All About Certifications
Date and Time
Tuesday Feb 25, 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST
Location
Virtual
Fees/Admission
FREE
Description
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Are you a small business owner in Georgia looking to explore the world of Federal, State, and Local contracting? If so, this class is for you! In this webinar, you will learn about the contracting assistance programs and socio-economic certifications available, including public certifications such as the WOSB, SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB/SDVOSB, DBE, the state of Georgia Business Certification Program, as well as private certifications such as the WBE or MBE.
This introductory class will provide an overview of the eligibility requirements, how to apply, and how to determine which certification program is the right one for you.
LEARN HOW TO:
- Navigate the certification process
- Review the requirements of the various certification programs
- Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of each program
- Conduct your due diligence for the pre-application process
- Determine if a public or private market certification is right for your business
PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS
Howard Dent is the Specialty Programs Manager at the UGA SBDC. He brings 25-plus years of experience in banking, finance, and entrepreneurship. Prior to his role with the SBDC, Howard held positions at Accenture, Credit Suisse, and Wells Fargo & Co., where he and his team were responsible for raising over $3 billion in capital. Howard was the founder and Managing Principal of a mortgage finance company, overseeing all daily operations. Before that, he founded and operated a specialty-finance consultancy. In his current role, Howard works with businesses in the areas of procurement, certifications, financial management and capital formation.
Tulu Kaifee is the Procurement and Finance Specialist at the UGA SBDC. She joined the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center’s Multicultural Business Division in October 2023 as a procurement and finance specialist. Tulu has spent over 20 years in the financial services industry with experience in the consumer, small business and commercial lending segments serving entrepreneurs across Georgia. Tulu’s passion to serve multicultural and underrepresented communities gives her a unique edge incorporating Inclusion, Equity and Belonging strategies to attract and retain talent in a competitive environment.
