Email from SCORE Middle Georgia

Celebrating The SBA National Small Business Week

May 08 - 11:30 am Location: VECTR Center, 1001 S. Armed Forces Blvd, Warner Robins, GA 31088

Fee: $15 to cover lunch costs

Join us for an insightful lunchtime panel in celebration of SBA National Small Business Week! This special event will feature expert voices from government contracting, retail, economic development, and veteran entrepreneurship, all sharing real-world strategies for navigating uncertainty and building resilience in small business.

Our panelists include:

Nancy C Cleveland

Statewide Program Manager for the Georgia Tech (GT) APEX Accelerator.

Ms. Cleveland leads a team of GT APEX Accelerator Counselors who provide guidance and support to Georgia-based businesses pursuing government contracting opportunities. The GT APEX Accelerator operates nine regional offices throughout the state, including one in Warner Robins.

Given her expertise and direct insight, she is well-positioned to address the current state of government contracting under the new administration. She can also provide clarity on how cost-cutting measures may impact contracts differently depending on the type of product or service being offered.

Rikki Waite

Owner, My Grandma’s Empanadas

Rikki came to the Warner Robins area as a “military brat” . After a stint in the corporate world, she started selling empanandas at the local farmers market as a

mobile food vendor at our famer’s market. She grew the business into a retail space…just before COVID, and managed to find a way to survive – and thrive. Her lessons learned provide small businesses with ways to cope with uncertainty.

Kate Hogan

Director, Warner Robins Community and Economic Development

Kate leads the Warner Robins Community and Economic Development Department, which acts as a force multiplier for Economic opportunity throughout the City. Her work ensures a community that attracts growth, builds wealth, maintains affordable housing, and encourages entrepreneurship throughout the City of Warner Robins. She supports many local small businesses as they deal with these uncertain times.

Reginald Thompson (US Army retired)

Director, Veterans Business Outreach Center

Reggie is a retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major (SGM) with 32 years of active-duty service, and pformer member of the 82nd Airborne Division. He brings extensive leadership, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to supporting transitioning service member, National Guards, Reservist, veteran and their spouses in their entrepreneurial journey to business success.

His work with veterans/spouses and their small businesses gives him unique insight into what does- and doesn’t work – when facing adversity.

MODERATOR: Matt McKenna

Volunteer Chapter Chair,

SCORE Middle Georgia.

Matt spent 35 years as a management consultant, and spends much of his retirement time helping SCORE clients start and grow small businesses.

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Our volunteers,

make a positive impact on the small-business community.
learn new skills that they can use personally and professionally.
develop a network of like-minded volunteers from around the country.

Learn more about mentoring with SCORE and start the application process now.

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SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground, grow and achieve their goals through education and mentorship. We have been doing this for more than 50 years.

Because our work is supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration, and thanks to our network of 10,000+ volunteers, we are able to deliver our services at no charge or at a very low cost. Find out more about our mission, vision and values.

Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.