Inaugural Mid-Atlantic Small & Diverse Business Expo (SDBX) a Success

July 12, 2022

Inaugural Mid-Atlantic Small & Diverse Business Expo (SDBX) a Success

On Thursday, June 30, 2022, hundreds of small and diverse business leaders gathered with Clark executives, prime businesses, and certifying agencies to learn about upcoming opportunities and network. This inaugural event created a platform for small and diverse businesses to understand Clark’s small business commitments and how to navigate the procurement process, as well as federal, state, and local procedures for gaining certification in each jurisdiction.

The day began with remarks from Robby Moser, chief executive officer, Wes Stith, senior vice president of purchasing, Nyelle Barley, strategic projects manager, and Antonio Doss, SBA deputy associate administrator. The program featured panel discussions on Preparing to Compete for Federal Opportunities, Developing Your Business To Rebuild America’s Transportation Infrastructure, and Advancing Through State and Local Opportunities, as well as a special session, Building Together With Clark, which provided information about the process for bidding on new opportunities with Clark. The morning also featured a matchmaking session with prime businesses.

SDBX attendees had the opportunity to hear from state and local certifying agency leadership on the requirements and benefits of certification.
SDBX attendees had the opportunity to hear from state and local certifying agency leadership on the requirements and benefits of certification

Over lunch, Maryland Secretary of Commerce Mike Gill and Washington, DC Deputy Mayor John Falchiccio shared inspiring remarks followed by a panel of Strategic Partnership Program alumni entrepreneurs who discussed their business’ journey. After lunch, over 45 prime businesses and 10 certifying agencies connected with attendees and shared resources during the Networking and Exhibitor Fair. The day concluded with Clark leaders sharing upcoming project opportunities for a variety of trades. 

The Networking and Exhibitor Fair provided attendees the opportunity to network and learn about opportunities for work across DC, Maryland, and Virginia

“The SDBX conference comes at an important time for our region as we emerge from the pandemic. We at Clark see significant opportunities in the building industry over the next few years, both in the private commercial markets as well as with institutional and public sector owners,” Wes Stith, shared during his opening remarks. Clark developed SDBX “to talk about those opportunities, and more importantly, to help [small and diverse businesses] get ready.”

Clark CEO addresses participants of the inaugural SDBX

Clark is committed to fostering inclusive growth, both in the building industry and within the communities we serve. Last year, Clark committed to achieving at least 15% small or disadvantaged business participation on all projects that do not have an otherwise stated mandate. In order to achieve that 15% goal and strengthen Clark’s network of diverse business partners, Clark created SDBX as a platform to build connections and foster relationships. SDBE15 and SDBX are deliberate investments in the future of the industry. 

As Robby Moser shared in his address to the small and diverse business leaders in attendance, “if we’re going to build what matters, we have to do it together.”

Speakers at SDBX Included: 

  • Antonio Doss, Deputy Associate Administrator, US Small Business Administration 

  • Amy Kim, Area Director of Area 2, US Small Business Administration

  • James Lloyd, Office of Small Business Programs, Office of the Secretary of the US Army

  • Judith Stackhouse, Zone 3 Manager, US General Services Administration

  • Bradley Mims, Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration

  • Darren Brown, Assistant Division Administrator, Virginia Department of Transportation

  • Meshelle Howard, Director of Small Business Programs, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

  • Vashti Pyatt, Outreach Coordinator, Maryland Department of Transportation

  • Jonathan Butler, Director of the Office of Central Services, Prince George’s County

  • Richard Gordon, Transportation Business Development Specialist, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity

  • Chris Lundy, Chief of Baltimore City’s Minority and Women’s Business Opportunity Office

  • Kristi Whitfield, Director of DC Department of Small and Local Business Development

  • John Falcchiccio, Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, Washington, DC

  • Mike Gill, Secretary of Commerce, State of Maryland

  • Teresa Luna, CEO, Luna Concrete

  • Casey Gwei, Vice President, United General Contractors

  • Kelly Gallagher, President and Co-Founder, EverLights

  • Cheo Hurley, Founder, President, and CEO, THG Companies


If you are interested in working with Clark, please send your company’s capabilities to [email protected].