CERTIFY . DEVELOP . CONNECT . ADVOCATE |
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From your MBEIC Chair
Time does not STOP!!
Once again I want to say I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve as your MBEIC Chair.
As the MBEIC Chair I represents concerns of the MBE’s and ensuring Standards of Affiliations with NMSDC are not violated and ensuring the appropriate brand image of the SMSDC.
A very important point I would like to make this month is the NMSDC’s MBE2MBE Search tool is available. The NMSDC certified MBEs have long been encouraged to team and partner with their MBE colleagues.
The MBE2MBE search tool enables MBEs to:
- Build and grow relationships within their council’s region
- Increase capacity through teaming, partnerships and/or strategic alliances
- Discover MBE’s to include in their supply chain activities
SMSDC Region includes the State of New Mexico, State of Oklahoma, Austin, San Antonio, El Paso, Rio Grande Valley along the Texas/Mexico border toward Laredo/Eagle Pass-Del Rio Midland/Odessa. MBEs, we have GREAT opportunities to meet and team up with other MBEs. The SMSDC President and Staff never stop working to bring opportunities to our region. Now we have to do our part as MBEs and get involved to keep our region STRONG!!!
Now, as we have the "Annual Stakeholders Meeting" event on March 25th and the "Collaboration & Innovation MeetUp" between SMSDC, WBEA and Toyota on the evening of March 25th and 26th I assure you these events will be highly attended. Have you registered? We have a large Council and with no great expense on traveling and lodging you just need to sign up and show up. We will have opportunities to Collaborate and Participate with Corporations, MBE2MBE and meet certified WBE’s.
I have add the MBEIC Mission Statement below. Please take the time to read and allow it to encourage you WHY you took the time and money to be certified as a MBE!!!
Mission Statement
The Minority Business Entrepreneur Committee is committed to being an agent of change. The committee assists SMSDC in recruiting and retaining minority business entrepreneurs and helps inform MBEs on how to do business with corporate America.
The committee formulates and conducts innovative workshops for MBEs to learn the necessary business disciplines in creating expansion and growth opportunities through forging strategic alliances, joint venturing, and market positioning within existing business models.
I encourage you to register for both events coming up next week and I look forward to meeting you virtually!
Your MBEIC Chair,
Debbie Trevino
President
Treco Services
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Second Draw PPP Loans
If you have previously received a PPP loan, certain businesses are eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan.
Notice: PPP ends March 31, 2021
The Paycheck Protection Program ends on March 31, 2021. All eligible entities can apply through a participating lender until then.
Loan details
The Paycheck Protection Program now allows certain eligible borrowers that previously received a PPP loan to apply for a Second Draw PPP Loan with the same general loan terms as their First Draw PPP Loan.
Second Draw PPP Loans can be used to help fund payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay for mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs related to COVID-19, uninsured property damage costs caused by looting or vandalism during 2020, and certain supplier costs and expenses for operations.
Maximum loan amount and increased assistance for accommodation and food services businesses
For most borrowers, the maximum loan amount of a Second Draw PPP Loan is 2.5x the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million. For borrowers in the Accommodation and Food Services sector (use NAICS 72 to confirm), the maximum loan amount for a Second Draw PPP Loan is 3.5x the average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million.
Who may qualify
A borrower is generally eligible for a Second Draw PPP Loan if the borrower:
- Previously received a First Draw PPP Loan and will or has used the full amount only for authorized uses
- Has no more than 300 employees; and
- Can demonstrate at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020
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PPP Application Steps
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Review and collect the PPP Required Documentation - Attached
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Calculate your max amount. Sch. C Filers – page 1 – 2 (you can use line 7 or line 31, please use the correct application). Sch. F Filers – page 3. Partnerships – page 3 – 4. Corporations– page 4 – 5. Nonprofits – page 6. FAQs – page 7 -8
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Complete and sign the correct SBA application– Attached
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Complete and sign the 25% Forgiveness Obligation Acknowledgement Form, if a 2nd draw applicant only - Attached
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Upload all your documents via the TruFund PPP Application
PPP Next Steps
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Once received and reviewed, a TruFund representative will contact you for any corrections or missing information, if applicable
- Your representative will contact you once the application is approved or denied
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A TruFund representative will contact you to schedule closing if approved
Application closes March 31, 2021
Please note that all applications will be processed on a first-come, first-serve basis, and funds are limited. List of required documentation is attached.
*Documentation to support the claim of a 25% reduction is required with your application for loans over $150,000. It is recommended at the time of application for loans under $150,000. However, you may provide documentation when applying for forgiveness. If you cannot provide documentation to support the claim when applying for forgiveness, your loan will not be forgiven.
PPP Contact:
Sam Fuentes
Business Development Officer
972.435.4611
LaShaunda P. Rene
Vice President
Managing Director – Texas
504.293.5526
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How Minority-Owned Businesses Can Thrive During
(And After) Covid-19
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Minority-owned businesses (defined as businesses that are at least 51% owned by people of Asian-Indian, Asian-Pacific, Black, Hispanic or Native American descent) have been disproportionately affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to a U.S. Chamber of Commerce, companies owned by minorities are “feeling a bigger impact from the pandemic, report assistance being more vital and have heightened concern about the pandemic’s impact on the local economy, their businesses and mental health.”
While this has been a challenging year, I believe many minority-owned companies may possess the exact combination of ingenuity and creativity needed to not only survive the pandemic but thrive during it.
The Covid-19 pandemic has certainly made life harder for many companies, but some businesses are uncovering new opportunities and revenue streams.
If you’re a small business owner struggling to keep your company afloat, here are a few tips, from my team to yours, to help your company emerge from the pandemic stronger and more agile than ever:
1. Take advantage of funding opportunities.
There are dozens of funding and grant options available to minority-owned businesses.
The recently passed federal stimulus bill contained additional funding options for minority-owned businesses. Plus, there’s a wealth of private funding opportunities available, including PayPal’s $5 million grant program that provides assistance for Black-owned businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration has more information on funding options for minority-owned companies.
2. Get MBE-certified.
MBE stands for minority business enterprise. Getting MBE-certified, through the National Minority Supplier Development Council can provide access to a host of unique benefits, including exclusive contact with corporate purchasing agents, affordable consulting, top-quality technology programs and fully searchable supplier databases, to name a few. MBE-certified businesses also get increased access to loans, training and educational opportunities.
3. Leverage resources.
If you’re looking for ways to grow your business during Covid-19, the best option is to leverage the resources available to you. Here are a few I recommend:
- The 8(a) Business Development Program: Offered by the Small Business Administration, the 8(a) Business Development program seeks to award at least 5% of all federal contracting dollars to “small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities.”
- The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA): The MBDA is a program spearheaded by the U.S. Department of Commerce. It offers access to contracting opportunities, grants and capital for small businesses, as well as access to funding from private equity and venture capital firms.
- The Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC): The MSDC serves as an intermediary between minority-owned companies and organizations that need the products and services they offer. This can help you diversify your customer base and reach new buyers.
I also recommend consulting your local chamber of commerce to identify and learn about local programs meant to assist minority-owned companies.
4. Make it known you’re a minority business.
It seems that now more than ever, companies and customers want to support local, minority-owned businesses. If you have a Google My Business listing or Yelp listing, make sure to tick off the box in your profile that indicates your business is minority-owned. Put a sign in front of your store (if you have one) or on your website indicating your business is minority-owned. The more awareness you spread, the more likely you are to attract customers looking to support minority-owned businesses.
5. Introduce new services.
According to a McKinsey poll of 1,000 small businesses nationwide, during the pandemic, “more than 40% of minority-owned small businesses have added new services to support their communities and employees, compared with 27% of all respondents.” Businesses everywhere have been forced to shift gears — what new services can you offer that your customers are in need of?
Our company, for example, introduced a new service: Covid-19 disinfection and cleaning for commercial properties. While we offer specialty cleaning services for infectious disease outbreaks, we shifted gears to focus primarily on Covid-19 cleanings. Adding this service to our lineup has helped us stay afloat and keep our business growing during these tough times.
6. Network with other MBEs.
We’re stronger when we work together. To strengthen your network and expand your access to opportunities, connect with other MBEs in your community and throughout the country.
Start with other companies in your community (do a search through your local chamber of commerce or your state’s economic development agency), and extend your reach from there. Not only does this present possible referral opportunities, but it’s a great way to learn about how other minority-owned companies are navigating today’s challenges.
Looking Forward: Emerging From Covid-19 Stronger Than Ever
While the pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for business owners around the country, minority-owned businesses have been disproportionately affected. Fortunately, there are ways to not only survive this pandemic but thrive during it and emerge with a stronger, more robust business than you had last year.
By: Diana Rodriguez-Zaba
February 19, 2021
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Certified MBEs Doing Great Things!!! |
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The state of New Mexico was able to accomplish what many other states had difficulty accomplishing. New Mexico Department of Health reached out to Certified MBE Real Time Solutions, Inc. located in Albuquerque, NM, to assist in launching the first in the nation statewide vaccine registration website. Since its inception, the vaccine registration website has grown to include the COVID-19 Vaccine Public Dashboard which consist of data such as the total doses administered, total registrants, federal data and much more. Real Time Solutions is extremely proud in helping the State of New Mexico and its constituents reach new levels of safety through technology.
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NEW CERTIFIED MBEs
FEBRUARY 2021
Forma, LLC - San Antonio, TX
Greengold Trading, LLC - Laredo, TX
Noble Texas Builders - La Feria, TX
QuestionPro - Austin, TX
Texas Carriers - Laredo, TX
Vendor Selection Solutions - Helotes, TX
Waypoint Government Solutions, LLC - Round Rock, TX
JANUARY 2021
ATD Partners, LLC - Austin, TX
BBS Construction Services - Madill, OK
Buckley Patent Law, LLC - Austin, TX
DNA Real Estate, LLC - Austin, TX
Extreme Well Testing, LLC - Mission, TX
Inclusive Market Research Group, LLC - Benalillo, NM
Mindful Media, LLC - Austin, TX
Pride Automation Inc - San Antonio, TX
RRH-Austin, LLC - Austin, TX
The HABITS Group - Austin, TX
DECEMBER 2020
Comm-Tron, LLC - Boerne, TX
Cross-National Communications Partners, LLC - San Antonio, TX
FurtherPerformance Services, LLC - Austin, TX
Goodman Communication Services, LLC - Fredericksburg, TX
Goodman Telecom Services, LLC - Fredericksburg, TX
Hays Brothers Painting Services, Inc - Moore, TX
Jalem Welding Services, LLC - McAllen, TX
Miles Architecture, LLC - Oklahoma City, OK
Mtech Partners, LLC - Cedar Park, TX
Siembra y Cosecha, LLC - Weslaco, TX
TekHouse, LLC - Tulsa, OK
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RE-CERTIFIED MBEs
FEBRUARY 2021
Apfelbaum Industrial, Inc.
Aztec Machine & Repair, Inc.
Bankson Group, Ltd.
I Technology Services
Cranes & Material Handling Inc.
FASIC Design LLC
Global Scaffolding & Insulation, LLC.
GNA LOGISTICS LLC
iNof8 Legal, LLC
Kitchen 54 Foods
KLP Commercial, LLC
Laredo Technical Services, Inc.
Links Contracting Partners LLC
LynnCo Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.
MagRabbit, Inc.
MD Choice Logistics LLC
Nova Landscape Group, Inc.
Ortiz & Lopez, PLLC
Perma-Temp Personnel Services, Inc.
Romedu Express, LLC
Seegrove LLC
SOAL Technologies, LLC
Spray-Rite, Inc.
Suarez Bros. Crane & Heavy Haul, LLC
The 5125 Company
Tiger Natural Gas, Inc.
TM Logistics LLC
Today's Roofing, Inc.
Viking Fence Co Ltd
Vutex, Inc.
Walters Construction Company LLC
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REQUIREMENT FOR ALL NEW & INTERESTED APPLICANTS FOR MINORITY BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (MBE) CERTIFICATION:
You must participate in the session prior to the Certification Committee reviews your application.
All new MBE's must attend a Pre-Certification & Post-Certification session. The sessions will be held by conference call several times a month. Please make sure to attend one pre-certification & one post-certification session in order to complete the certification process. Please contact Alana Ortega, Certification Manager, at alana@smsdc.org to register.
The following are dates available for MARCH:
Wednesday, March 3rd
Wednesday, March 10th
Wednesday, March 17th
Wednesday, March 24th
Wednesday, March 31st
Trainings are available from 10am – 12pm CST on the dates listed above for the month of March. Training may take about 30 minutes however please allow additional time depending on your company structure and questions you may have.
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The MBE2MBE search tool is a powerful resource available only to NMSDC-certified MBEs
The tool will enable you to:
- Build and grow relationships within your respective council region
- Increase capacity through teaming, partnerships, and/or strategic alliances
- Discover MBEs to include in your supply chain activities
Please note that:
- Your access is currently limited to your affiliate council’s database
- Proprietary data (i.e. revenue, customer references, etc.) will not be accessible
- The enhancement is exclusively for purposes of engaging and partnering among NMSDC-certified MBEs
It is not to be used to/for:
- Promote business events
- Data-mining or a call-down list
- Marketing or a solicitation call list
- Copied, forwarded or sold to outside vendors
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION for all MBEs:
If this is a New Application, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Alana Ortega at 512.297.6478 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to alana@smsdc.org.
If this is a ReCertification, and you are having trouble uploading your documents, please contact Gabrielle Ramirez at 512.694.0522 during regular business hours or send an e-mail to gabrielle@smsdc.org.
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To obtain a copy of your MBE logo, please follow the steps below:
- Login with email/password associated with your SMSDC Certification
- You will see options such as applying for recertification or viewing/printing current certificate
- To obtain logo select “NMSDC Logo Pack” from the bottom right-hand corner and press the download button
The MBE logo is available for use on your company’s marketing print and electronic material. The MBE logo will only be available for your use as long as your company has a current & active MBE certification.
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In alignment of SMSDC’s four pillars, Certify. Develop. Connect. Advocate., education continues to be fundamental. Launched in 2012, SMSDC continues to offer the PLUS+ Platform classes: Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus. These signature programs are a mix of in person & online courses presented by supplier diversity expert Reginald K. Layton, Vice President, Supplier Diversity & Supply Chain Sustainability for Johnson Controls’ Inc and Ralph G. Moore, CPA, president of Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA). Moore is recognized as one of the world’s foremost thought-leaders in the area of supplier diversity and minority business development.
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For CORPORATE MEMBERS ONLY is a process to accelerate supplier diversity initiatives based on real world experimentation. Benchmarking Plus delivers the tools and management perspective to help your corporation strengthen your supplier diversity processes.
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For CERTIFIED MBEs is a process to enhance sales and marketing processes and build their capacity to work with Fortune 500 corporations.
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Benchmarking Plus & Capacity Plus are led by Johnson Controls Inc, a world leader in supplier diversity, with more than 600 diverse suppliers and $1.8 billion in diverse spend.
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Corporate Members: The annual cost for Benchmarking Plus is $999. The registration fee includes access to all webinars, featured courses, online & onsite classes. If you are interested in signing up, please register for the BENCHMARKING PLUS PLATFORM here.
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Certified MBEs: The annual cost for Capacity Plus is $499. The registration fee includes access to all webinars, featured courses, online & onsite classes. If you are interested in signing up, please register for the CAPACITY PLUS PLATFORM here.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Mayra Pena at mayra@smsdc.org or call 915.433.0612.
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NEW DATE!
2021 Virtual Annual Stakeholders' Meeting
March 25, 2021
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In many ways 2020 was a challenging year for most of us. The current pandemic affected us in many ways professionally and personally. We quickly pivoted and learned how to do business in the new normal. Join us on March 25th as we discuss the challenges faced in 2020 and plan for a better 2021.
This virtual meeting, sponsored by Toyota, will give you an opportunity to get to know SMSDC's Board of Directors, Leadership, Staff, Corporate Members and Certified MBEs.
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Webinar, "Doing Business with Mexico under the United States Mexico Canada Agreement and FAQs", will be given in the afternoon by Miriam Name and Natalie Ceron Cuellar. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”) is aimed at modernizing and improving various sectors such as labor, agriculture, automotive, digital trade, and intellectual property, among others. Join us for a discussion on opportunities for doing business with Mexico under the USMCA and other frequently asked questions.
Miriam Name is a partner on Tax and Trade Law at the Law Firm of Cacheaux, Cavazos & Newton where she has assisted Fortune 500 companies for more than 19 years with administrative, tax and trade counsel and litigation in Mexican Law.
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The VIRTUAL annual meeting will take place on Thursday, March 25th via Zoom Webinar.
AGENDA
2020 Year in Review
Introduction of the State of the Council/Network
2021 Goals & Services
2021 MBE "IDOL" Kickoff
USMCA PART II Presentation - "Doing Business with Mexico under the United States Mexico Canada Agreement and FAQs"
Collaboration & Innovation MeetUp Event Day 1 (see below)
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NEW DATES!
VIRTUAL
COLLABORATION & INNOVATION MEETUP
March 25th - 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
March 26th - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
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Online Registration is now open!
Register now to meet with your industry of choice. You must be a Certified M/WBE to participate.
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Please be informed that the MBDA Business Centers at the University of Texas at San Antonio will deliver three workshops in March as follows:
1. Department of Defense Procurement Cybersecurity Policy/Requirements workshop (Sixteen-hour workshop + one-hour consulting)
This interactive workshop is about cybersecurity requirements for all companies, regardless of their field of activity, interested in doing business with the Department of Defense (DOD).
The registration fee for 16 hours of workshop plus one-hour consulting service is $150, and we will register up to 20 participants on a first-come, first-serve basis. The workshop schedule is as follows:
4:30 – 6:30 pm Eastern Time
3:30 - 5:30 pm Central Time
2:30 – 4:30 pm Mountain time
1:30 – 3:30 pm Pacific Time
Session 1: Monday, March 8th, "Introduction & Personnel Security"
Session 2: Wednesday, March 10th, "Physical Protection & Awareness and Training"
Session 3: Monday, March 15th, "Access Control"
Session 4: Wednesday, March 17th, "Audit and Accountability & Configuration Management"
Session 5: Monday, March 22nd, "Identification and Authentication & System and Communications Protection"
Session 6: Wednesday, March 24th, "System and Information Integrity & Media Protection"
Session 7: Monday, March 29th, "Maintenance & Incident Response"
Session 8: Wednesday, March 31st, "Risk Assessment & Security Assessment"
NOTE: Participants will also receive a one-hour, one-on-one consultation session with a DOD cybersecurity consultant within 30 days after the workshop to review and discuss any questions, the self-assessment dashboard, policies, templates, or action plan.
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2. Project Planning and Scheduling (Six-hour Workshop)
Dates and Times:
This webinar will be delivered in two sessions each 3 hours for a total of 6 hours:
Session 1 of 2 (3 hours): Tuesday March 16th from 9 am till 12 noon Central Time
Session 2 of 2 (3 hours): Thursday March 18th from 9 am till 12 noon Central Time
Description:
The success of a company depends on many factors, skills, and knowledge of the owners and employees. One of the most important factors for success is the ability to properly plan and schedule projects. This improves companies’ ability to complete projects on time – a common key performance indicator of successful companies. The participants will learn and apply the fundamentals of project planning and scheduling. A free project scheduling software will be provided to apply the concepts during the webinar and to continue using the software beyond the webinar.
Audience:
Small/Minority Businesses- Anyone involved in the planning, scheduling, and/or execution of a project.
Instructor:
Dr. Tulio Sulbaran is a professor in the Department of Construction Science at the University of Texas San Antonio. He has served as improvement consultant to a variety of companies. He received the prestigious ABC John Trimmer Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has authored over eighty peer-reviewed national/international publications, written serval books and made hundreds of professional presentations. He has served as a Trustee of the American Council for Construction Education, president of the American Society of Engineering Education Southeastern and editor of the conference proceedings of the Associated Schools of Construction among others.
Registration Fee: $45
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3. Leadership and Interpersonal Skills (Six-hour Workshop)
Dates and Times:
This webinar will be delivered in two sessions each 3 hours for a total of 6 hours:
Session 1 of 2 (3 hours): Tuesday March 23th from 9 am till 12 noon Central Time
Session 2 of 2 (3 hours): Thursday March 25th from 9 am till 12 noon Central Time
Description:
Successful leadership is not the sole responsibility of the presidents, chief executive officers, or owners of companies. Leadership is a shared responsibility of all people that interact with others. Leadership and interpersonal skill are critical for companies and individual success. This interactive webinar will help the participants explore important leadership principles, leadership styles, and tools to help the participants lead themselves and influence others in this fast-paced, challenging, and ever-changing business and personal environment.
Audience:
Small/Minority Businesses- Anyone that interacts with others within and outside a company.
Dr. Tulio Sulbaran is a professor in the Department of Construction Science at the University of Texas San Antonio. He has served as improvement consultant to a variety of companies. He received the prestigious ABC John Trimmer Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has authored over eighty peer-reviewed national/international publications, written serval books and made hundreds of professional presentations. He has served as a Trustee of the American Council for Construction Education, president of the American Society of Engineering Education Southeastern and editor of the conference proceedings of the Associated Schools of Construction among others.
Registration Fee: $45
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SMSDC PAST VIRTUAL EVENTS
Access to SMSDC's past virtual events, please click on the link below or visit www.smsdc.org, click on events and scroll to the bottom of the webpage.
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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Have a recent achievement or new development in your organization? We'd love to share your story too! Click the "SHARE YOUR STORY"link below to leave your name and contact information and we'll reach out to you.
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SMSDC affiliate council of NMSDC
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