BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20230221T163000Z DTEND:20230221T180000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:Lunch & Learn - Opportunities for Minority Businesses DESCRIPTION:Opportunities for Minority Businesses\n\npresented by: \n\nTommy L. Marks\, Program Director Virginia Minority Business Development Agency\n\nMr. Marks serves as the Director for the Department of Commerce's Virginia Minority Business Development Agency Business Center\, operated by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council. Responsible for managing relationships and sources of deals by promoting the interests of MBEs\; educating MBEs on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives (e.g.\, mergers\, acquisitions\, and/or joint ventures)\; and providing service referrals to MBEs of all sizes. He served as the Director of the MBDA Federal Procurement Center\, operated by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council from August 2019-July 2021. Under his leadership the Center was recognized as an award-winning MBDA Century Club center\, with over $20.3 billion in contracts awarded servicing 1\,313 clients\, resulting in 1\,494 jobs created and 1\,319 jobs retained.\n\n\n\nMr. Marks\, is a retired member of the Army's Senior Executive Service and the former Director of the Army Small Business Programs Office for the Secretary of the Army\, serving during the period of 19 April 2015 to 30 September 2018. Prior to serving as a civil servant\, Mr. Marks served 24 years in the Army as an Infantry and Aviation Officer\, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in September 2001.\n\n\n\nClick here to learn more: https://www.mbda-virginia.com/\n\nThe Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome back in 2023\, the Lunch & Learn Signature Event Series! We have a complete calendar of events planned throughout the year that will center of many different aspects of business including branding\, franchising\, analyzing and planning. These events are for everyone from the seasoned business veteran to those considering venturing on their own. \n\nEach monthly event will be held at a variety of venues around the county with many offering lunch. For locations without foodservice\, arrangements will be made for you to order in advance or simply bring your own. The focus is on the topic and not so much the meal. \n\nIf your business is interested in hosting one or more of the events\, please contact the Chamber for details specific to what's required to ensure the best event possible. X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html: \;\n