Small business specialist recognized with DOD award

  • Published
  • By Annette Crawford
  • Secretary of the Air Force Small Business Programs
WASHINGTON (AFNS) --  The small business specialist for the 6th Air Mobility Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., was one of six individuals recognized in the Department of Defense for his efforts in going beyond goals to advance the objectives of the service-disabled veteran-owned small business, or SDVOSB, program.

Nelson Escribano received the Golden Talon Award Nov. 17 at the 2nd SDVOSB Program Awards Ceremony at the Pentagon. Gordon England, deputy secretary of defense, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. Other speakers included James I. Finley, deputy under secretary of defense for acquisition and technology.

"My congratulations and thanks (go) to all the honorees for your service to our country," Secretary England said. "Our veterans have contributed greatly to the defense of our nation and many are continuing to do so as owners and employees of small businesses. We're pleased by the success of the service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses. They're making a positive impact and we want to see these businesses continue to do well. It's good for them, it's good for us and it's good for America."

Mr. Escribano more than doubled the assigned goal of 3 percent by obligating $6.91 million, or 6.44 percent of contract dollars, to SDVOSBs. It was the third year in a row that Mr. Escribano exceeded the category goal.

Some of his other achievements include hosting a one-day SDVOSB conference in 2007, which increased to two days and doubled to more than 400 participants in 2008; partnering with industry and professional organizations to develop and provide workshops; developing and performing squadron training and assistance on the SDVOSB program; and directly collaborating with other Federal agencies to identify new sources in government procurements.

"Winning this award is a significant honor because of the sacrifices that have been made by these service-disabled veterans," Mr. Escribano said. "This is just the beginning of something bigger in purpose and better in quality for the Air Force."

Ronald A. Poussard, the director of the Secretary of the Air Force Small Business Programs, said he was proud of Mr. Escribano's efforts on behalf of small-business specialists throughout the Air Force and of his role in helping the Air Force "Beyond Goals" campaign.

"There is no other group of individuals that understands the mission of the Department of Defense like service-disabled veterans do," Mr. Poussard said. "Mr. Escribano's supreme accomplishments in opening up opportunities to service-disabled veteran-owned businesses ensured the 6th Air Mobility Wing went 'beyond goals' to bring the innovation, agility and efficiency of small businesses in support of the Air Force mission to fly, fight and win in air, space and cyberspace."

Also recognized at the ceremony were six SDVOSBs that excelled during the previous fiscal year in three areas: innovative technologies for the Warfighter; impact on the veteran and service-disabled veteran community; and growth of the SDVOSB; and five prime contractors that significantly exceeded the 3 percent annual goal for prime contractors providing subcontracting opportunities to SDVOSBs.