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CPUC SUPPLIER DIVERSITY PROGRAM HITS ANOTHER PROCUREMENT MILESTONE
August 22, 2015
SAN FRANCISCO, August 19, 2015 –
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today said that the companies participating in its supplier diversity program have hit a new milestone of procuring approximately $8.8 billion in goods and services in 2014 from women, minority, and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises.
Press release
Provides procurement reports from the participating utilities in the CPUC’s Supplier Diversity Program.
Stan S. Lee promoted as the first Asian American Deputy Chief of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Small Business Programs
On August 7, 2015, Mr. Stan S. Lee became the first Asian American Deputy Chief, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Office of Small Business Programs. In his new role, Mr. Lee will directly supervise all the Small Business Directors at 9 Regional Offices nationwide and oversee 50 USACE District Offices worldwide, including Japan, South Korea, Italy, Germany and the Middle East.
In a recent interview with San Jose MBDA Business Center, Mr Lee said: “I am honored to be the first Asian American Deputy Chief and eager to represent Small Business in America and overseas.” As second in Command of USACE Small Business, Mr. Lee will review/propose policies that greatly affect Small Businesses in the U.S. and represent Small Business at high level meetings at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Headquarter and at the Pentagon. If a Region is not meeting its Small Business Goals, he will visit the Division Commander, Regional Business Director, and Regional Chief of Contracts to find out why and put them on a Corrective Action Plan to meet its Small Business Goals. In addition, he will represent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) as Regional Advisor to the White House on AAPI Initiatives.
According to Mr. Lee, USACE has made Small Business a top priority and has one of the highest Small Business Achievements among Federal Agencies nationwide. In 2014, USACE awarded 46% or $6.9 Billion to Small Business, 25.2% or $3.8 Billion to Small Disadvantage Business, 7.2% or $1.1 Billion to Woman-owned Small Business, and 8.5% or $1.3 Billion to HUBZone Small Business.
Mr. Lee also shared the following: “the hardest job in America is to create, maintain, and grow a small business.” Most Federal agencies view Small Business as a goal and a target. In his opinion, Small Business owners risk their life savings and typically work 12 hour days, nights, and weekends to feed their family and employees. Mr. Lee’s father owned a Small Business in Hong Kong and America his whole career, and his wife has been a Small Business owner for over 20 years. This gives him a great perspective on the issues and challenges facing Small Businesses in America. The high cost of insurance, workers comp, rent, and hiring employees are driving many Small Business out of business. “I want to help Small Business get their share of Federal contracts and help them grow their company.” In addition, Mr. Lee has over 25 years of Federal Contracting experience and was Regional Chief of Contracts at three different Federal Agencies. “I know how hard it is for new Small Businesses to get Federal Contracts and I want to lobby the 9 Regions and the 50 District Offices nationwide on giving maximum opportunity to Small Business.” Mr. Lee added: “I am not satisfy with USACE just meeting its Small Business Goals. I want us to exceed it – Big Time!”