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Keynote speakers announced for summit
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (29Sept.04) Scott Denniston of the United States Department
of Veterans Affairs and Neal McCaleb, former Interior Department Assistant Secretary
for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, will be the keynote speakers for this year’s VA/minority
summit Oct. 12 in Midwest City, Okla.
The United State Department of Veterans Affairs is sponsoring the “Bridging the
Gap” summit presented by The Busey Group of Companies and the White Hawk Group.
The event will be held at the Reed Center in Midwest City, Okla., for a one-day
event. The purpose of ”Bridging the Gap” is to promote veteran, minority and Native
American business development.
This year’s focus is connecting agencies, contractors and enterprises for new business
while stressing the importance of alliances between tribal enterprises, tribal veterans
and minorities for contracting opportunities.
The speakers for this year’s summit are top experts in the area and will give critical
advice to those attending. Denniston currently serves as director for small disadvantage
business utilization for the VA in Washington D.C. This will be his second year
to speak at the annual summit. “We are very fortunate to have Denniston again,”
said Phil Busey, founder of the Busey Group. “He delivers a very informative message
that is sure to help many veterans, Native Americans, minorities and entrepreneurs.
“This year will be even more special with McCaleb also as a keynote speaker,” Busey
said. “The niche this year’s summit is offering makes it necessary to have more
than one keynote speaker. What they both have to say and teach is very innovative
and unique. “You can’t find this type of summit anywhere else,” he said.
McCaleb is an expert in the Native American business development field. He uses
his expertise and past experience to inform and advise many minority entrepreneurs
in today’s complex business world. The summit provides a “hands on” workshop that
will feature many other experts including Yolane Hartsfield of the US Army Corp
of Engineers; Lynda Speller of Metro Technology Centers; Ross Hill of Bank2; Bill
Strecker of Bank of Oklahoma; Billy Jefferson, retired small business specialist
of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center; and Debra Ponder-Nelson of the Oklahoma Minority
Supplier Development Council.
The event will have lectures and interactive workshops to address business strategies,
contracting opportunities and financing options. The summit will also hold a trade
show with booths to provide additional resources.
Registration is $50 per organization. Organizations are encouraged to bring guests.
Everyone in attendance must register by calling (405) 721-7776. The cost is to help
offset expenses.
Event sponsors include the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Bank2, the Oklahoma
Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC), the American Indian Chamber of Commerce
of Oklahoma (AICCO), Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and the Bank of Oklahoma.
Co-presenting this event is White Hawk Group, a Native-American owned firm beginning
its fifth year in the SBA 8(a) program. Founded by Marty Edwards and Holly Armstrong,
White Hawk Group's divisions consist of White Hawk Construction, White Hawk Communications,
and White Hawk IT Consulting.
The Busey Group is also presenting “Bridging the Gap” summit for 2004. The company
is a Native American owned innovative business development and consulting firm in
Oklahoma.
The Busey Group focus is in developing business and economic development opportunities
for tribal governments, Native American and minority businesses. The Busey Group
is the ONE SOURCE providing resources and experience for people, business, and education.
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5721 NW 132nd Street
OKC, OK 73142
Ph: 405.721.7776
Fax: 405.721.7779 |
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