Progress Report of the Pilot Mentorship Program — Small Business and Supplier Diversity (July 8, 2024)

Summary

This is a Progress Report of the Pilot Mentorship Program dated July 8, 2024 from Willis A. Morris, Director of the Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity, to Honorable General Assembly Members. The report says legislation (HB815) from the 2022 General Assembly session required a pilot mentorship program, and that SBSD selected GENEDGE Alliance, with an emphasis on manufacturing, and W.M. Jordan Company, with an emphasis on construction. For the GenEdge program, the report states that 19 applications were received and 4 were selected. For the Jordan program, a memorandum of understanding was signed on January 24, 2024 and 10 participants were selected. Molina Healthcare of Virginia encountered a few barriers to moving forward with a Community Health Worker Certification Program.

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Full text

                       COA-'IMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
                      Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity



                                       ft.JO,.A
To:    Honorable General Assembly Members

From: Willis A. Morris, Director
      Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity

Date: July 8, 2024

CC:    Laura L. Wilborn, Division of Legislative Automated Systems

Re:    Progress Report of the Pilot Mentorship Program

The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity ("DSBSD") was
established and granted statutory powers under §§ 2.2-1603 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.
Section 2.2-1606 of the Code grants certain powers and duties to the DSBSD, which
specifically includes, inter alia, the duty to "[i] implement any remediation or enhancement
measure for small, women-owned, or minority-owned business as may be authorized by the
Governor pursuant to subsection C of § 2.2-4310 and develop regulations, consistent with
prevailing law, for program implementation."

During the 2022 General Assembly session, legislation (HB815) was passed, which required
the Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD) to establish and administer
a pilot mentorship program. SBSD as mandated under VA Code 52.2-1605.1 established a
pilot program. As part of this duty, the DSBSD Director is required to report to the General
Assembly on the progress of the initial group as required.

       § 2.2-1605.1. Mentorship program.
       B. In establishing the pilot program under subsection A, the Department shall by July I,
       2023, select an initial group of established businesses, subject matter experts in relevant
       industry sectors, and start-up women-owned and minority-owned businesses. The
       Department shall by July J, 2024, report on the progress of the initial group pursuant to
       § 2.2-1610, but shall not select a second group unless directed to do so in legislation
       enacted by the General Assembly.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact me at
willis.morris@sbsd.virginia.gov or 804-3 71-8134.

Sincerely,


Willis A. Morris
Director


              10 l N. 14"' Street, l l'i. Floor • Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax (804) 786-9736
Page 2 of7



Preface

During the 2022 General Assembly session, legislation (HB815) was passed, which required the
Department of Small Business & Supplier Diversity (SBSD) to establish and administer a pilot
mentorship program. SBSD as mandated under VA Code 52.2-1605.1 established and
administered a pilot program. The mentorship program partnered established businesses or
subject matter experts in relevant industry sectors with start-up women-owned and minority­
owned businesses, where the established businesses acted as mentors to the start-ups. SBSD
selected GENEDGE Alliance (GENEDGE) with an emphasis on manufacturing and W.M.
Jordan Company with an emphasis on construction services as established businesses and/or
subject matter experts in relevant industry sectors. These entities provided ongoing guidance and
information to start-up women-owned and minority-owned businesses to carry out the purpose
and intent of the program.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has initiated a pilot program under the Department of Small
Business and Supplier Diversity to provide mentorship for up to ten (10) start-up Women-owned
and/or Minority-owned businesses operating in the Commonwealth. The mentorship program
will run for a period of twelve (12) months, during which time mentors will provide training,
guidance, advice, and support to their proteges.

The program was structured with a combination of tailored and group training sessions with
direct communication between mentors and proteges with the goal of identifying future business
opportunities and potential areas for growth. At the conclusion of the initial term of the program,
proteges and mentors will provide feedback on the program and DSBSD will report the results to
the General Assembly and make recommendations for future iterations.

Executive Summary

The A.L. Philpott Manufacturing Extension Partnership, doing business as GENEDGE Alliance,
was established as a political subdivision of the Commonwealth to help create and maintain
industrial and manufacturing jobs. GENEDGE is experienced in industrial training and
technology transfer programs in the Commonwealth and has access to Federal Grant funds to
support the creation and implementation of the program. The Department of Small Business and
Supplier Diversity reviewed GENEDGE's Emerging Business Program and has determined that
it is consistent with SBSD's mission and goals and the legislatively mandated Mentorship
program, and asked GENEDGE to provide and manage a start-up women-owned and/or
minority-owned business mentorship program on behalf of SBSD under GENEDGE's Emerging
Business Program. GENEDGE agreed to provide and manage the start-up program, called
LEVELING UP: VIRGINIA SMALL BUSINESS AND SUPPLIER DIVERSITY'S MENTOR
PROTEGE PROGRAM.

W.M. Jordan Company with headquarters in Newport News has a long history of mentoring
minority and women-owned businesses through a combination of its own internal and Federal
Small-Business Administration's mentor-protege programs. The Department of Small Business
and Supplier Diversity reviewed W.M. Jordan Company's Mentor-Protege Program and has
determined that it is consistent with SBSD's mission and goals and the legislatively mandated



               101 N. 14 "' Street, 11 Floor• Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax (804) 786-9736
Page 3 of7



Mentorship program, and asked W.M. Jordan Company to assist SBSD in providing and
managing a start-up women-owned and/or minority-owned business mentorship program via
W.M. Jordan Company's Mentor-Protege Program.




             101 N. l 4'h Street, 11 '\ Floor • Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax (804) 786-9736
Page 4 of7



                   Leveling UP: Virginia Small Business & Supplier Diversity's
                                 Pilot Mentor Protege Program

GenEdge Alliance - Manufacturing

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SBSD and GenEdge signed on June 27, 2023.

Advertisement of Pilot Program and email invitations sent out to SWaM Woman and/or Minority
vendors with a business category of Manufacturing on June 28, 2023.

Virtual training is self-paced, and counseling is scheduled with participants. Each business must
complete a business assessment before beginning training. Curriculum includes following
topics:

   ./ Assessment
   ./ Marketing and Outreach
   ./ Program Management
   ./ Intake Management
   ./ Online Mentoring/Counseling Sessions (up to 16 hours included)

Participants anticipated completion of this self-paced program in about 4-6 months.

GenEdge facilitates/monitors the program and counseling sessions on topics relative to the
manufacturing industry.

Cost of program $2000 - sponsored by GenEdge, participants required to pay $600 up front to
GenEdge and will be reimbursed upon completion of the program. Per the MOU, SBSD will be
reimbursing GenEdge after an invoice has been submitted.

19 applications received and 4 were selected based on meeting criteria of the program (to include
verification of NAICS codes for manufacturing). Selected participants were notified and were
required to sign a Confidentiality and Participation Agreement upon acceptance.

SBSD meets with mentors for biweekly (or as needed) updates on participants.

List of Participants:

    };>-   Virginia's Finest Chocolates, Williamsburg will complete final coaching session by July
           12 - GenEdge will finalize case study and surveys and will provide her with next steps.
           SBSD to follow up with participant.

    };>-   Onai Botanicals, Virginia Beach - dropped out of program - did not complete SWaM
           application process.

    };>-   Hoot All Natural, Norfolk- dropped out due to health issues.




                  101 N. 14 11, Street, l l'h Floor • Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax (804) 786-9736
Page 5 of7



    Don Sebastian Salsa, Midlothian - completed final coaching last week - GenEdge will
     finalize case study and surveys and will provide her with next steps. SBSD to follow up
     with participant.

    Total Protection & Privacy, Vi.rginia Beach - currently interested in the manufacturing
     program, however, has yet to complete his SWaM application.

GenEdge will conduct a follow up survey with each participant, provide a program summary and
will partner with SBSD to provide a certificate of completion.




              101 N. 14' Street, l l'h Floor• Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax (804) 786-9736
Page 6 of7



W.M. Jordan Company - Construction
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SBSD and W.M. Jordan Company signed on
January 24, 2024.

Advertisement and email invitations sent out to SWaM vendors with a business category of
Construction- February 2024.

Applications were reviewed and 10 participants were selected (W.M. Jordan would add up to 2
additional participants from their market area.) Selected participants invited to participate and
required to sign a Confidentiality and Participation Agreement.

10 SWaM participants (Woman and/or Minority).

Training is 1 hour, once a month (typically 1 st Wednesday of the month). This is a hybrid class
as participants my join in person at WMJ Richmond office or virtually.

Classes began April 3 and will end November with a in-person graduation in early December
(details TBD).

W.M. Jordan Company facilitates/monitors sessions taught by subject matter experts provided by
W.M. Jordan. SBSD participates in the sessions and meets with mentors as needed for updates.

No cost to the participants. Each session is recorded, and a copy will be provided to each
participant upon completion of program. Curriculum includes following topics:

       • Session 1 Intro/Safety
       • Session 2 Accounting
       • Session 3 Estimating
       • Session 4 Project Management
       • Session 5 Site Supervision
       • Session 6 Enterprise/lnfonnation Technology
       • Session 7 Marketing/Business Development
       • Session 8 Wrap-Up & Close Program
       • Session 9 Graduation (In-person in Richmond)

Reading assignments and session evaluations are to be completed by each participant after each
class/topic. W.M. Jordan and/or SBSD will meet with each participant as needed for questions
and additional resources.

List of Participants
D&G Multi Services LLC                               Richmond
CLG PAINTING SERVICES INC                            Richmond
Countrywide Building LLC                             Fredericksburg
Ives Contracting                                     Virginia Beach



               10 I N. 14• Street, 11'1' Floor • Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax (804) 786-9736
Page 7 of7



Yaya Contracting Inc.                              Richmond
The Mattocks Group LLC                             Woodbridge
Krypton Contractors LLC                            Moseley
Royal Flush Plumbing & Services LLC                Richmond
Legacy Builders & Construction                     Henrico
Capitol Metro Contracting LLC                      Alexandria

Upon completion of the program, W.M. Jordan will provide a complete assessment and final
participation survey. SBSD will also follow up with participants and provide ongoing support if
needed.

Molina Healthcare of Virginia - Community Health Worker Certification Program

Several meetings and discussion were held with Molina Healthcare of Virginia about how to
partner to include this industry to the pilot program.

Molina is in the process of restructuring the curriculum but encountered a few barriers
preventing them from moving forward with the program. SBSD waiting to hear back from
Molina about next steps.




              101 N. 14'1' Street, I l'h Floor• Richmond, Virginia 23219 • (804) 786-6585 • Fax(804) 786-9736


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