Philadelphia Post Small Business Conference

DoubleTree Center City
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Update: Due to the government shut down. The date of the event has been moved so that the government folks can still attend.

Join us for a day of agency briefings and networking! In previous years we have had attendees from USACE, Delaware River Port Authority, and Southeast PA PTAC.

Booking through our hotel booking link offers you a discount.

Hotel Booking Link

Schedule

* Schedule is subject to change! *

12/2 – Ice Breaker

7:00pm

Join us for networking on Tuesday 12/2 at 7pm, the evening before the conference at the Standing O Bar and Bistro inside the conference hotel, DoubleTree by Hilton Philadelphia Center City. Appetizers will be provided. Make reservations soon if you plan to stay at the hotel, the Eagles and Giants will be playing at 1pm at the Linc.

12/3 – Main Event

8:15 AM – 9:00 AM Registration, Exhibit set up

9:00AM – 9:30 AM Networking

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM Welcome/Announcements

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM USACE Baltimore District Opportunities | Michael Stearns, Deputy for Small Business Programs

10:30 AM – 11:00 AM U.S.C.G Investment in the Cape May Training Center | Sarah A Krolman, Commander, Deputy Program Manager, Waterways Commerce Center

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization | Andrew W. Tulli, Deputy Associate Administrator / GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU)

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Exhibit Networking

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Networking Lunch On-Site, Special Presentation

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic | Jesse An, Resident Officer in Charge of Construction

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM USACE Philadelphia District Contract Opportunities | James Wood, Deputy for Small Business Programs

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Exhibit Networking

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Small Business Concerns Discussion: APEX Accelerator/Naval Surface Warfare Center-Philadelphia Division

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Event Closing, Networking

Bios

  • CMDR Sarah A Krolman, USCG. As Shore Operations and Aviation Facilities Program Manager for the Coast Guard’s newly established Shore Acquisition office, Commander Krolman is excited to shape the future of Coast Guard Military Construction.  Her current portfolio consists of the $425 million investment in Training Center Cape May; a more than $400 million investment in Coast Guard aviation facilities upgrades throughout the country; as well as constructing 27 homeports for the Waterways Commerce Cutter acquisition program. Previously, she was a Program Analyst for and Deputy Program Manager of the Waterways Commerce Cutter Program Management Office. As Deputy Program Manager, she was responsible for the $1.6 billion Department of Homeland Security Level I acquisition program to recapitalize capabilities of the Coast Guard’s aging fleet of 35 river tenders, construction tenders, and inland buoy tenders. A 2007 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Commander Krolman holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. She earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois in 2010.  She completed her Joint Professional Military Education thru the United States Naval War College in 2019. Commander Krolman is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Virginia, a Project Management Professional, and holds a DHS Program Manager Level III certification
  • James Wood, USACE. James is serving as the Deputy for Small Business Programs for the Army Corps of Engineers in Philadelphia District. He oversees the District Small Business Program and is the principal advisor to the Commander and his staff on acquisition and small business matters. James has over 10 years of Federal Contracting Experience as a Contract Specialist, Procurement Analyst and Contracting Officer. He has spent most of his civilian career at Military Sealift Command (MSC) in Norfolk, VA as a Contracting Officer. He started his federal career with the PA and then VA Army National Guard, primarily and most recently as a Finance Officer out of Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR). James is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He grew up a “Floridian” but enjoys living in rural Philadelphia.
  • Andrew W. Tulli | Deputy Associate Administrator / GSA Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU). Andrew Tulli is the Deputy Associate Administrator for GSA OSDBU. In his role, Andrew has nationwide responsibility for GSA’s small business programs and is the chief advocate for small and socioeconomic small businesses. OSDBU promotes increased access to GSA’s nationwide procurement opportunities and engages in activities to assist the small business community with counseling, training and resources to help navigate the federal procurement process. Andrew also reviews, trains and advises the agency on proposed policies and regulations that impact the small business program. Additionally, he also tracks and monitors the agency’s performance against its prime small business and subcontracting goals. Andrew earned his MBA from Philadelphia University in 2010, and started as a Contract Specialist with the GSA Public Buildings Service that same year. While with GSA Public Buildings Service Andrew obtained his FAC-C Level III in Contracting and became a warranted Contracting Officer later serving as the Industry Engagement Lead and AbilityOne Representative with the PBS Office of Acquisition Management. Previously Andrew served as the Associate Director, Small Business Programs at Defense Logistics Agency, Distribution.
  • LCDR Jesse K. An, NAVFAC. An is a native of Northridge, CA. He graduated from United States Naval Academy in May 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering. LCDR An was in the submarine community before redesignating to the CEC community. His duty assignments as a CEC Officer are as follows: Construction Manager in ROICC MCB Camp Lejeune, Assistance Public Works Officer in PWD Indian Head, and Alfa 6 in Amphibious Construction Battalion ONE. Lieutenant Commander An assumed duties as a FEAD, Public Works Department Pennsylvania in May 2025. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of California, Acquisition Professional certified, PW Level III certified, and qualified as a Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist. His personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards) and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
  • Michael Stearns, USACE. Mr. Michael Stearns serves as the Deputy for Small Business for Baltimore District.  Prior to rejoining Baltimore in July 2023, he served as the Master Planner and Chief of Project Management Branch for the Directorate of Public Works (DPW) in Brunssum, Netherlands.  He has nearly 20 years of federal service with USACE (i.e., Baltimore, Afghanistan Engineering, Gulf Region, Europe, New England, and Portland Districts), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Portland, Oregon), and DPW.  Other prior positions held include Project Engineer, Office Engineer, and Contract Specialist.  Mr. Stearns earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Minor in Economics from the Pennsylvania State University.

Exhibitors

Instructions – Small Business and Agency Tables in Exhibit area

  • All small business exhibitors will receive a 6’ x 30” table, no electricity will be provided. Tables selection is on a first-come, first-served basis and will be setup in the foyer outside of the Independence Ballroom.
  • Exhibits can be setup any time after 8:30 AM and must be setup by 9:00am.
  • Take down after 3:30 PM

Event Sponsors