Doing Business with the Government

Event description

Join us for a panel style discussion where we ask representatives from different areas to explain what is a government contract, how businesses can apply for those contracts, and why should a small business owner consider doing business with the government.

Jutta Bangs is the East TN counselor with the APEX Accelerator at the University of Tennessee. APEX provides no cost technical assistance (counseling and training) through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense. APEX focuses on providing information about local, state, and federal contracting opportunities.

Karen Binkley is the Small Business Liaison for the University of Tennessee System Office of Procurement Services. She leads the university’s three-pronged supplier diversity program through outreach initiatives for vendors, in-reach efforts with university employees, and lateral reach (partnerships) with agencies throughout the southeast.

Jacqueline Merritt has been employed with the Small Business Administration (SBA), since November 1989. During her tenure with the federal government, Merritt served as a Business Opportunity Specialist for the 8(a) Business Development Division until February 2001. In Merritt’s former capacity, she serviced East TN and Middle Tennessee 8(a) Companies. Currently, Merritt’s an Economic Development Specialist in the Economic Development Division and is charged with marketing the agency’s programs and services.