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Shaw host 12th annual small business opportunity forum

  • Published
  • By Randall May
  • 20th Contracting Squadron
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Fighter Wing and 20th Contracting Squadron hosted the 12th Annual Small Business Opportunity Forum here July 16, 2014. The event was designed to enhance the Air Force Small Business Program and increase small business participation in every eligible acquisition. Shaw's annual forum is an outreach event supporting the Air Force's Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Program.

Col. Stephen Jost, 20th Fighter Wing commander, presented the wing's mission to the 64 attendees; afterwards they heard from small-business specialists and contracting personnel from throughout the state. Featured speakers were: Maj. John Kendall, 20th CS commander; Michael Corp, business opportunity specialist for the Small Business Administration in Columbia; Kathy Edenborough, director of business operations/small business specialist for 628th Contracting Squadron, Joint Base Charleston; Michele Thompson, contracting officer for non-appropriated funds, Shaw Air Force Base; Jan Zeigler, senior marketing specialist with General Services Administration; Peter Oliver of the Small Business Development Center; personnel from the 20th  Contracting Squadron; and members of the contracting office from United States Air Forces Central at Shaw. 

The main speaker for the Small Business Forum was Noah Leask of ISHPI Information Technologies, Inc., Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. Noah Leask and Lisa Leask founded ISHPI IT Inc., an 8(a) small business, in 2006. His recent experience made him a credible source to speak on perseverance as you develop and establish yourself as a small business owner.

The forum was planned and executed by members of the 20th CS under the direction of Kendall May, 20th FW small business program manager, and Randall May, 20th FW director of business operations.