NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop - HONOLULU

Please join us for our FY26 Mentor-Protégé Workshop hosted by NIPOA, UNALAKLEET & GRS on TUESDAY, JULY 14 2026 from 7:30am - 3:00pm.
About this Event

NIPOA-UNALAKLEET-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop- HONOLULU

Please join us for our FY26 Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop hosted by Nipoa Standard (Nipoa) and Global Resource Solutions, Inc. (GRS) on behalf of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs.

TUESDAY, JULY 14 2026 from 7:30am-3:00pm (Honolulu) at the AC HOTEL HONOLULU – 111 BISHOP STREET HONOLULU, HI 96813.

This is a private event. Event security reserves the right to deny entry to, or remove, any individual whose behavior is deemed disruptive, threatening, unsafe, or otherwise inconsistent with the purpose of the event. Registration or RSVP does not guarantee admission.

Registration is open to Small Business, Large Business, DoW Mentors, DoW Protégés, potential Mentor-Protégé participants, Government and Academia Representatives. Attendees must be owners or employees of the company.

Please complete the registration form as you would like it to appear on your name badge.

There are a limited number of seats, so please REGISTER as early as you can.

Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis!

The workshop is IN-PERSON ONLY and will be held TUESDAY, JULY 14 2026 from 7:30am-3:00pm (Honolulu Time), with the first speaker going on at 9:00am.

The event will take place at the: AC HOTEL HONOLULU – 111 BISHOP STREET HONOLULU, HI 96813

Please contact: [email protected] for any questions.

The Agency: The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. The Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. The Air Force Office of Small Business Programs (SAF/SB) actively supports the various small business programs that assist in meeting the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win... in air, space and cyberspace. The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

The Hosts:

Nipoa Standard LLC (Nipoa) is a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned, U.S. Small Business Administration-certified 8(a) small business serving a broad range of federal customers. Nipoa provides comprehensive mission support across real estate asset management, building design and construction administration, facilities support services, property and facility management, construction management, engineering services, general management services, remediation and waste services, specialized security solutions, and precision component manufacturing. Federal law provides unique contracting advantages for NHO-owned 8(a) firms, including the ability to receive large, negotiated, direct awards. This enables the Department of War (DoW) and other federal agencies to issue awards quickly and efficiently while ensuring a seamless transition, continuity of operations, and a sustained commitment to exceptional performance.

Founded in 2006, Global Resource Solutions, Inc. (GRS) is at the forefront of providing operational, strategic, and technical support and solutions throughout the Federal government. GRS maintains deep domain knowledge and strong past performance in the areas of Intelligence Analysis and Operations, Cybersecurity, Security Solutions, Information Technology, and Strategic Consulting. GRS is an Active Mentor in the DoW Mentor-Protégé Program.

The Program: The Department of War (DoW) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) was established under Public Law 101-510, Section 831, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 1991. It is a statutorily mandated program under 10 USC 4902.

The purpose of the program is to provide incentives for major Department of Defense contractors to furnish small business concerns with assistance designed to-

(1) enhance the capabilities of small business concerns to perform as subcontractors and suppliers under Department of Defense contracts and other contracts and subcontracts; and

(2) increase the participation of such business concerns as subcontractors and suppliers under Department of Defense contracts, other Federal Government contracts, and commercial contracts.

Since 1991, DoW MPP has offered substantial assistance to small businesses. The DoD MPP assists small businesses (protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with typically large companies (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements.

For more information please visit the Department of War Mentor-Protégé Program Website: https://business.defense.gov/Programs/Mentor-Protege-Program/

Thank you for registering for the workshop. Please keep your tickets handy, either in the Eventbrite app or print them out and bring them with you.

SPEAKERS

Mr. David Sikora - United States Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program - PENTAGON

Mr. David Sikora is the Acquisition Program Manager for the Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program. The mission of the Air Force Mentor Protégé program is to develop small businesses through technology transfer that results in small business sources of supply and services for Air Force prime contracts and subcontracts. Mr. Sikora previously served as the Air Force Small Business Innovative Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) and Technology Transfer Program Manager. and Mr. Sikora has a wealth of experience leveraging industry, academia, and private sector research. Before entering government service, He worked as a design/project engineer in the paper machine and environmental equipment industries.

Mr. Sikora received his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton and his M.B.A. from Wright State University.

Ms. Ailie Souriolle - Director, PACAF Small Business Program, United States Air Force

Ms. Ailie Souriolle is the Director of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Small Business Programs. In this role, she is responsible for:

• Advocating for and supporting small businesses within the PACAF command.
• Promoting the use of small businesses in the defense industrial base.
• Ensuring small businesses can adapt to new security environments.
• Increasing competition in the U.S. economy by leveraging small businesses.
• Helping the nation avoid supply chain vulnerabilities with the help of small businesses.

Ms. Souriolle's role emphasizes the importance PACAF places on engaging with the small business community.

Ms. Hazel Beck - Deputy District Director at U.S. Small Business Administration

Before joining the SBA in August 2021, Hazel served as the Director of the SoCal Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), hosted by Mira Costa College, in Carlsbad, CA , from June 2018 to July 2021 and the Director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC@WBDC) in Chicago from October 2015 to May 2018. She was responsible for the overall management of the VBOC, ensuring that business development services were provided to transitioning active duty service members, Guard, Reserve, Veterans and military-connected family members. Prior to her work in Chicago, she served as the Center Director for the Hawai’i Small Business Development Center (SBDC) located in Kailua Kona on Hawai’i Island for 6.5 years. The SBDC provided a range of business consulting services to aspiring entrepreneurs, start-up companies and existing businesses.Prior to coming to Hawai’i, Hazel owned and managed three consulting companies from 1990 through 2006. Hazel holds a B.A. in Business Management, cum laude, from Hiram College. She is a Veteran of the United States Navy.

Ms. Mary Moriarty - President & Founder, Nipoa Standard LLC

Mary Moriarty is the founder of Nipoa’s first 8(a) subsidiary and President of Nipoa’s 8(a) subsidiary group. Mary is responsible for the daily operations of Nipoa’s for profit division. She began her career at Turner Construction, and later Hawaiian Dredging, as a construction manager and engineer. She has completed multi-phase projects for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation San Francisco regional office and the Transportation Security Administration at airports throughout Hawaii and the Pacific.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona. She is Native Hawaiian and raised on the islands of Kauai and Oahu.

Mr. Josh Stowers - Principal / Government Market Sector Leader, HGA

Josh Stowers leads the Government Market Sector at HGA, where he shapes strategy, drives performance, and builds meaningful partnerships across the public sector. With a national reach, he helps government agencies and private organizations navigate complex projects with clarity and confidence.

Bringing over 25 years of architectural and project leadership experience, Josh has led major projects for government, corporate, and commercial projects, including large federal campuses and Fortune 500 headquarters. His expertise spans strategic planning and complex stakeholder coordination. Clients appreciate his ability to translate big-picture goals into actionable solutions — all delivered with a down-to-earth, collaborative approach.

Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - Director, DoW Mentor-Protégé Program, Global Resource Solutions, Inc.

Shehan Goonewardene is a strategic leader with over 18 years of extensive experience with the Department of War (DoW) Mentor-Protege Program (MPP). He has successfully led and managed multiple mentor-protege programs at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Activity (NGA), Defense Intelligence Activity (DIA) and the United States Air Force (USAF). Under Shehan's leadership GRS has secured multiple Nunn-Perry Awards from the Department of Defense. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside and a M.B.A. in Management and Leadership from the University of La Verne.

Agenda

🕑: 07:30 AM - 08:50 AM
Registration and Networking Breakfast
Host: NIPOA + GRS

Info: Registration and Networking Breakfast

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
WELCOME FROM AIR FORCE & OVERVIEW OF AIR FORCE MENTOR PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM
Host: MR. DAVID SIKORA - PENTAGON- AF SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE

Info: Overview of the DoW and AF Mentor-Protege Program.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AM
Q&A - DoW MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAM
Host: MODERATOR: Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - GRS

Info: Learn the difference between the DoW program and the SBA program.

🕑: 09:45 AM - 10:15 AM
HOW TO SUBCONTRACT TO A LARGE PRIME CONTRACTOR
Host: Mr. Josh Stowers - HGA

Info: Learn how to navigate large prime contractors needs and win subcontract work.

🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AM
KEYNOTE: HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH PACIFIC AIR FORCES (PACAF)
Host: MS. ALIE SOURILLE, DIRECTOR-PACAF SMALL BUSINESS OFFICE

Info: Overview of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Small Business Program Office.

🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
OVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING AS A SMALL BUSINESS - LESSONS LEARNED
Host: Ms. Mary Moriarty - NIPOA

Info: Lessons learned from a small business perspective.

🕑: 11:15 AM - 11:25 AM
Networking Break

Info: Networking Break

🕑: 11:25 AM - 12:00 PM
Small Business Resources Panel
Host: SBA - Ms. Hazel Beck

Info: Learn about all the free small business resources available for your company.

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Q&A Open Discussion
Host: MODERATOR: Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - GRS
🕑: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Host: NIPOA + GRS