Wishard, City host veterans contracting workshop
- Diversity, Uncategorized
- June 23, 2010
- admin
Some of the Indianapolis area’s most respected leaders gathered on Friday, June 11 to share their commitment and thanks to America’s veterans and to deliver information and advice as part of “For Veterans Only: The Road to Contract Success,” a workshop for veteran-owned businesses.
Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams speaks to veteran-owned business leaders at “For Veterans Only: The Road to Contract Success.”
The City of Indianapolis Department of Minority and Women Business Development partnered with Wishard to host the event at the New Life Worship Center. The four-hour seminar featured panel discussions and presentations on contracting opportunities and advice for veteran-owned businesses as well as information on upcoming projects including The New Wishard project and others from the City and State.
“The mayor is a veteran himself, and one of the things he has committed to do is look out for veteran businesses,” said Deputy Mayor Olgen Williams, himself a U.S. Army veteran. “He wants to make sure veterans are included in any opportunities that would be available in Marion County and the City, and I strongly agree. We must ensure veterans have the opportunity to be successful in America because all veterans have prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for us.”
Williams was joined by District 95 State Representative John Bartlett, District 96 State Representative Greg Porter, Wishard Health Services CEO and Medical Director Dr. Lisa Harris, and Virgil Madden of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.
“Events like this show the commitment from Wishard and the City and State to work to provide information and opportunities for veteran-owned businesses. These are programs our community can be very proud of,” said Rep. Bartlett.
Many other community and contracting leaders and officials participated in the event, including Daniel Lopes, Executive Director of Indiana Commission for Hispanic and Latino Affairs. Panel discussions focused on upcoming contracting opportunities including The New Wishard, Super Bowl 2012, the Deep Rock Tunnel project and more.
“Our veterans are the embodiment of the greatest virtues of this nation,” said Harris. “The information shared at today’s event is vital to success for contractors. Our entire community is coming together to show the spirit of compassion and service we strive for each day at Wishard – the very compassion that is making possible The New Wishard, a new hospital for all of Indianapolis and one we are committed to ensuring our veteran business community helps build.”
The City Department of Minority and Women Business Development joined with state officials to present information on the certification process, while services available to veterans, issues surrounding contracts, financing, bonding and surety, and specific opportunities related to The New Wishard project were also discussed.
“Our goal today was to try to begin to fill the gaps of opportunity for veteran-owned businesses so we can assist them in achieving success and fulfill opportunities as well as help them increase the capacity to compete for work on projects like The New Wishard,” said Porter. “Our goal has been to build capacity, collaboration and ultimately success for our community.”
Pastor John F. Ramsey of the New Life Worship Center, which hosted the event, delivered the welcome, while Pastor Jerry Hillenburg, a Retired United States Marine, delivered the invocation.
The event is one of a series presented by The New Wishard Transformation Team and the City of Indianapolis to provide information to increase opportunities for minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses on The New Wishard project and others to achieve the shared participation goals of 15 percent for MBE, 8 percent for WBE and 3 percent VBE participation.