Winning Government Contracts: Three Entrepreneurs Show What It Takes To Thrive

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Yesterday at the “Grow Your Business through Government Contracting” event in Dallas, American Express OPEN^®, the small business division of the financial services company, recognized three small business owners for their remarkable achievements in government contracting with the second annual Victory in Procurement (VIP) Awards.

“We are celebrating three business owners for their diligence, persistence and success in selling to the world’s largest customer. These owners are the shining examples that small businesses need to see so that they too can grow their business.”

“Small businesses have the power to drive this economy. Their success is America’s success,” said Karen-Michelle Mirko, director of customer advocacy at American Express OPEN. “We are celebrating three business owners for their diligence, persistence and success in selling to the world’s largest customer. These owners are the shining examples that small businesses need to see so that they too can grow their business.”

At yesterday’s event, active contractors had direct access to government buyers – including the largest federal buyer, the Department of Defense – via VIP Contract Connections, buyer/seller meetings. Local buyers, like the City of Dallas, and prime contractors also met with business owners to discuss contract opportunities. There were close to 30 procurement officials from the federal, state and prime contracting levels at the event.

A woman-owned small business, The Lyons Group, which provides graphic and web design, printing, advertising, integrated online marketing and social networking, as well as virtual paralegal and administrative support for small to emerging businesses, walked away with a federal government contract from the Department of Interior. In 2010 alone, the federal government spent $98 billion on products and services supplied by small businesses, including $34.4 billion with small, disadvantaged firms and $17.5 billion with women-owned small businesses.

All business owners had the opportunity to meet government procurement officials, network and learn from fellow business owners as well as experts, and receive free business counseling through SCORE^® Roundtable Coaching.

Yesterday’s awardees were recognized in the categories of Government Contractor of the Year, Woman Contractor of the Year and Teaming Contractor of the Year. Candidates provided details about their work and success in government contracting via a detailed application which was evaluated by a panel of judges.

The 2011 winners are:

Government Contractor of the Year was awarded to Randy Lebolo of Boynton Beach, FL-based Lebolo Construction Management, a construction management firm. Attending government contracting events, visiting government agencies and forming key relationships with contracting officers, Lebolo Construction has been on the fast track to contracting success. Obtaining 8(a) certification and being on the GSA schedule has helped the company grow through the recession and hire new employees. After winning several small 8(a) contracts, Lebolo Construction was recently awarded its largest contract to date – an $18 million mentor-protégé agreement. Ninety percent of Lebolo Construction revenues are generated through government contracts, and 2011 revenues are projected to increase by 40% over 2010.
Woman Contractor of the Year was awarded to Hester Taylor Clark of Jacksonville, FL-headquartered, The Hester Group, a strategic communications and program management company. Through government contracting – which makes up 90% of the company’s revenues – The Hester Group has grown to become one of the largest African-American, woman-owned strategic communications and program management agencies in Northeast Florida. The business also has a satellite office in Alexandria, VA. The Hester Group has doubled its staff and expanded their offices due to government contracting. 2011 revenues are projected to increase by 175% over 2010.
Teaming Contractor of the Year was awarded to Lisa Firestone of Bethesda, MD-based Managed Care Advisors Inc. (MCA) is a woman-owned, small business specializing in workers’ compensation case management services and employee benefits and disability management consulting. Since entering the government contracting arena, MCA’s workforce has quadrupled, and today, 85% of the company’s revenues are generated through federal government contracts. Ms. Firestone attributes teaming relationships as an integral part of MCA's success and anticipates 50% revenue growth this year.

The VIP awards are part of American Express OPEN’s Victory in Procurement™ (VIP) for Small Business initiative. Launched in 2009, VIP is a national program that helps small business owners capitalize on the enormous growth opportunity provided through government contracts. By partnering with WIPP, SCORE "Counselors to America's Small Business" and Teaming USA (www.teamingusa.com), a partnership with Business Matchmaking, the program is helping business owners at every level of contract readiness.

About American Express OPEN

American Express OPEN is the leading payment card issuer for small businesses in the United States and supports business owners with products and services to help them run and grow their businesses. This includes business charge and credit cards that deliver purchasing power, flexibility, rewards, savings on business services from an expanded lineup of partners and online tools and services designed to help improve profitability. Learn more at www.OPEN.com and connect with us at openforum.com and twitter.com/openforum.

American Express is a global services company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on www.facebook.com/americanexpress, www.twitter.com/americanexpress and www.youtube.com/americanexpress.