NBDC News

NBDC RECOGNIZES NOCA PARTICIPATION On January 18, NBDC recognized five members of the North Omaha Contractor's Alliance (NOCA) for becoming active participants in the NBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAC). The ceremony was held at the Technology Business Center in Omaha, and recognition was conducted by Bob Bernier, NBDC director and assistant dean of UNO's College of Business Administration. NOCA members recognized will receive support services from PTAC counselors in selling their products and services to city, county, state, and federal agencies. Initially PTAC will assist each contractor with completing required paperwork for doing business with Douglas County, NE and then the City of Omaha, NE new Tier I and Tier II ordinance. Pictured from left: Andy Alexander (NBDC PTAC counselor), Preston Love (Executive Director of the NOCA), Bob Bernier (director of NBDC), Freeman Coleman of Coleman Construction (NOCA president), Houston McKell III of McKell's Construction (NOCA treasury), Larry Helm of Tommy Lawrence Construction, Lamond Wilburn of Wilburn Construction (NOCA vice president), Theo Coleman of TNC Construction, Willie Brye of Brye Construction, and Roger Johnson (NBDC PTAC counselor).
CONSULTANTS FACILITATE WEB CONFERENCE Jenny Nelson [left], (USDA) and Cliff Mosteller [center], NBDC-Omaha Center Director were the Omaha facilitators at a state-wide video conference from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Friday, January 8. During the "Rural Jobs and Small Business Credit Forum." Andy Alexander [right], NBDC Procurement Technical Assistance Program Manager spoke to the forum on the local and statewide economy and the impact of government contracting.
SMALL BUSINESS MANAGER JOINS CONSULTING STAFF Christopher Toscano is a new graduate assistant with the EntrepreneurShop. Christopher is originally from Omaha, NE and has also lived in Phoenix, AZ and Denver, CO. He graduated with a bachelor of science in Computer Information Systems from the Metropolitan State College of Denver. Christopher’s prior experience includes working in and managing a small family business from start-up through transition to new ownership and both sales and information technology at Qwest Communications. He will provide a full range of services to all NBDC clients while pursuing a dual master’s degree program in Business Administration and Information Systems at UNO.
NEW CONSULTANT IS MULTILINGUAL Aretha Prodjinotho is a new graduate assistant with the EntrepreneurShop. Originally from Benin (West Africa), she is currently pursuing a dual master’s degree in Business Administration and Management Information Systems at UNO. She graduated with a Marketing Management degree from Bellevue University in 2007. Aretha gained professional experience at Metropolitan Community College and Bellevue University and co-wrote an Integrated Marketing Communications plan to promote trade and investment between the US and the kingdom of Morocco. Aretha speaks French and Russian and will provide a full range of services to NBDC clients.
WATERS RECEIVES 2009 POLLUTION PREVENTION AWARDS FROM NATIONAL GROUP Among the winners of the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) awards, the Pollution Prevention Resource Exchange (P2Rx) received a publication award for the 2009 P2Rx Calendar. Jean Waters, P2Rx coordinator, was named a Pollution Prevention Champion for her contributions and commitment. Waters is pictured with Jeff Burke, NPPR executive director, and Mike Johanns, U.S. senator from Nebraska.
August 2009 In a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug 21, NBDC officially opened its new office in Auburn. Staffed by Julie Wilhelm, NBDC procurement counselor, the office will provide government contracting assistance to businesses in southeast Nebraska. The new office is being funded under a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense. Pictured from left: Pete Kotsiopulos, vice president for University Affairs; Bob Bernier, NBDC director; Bob Engles, Auburn mayor; and Lou Pol, dean, UNO's College of Business Administration. More Grand Opening pics.