MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Strategic Growth Partners is bringing back the 2nd annual Tribal Edge Summit, and this year we’re making it even bigger and more impactful. Join us for an unparalleled opportunity to learn, connect, and strategize around the unique advantages of Tribal 8(a) businesses.
MATCHMAKING
At this year’s summit we are excited to offer matchmaking. Please indicate if you are interested as you complete the registration process.
Flexing Tribal Partnership Advantages
when
VIP Dinner: April 23, 2025
Main Event: April 24-25, 2025
Where
InterContinental – Washington D.C. – The Wharf
About the Tribal Edge Summit
Who this event is for
All tribal businesses: Tribal 8(a)s, NHOs, ANCs & Tribal Nation Leaders
Small, medium, and large government contractors
Executive Agency Contracting & Program Officials
what you can expect
Information-packed sessions on the main stage as well as breakout sessions
Expanded networking opportunities for tribes, businesses, and partners
Strategies on how to partner with Tribal 8(a)s, ANCs and NHOs, and the advantages it brings
Access to a community of tribal organizations and GovCon businesses actively seeking mutually beneficial partnerships
Full Agenda
We are excited to present the valuable sessions that provide the most value to our audience. Please note that the agenda is subject to change as we finalize the remainder of the high-impact speakers we have invited.
8:00A – 8:50A
Breakfast
8:50A – 9:00A
Welcome & Opening Remarks
John Cook - CGO & President, Business Development BU, Strategic Growth Partners
9:00A – 9:30A
The Importance of the Small Business Programs to Include Individual 8(a)s & Entity Owned (NAT, ANC & NHO 8(a)s)
John Shoraka - CEO, Strategic Growth Partners, Former SBA Associate Administrator
9:30A – 10:00A
How the 8(a) Program Has Had a Positive Impact in Indian Country and What Impacts the New Admin Will Have on the Tribal 8(a) Small Business Programs
Chris James - President & CEO, NCAEID, Former SBA Associate Administrator
10:00A – 10:30A
Networking Break
LOBBY
10:30A – 11:15A
How to Sole Source
Moderator: Ryan Heidt - VP Business Development, Island Empire Tech Systems
Panelists:
Emil Hinkefent - President, Kaiva
Mike White - President, Puyenpa
Jae Kang - EVP, CNE Companies
11:15A – 12:00P
Motivational Speaker
Coach Larry Wade
12:00P – 1:00P
Lunch
LOBBY & MAINSTAGE ROOM
1:00P – 1:30P
M&A / Financial Investments
Saif Ahmad
1:30P – 2:15P
Mentor Protégé & Joint Ventures
Moderator: Trevor Skelly, President Small Business Advisory SBU
Panelists:
Susan Kidd - CEO, DRT Strategies & DRTConfidence
Matthew Schoonover - Managing Member at Schoonover & Moriarty LLC
Jared Townshedn - Managing Director, Joint Venture Programs, Deloitte
2:15P – 3:00P
Legal Case & Executive Order Updates
Moderator: Mark EchoHawk - Partner & Attorney at Law, Echo Hawk & Olsen PLLC
Panelists:
Therese Meers - Former SBA General Counsel
Megan Lehman - Partner & Attorney, PilieroMazza PLLC
3:00P – 3:30P
Networking Break
LOBBY
3:30P – 4:00P
Life After Your 8(a)
Steve Covey - Chief Strategy Officer, Kaiva
4:00P – 4:30P
How to Launch a Tribal 8(a) From A to Z + Economic Development
Cameron Echo Hawk - CEO, Kaiva
4:30P – 5:00P
The Benefits of Tribal 8(a) & Other Companies Hiring Veterans in Their Workforce
Eric "Doc" Wright - Founder, VETS2PM
5:00P – 6:00P
Networking Happy Hour
Sponsored by Wesco
LOCATION – SEAPORT ROOM 1
3:30P – 4:00P
Pricing Strategies & Challenges
Jon Barker - VP of Pricing, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
4:00P – 4:30P
Proposals Best Practices
Melissa Palmer - VP of Proposals, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
4:30P – 5:00P
JVs & Acquisitions
Kurt Walters - EVP of Growth Strategy, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
LOCATION – SEAPORT ROOM 2
3:30P – 4:00P
System Automation Through Data Analytics & Business Intelligence
Revus Deonauth - VP of Business Intelligence, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
4:00P – 4:30P
Indirect Rate & Accounting System Guidelines
Allison Yi - Finance Division, Back Office Support SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Robert Smith - CEO, ICAT Systems
4:30P – 5:00P
Contracts Administration
Trevor Skelly - President, Small Business Advisory SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
LOCATION – HARBOR ROOM
3:30P – 4:00P
CMMC: Cybersecurity
Adam Austin - Co-founder & Cybersecurity Lead, Totem Tech
4:00P – 4:30P
Putting the Pieces Together – Cost v. Price Analysis
Amanda Cline - Senior FLA for Non- DOD/Small Business Team, DCAA
4:30P – 5:00P
Economic Prosperity in Federal Government Contracting
Jerrod Mallinger - Chief Customer Officer, Strategic Growth Partners
8:00A – 9:00A
Breakfast
MAIN STAGE ROOM & LOBBY
9:00A – 9:10A
Day 2 Welcome
John Cook - CGO, President Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
9:10A – 9:45A
Advanced Teaming Strategies
Michael LeJeune - Partner, Federal Access Program Manager, RSM Federal
9:45A – 11:30A
Matchmaking
Tribal 8(a), ANC, NHO Matchmaking with Industry Small, Medium & Large Federal Contractors
9:45A – 11:30A
Networking Break
LOBBY
11:30A – 11:40A
Closing Remarks
John Cook - CGO, President Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
11:40A – 12:00P
Sack Lunch
12:00P
Summit End
Featured Speakers
Meet some of our featured speakers of the Tribal Edge Summit primed to share their expertise to inspire collaboration, spark ideas, and drive success through tribal partnerships.
We are currently obtaining final approvals from additional government personnel and look forward to having presenters from various agencies.
Coach Larry Wade
Elite Strength & Conditioning Coach (14 World Titles), Texas A&M HOF, Motivational Speaker
John Shoraka
CEO, Strategic Growth Partners
Former SBA Associate Administrator
Chris James
President & CEO, NCAEID
Former SBA Associate Administrator
John Cook
CGO, Strategic Growth Partners
Saif Ahmad
GP & Investor, Diversified Investment Fund
Trevor Skelly
President, Small Business Advisory SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Jerrod Mallinger
Chief Customer Officer, Strategic Growth Partners
Therese Meers
Former SBA General Counsel
Eric "Doc" Wright
Founder VETS2PM
Matthew Schoonover
Managing Member at Schoonover & Moriarty LLC
Cameron Echo Hawk
CEO, Kaiva Corporation, Economic Development Advisor, PAH Corporation & Deep Creek Corporation
Emil Hinkefent
President, Kaiva Corportion
Steve Covey
CSO, Kaiva Corporation
Mike White
President, Puyenpa Technologies LLC
Jae Kang
EVP, Cheroenhaka Nottoway Enterprises, LLC
Mark Echo Hawk
Partner & Attorney at Law, Echo Hawk & Olsen PLLC
Kurt Walters
EVP, Business Development SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Melissa Palmer
VP of Proposals, Strategic Growth Partners
Jon Barker
VP of Pricing, Strategic Growth Partners
Revus Deonauth
VP of Business Intelligence, Strategic Growth Partners
Ali Iqbal
Recruiting Division, Strategic Growth Partners
Allison Yi
Finacnce Division, Back Office SBU, Strategic Growth Partners
Adam Austin
Co-founder & Cybersecurity Lead, Totem Tech
Susan Kidd
CEO, DRT Strategies and DRTConfidence
Jared Townshend
Managing Director, Joint Venture Programs, Deloitte
Meghan Leemon
Partner & Attorney, PilieroMazza PLLC
Robert Smith
CEO, ICAT Systems
Amanda Cline
Senior FLA for Non- DOD/ Small Business Team, DCAA
Ryan Heidt
VP Business Development, Island Empire Tech Systems
Michael LeJeune
Partner, Federal Access Program Manager, RSM Federal
STAY TUNED by following us on LinkedIn and keeping an eye out for the full agenda to see a full lineup of speakers.
Sponsorship Opportunities
We’ve thoughtfully designed premier opportunities to showcase your brand while supporting the summit. View our prospectus below and send all inquiries to [email protected].
Book Your Stay
when
VIP Dinner: April 23, 2025
Main Event: April 24-25, 2025
Where
InterContinental – Washington D.C. – The Wharf
801 Wharf Street SW, Washington, DC, US
Plan your trip around the Wharf! Learn More
Learn more about Strategic Growth Partners and how we serve as a powerhouse hub for small businesses and tribal organizations competing in the federal marketplace.
