Defense and Homeland Security Goals-Mentor Protege

A. Major Goal: Improve the private business environment, thereby increasing revenue, profitability and high-paying jobs:

A2. Sub Goal: Create a program to encourage wider use of the federal Mentor-Protégé programs in Hampton Roads.

Short Title: Mentor–Protégé (see Program Description here)

Background and Objective of Goal:

Many federal agencies have formal Mentor – Protégé Programs to encourage larger businesses to assist small businesses to grow. Relative to the size of the federal contracting industry in Hampton Roads, there appears to be small participation. Encouraging the creation of more protégé companies here would be good for economic development and for our industry.

Goal Leader:

David Storey

Supporting Participants:

Rick Lally, Jack Greenhalgh, Missy Blankenship, Doña Storey, Jim Harrington, Suzanne Stephan, Bob Sharak, Joe Moore, Joe Sventina

Action Plan:

The next meeting of the Sub-Goal Committee:

Status and Comments:

6/9/08
- Dona Storey accepted leadership of this sub-goal. She made a brief presentation addressing her views on how this initiative should be undertaken and received the approval of the Steering Committee to proceed as she recommends. She will develop a more detailed plan of action.
4/14/08
- Kynn Harned is refining the list which will then be shared with area associations. Presentation will be given to the final list of potential protégé companies explaining the benefits and requirements. The subcommittee will then assist with finding the right mentor. It was suggested to seek an Inside Business article on existing protégé companies.
3/10/08
- Next step is to circulate initial list among professional organizations and small business specialist to improve its coverage.
2/11/08
- Joel Nied working on a preliminary list of companies that are qualified. That list will then be circulated to a variety of reviews to identify others. Need assistance with the newspaper picking up the story for publicity. Jon Glass has been in contact with Jack. Inside Business would be an option to run the story. Run it through the SBA with the assistance of John Fedkenheuer.
1/14/08
- Currently, only 3 companies are protégés in Hampton Roads.
- Focus on the criteria to identify companies.
- Navy has very strict limits on the mentor-protégé program.
- Established specific goal to create two new protégé companies in Hampton Roads within one year.
11/19/07
- Identify qualified potential protégé companies in HR
- Develop a training program for protégés
- Coordinate program with SBDC and SBA