WatchDerrick A Wilson, Wilson Technology 34

Financial NewsHandling Investment Risks 37

Shumaker ReportOn Being a Good Corporate Citizen 38

Government NewsPress Releases 41

Publisher’s Message 6OSDBU Listing 52

Nicole Priester, CEO of Encore Solutions, Inc.

13July – August 2014 Minority Enterprise Advocate

Cover Story

A third generation entrepreneur, Ms Nicole Priester founded ESI in 2001 after working in her parents company for eight years Over the years, she has found an appropriate untapped niche, driven exclusively by the prevailing market and clientele With her entrepreneurial instinct, Ms Priester has forged ahead to establish her company as Experienced Solutions Innovators, another acronym for ESI

A business professional in her own right, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, in Baton Rouge Louisiana She also completed a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management from The George Washington University, in DC, and is in the dissertation phase of a doctoral degree in Business from Capella University

ESI prides its self as a small woman–owned, minority business providing professional services and technology solutions to assist clients manage their operations and achieve their goals Its current clientele including, but is not limited to, federal government agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, Treasury, and Department of Health and Human Services ESI currently provides services in the areas of Engineering Services, Administrative Support Services, Technology Support and Sustaining Services, Global Security and Infrastructure Support, and Construction Management

Soaring High In Government Contracting A Profile of Nicole Priester

By Omolola Adekeye

ESI currently has a workforce of 25 Ms Priester works diligently each day to ensure that ESI is the choice of clients’ management and technical support services solutions To this end, ESI was recognized in 2007 and 2013 by the state of Maryland as one of the 100 Top Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Women Business Enterprise (WBE) As an SBA Certified 8(a) business, ESI has been able to enter into direct negotiations with federal agencies to capture a few sole source awards As a woman-owned participant in this program, ESI has an avenue to engage in networking conversations which help define ESI as a viable business entity in government agencies and organizations

It has no doubt been a whirlwind for the last 8 to 10 years in the world of government contracting Ms Priester credits her faith in God to keeping ESI afloat through an unpredictable government contracting climate As the only woman-owned business owner to speak at a congressional hearing on the impact of sequestration on the small business community, she has used all the opportunities presented to establish ESI as a viable professional solutions provider

The world of government contracting keeps evolving In the words of Ms Priester “you learn to adapt and move with the change” which has propelled her to further expand ESI’s service scope ESI’s global aspirations extend beyond being experienced solutions innovators by providing not

Nicole Priester, President and CEO, Encore Solutions, Inc. (ESI)

only services but also products that can compete effectively in the global market place

ESI’s global security and infrastructure division takes their solution oriented support abroad ESI has built a customizable border security device that can track and recognize activity across borders As a compliment to this product, ESI is able to do border protection through ground surveillance, combat training and supplemental military and police force training As an expatiation to the current IT services in terms of infrastructure support, ESI is able to update existing IT infrastructures in less advanced countries

Internationally, ESI has established global partnerships which include Microsoft as well as a professional services consulting partner in Nigeria, West Africa The consulting relationship is geared towards Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Construction and Management Solutions This relationship is key because the partners have offices in Washington, DC and Nigeria Ms Priester has also worked with other international businesses She was chosen as one of five African American women business owners to mentor Afro Brazilian female entrepreneurs

Ms Priester is a phenomenal woman whose strength, character and unflinching courage in her business purists stem from the solid foundation she has built on through her unending faith and love for family In her words, “My faith comes first in my life Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ

which strengthens me I remind myself of that when I am faced with obstacles, so my faith provides the foundation of encouragement for me on how I am able to approach my business relationships ” Her family is where she draws her will to survive as an entrepreneur Ms Priester said, “As a third generation entrepreneur, my family showed me a path to financial independence ” Her daughter Sophia is her biggest supporter and inspiration Serving as the 9 year old Vice President of the company with her own business cards and office, Sophia helps to keep the business goals in focus At her tender age, she understands and believes tremendously in the successful enterprise of the business

As an active participant in the business community, Ms Priester is a dedicated member of RMOA, a professional development organization for aspiring entrepreneurs who have been in the military or commercial workforce She is also a member of the Corporate Council of Africa and Women Construction Owners and Executives (WCOE) She is also a past participant in the Center for Women’s Business Research Forum helping to eliminate barriers and challenges faced by women of color in business To women who will be inspired by her successes she advises succinctly, to educate themselves in formalized training and on the process of business ownership This type of education will ensure that they will have operational and strong communication skills Also, find a mentor or a support community echoing her words, “The key to my success is sharing what I know to help other women small business owners” Ms Priester was a finalist with the program “Make Mine a Million” sponsored by American Express which provides business strategies to small businesses helping them to grow from micro to millions

As a firm believer in community development, Ms Nicole Priester is developing a program to hire summer interns and provide scholarship assistance to students from Southern University and other HBCUs Having been born and raised in Southern CA she no longer feels like a fish out of water in Washington, DC after all the years she has lived here, except when it snows

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