New Jersey Chamber of Commerce

9:00 a.m. - Overview of THE Contract Connection - Your Gateway to Government Sales

The Chamber is launching THE Contract Connection, an entity created specifically to meet the procurement needs of Chamber members. It consists of three partners who have over 70 years of comprehensive knowledge and experience in all phases of state and local government contracting. This unique blend of hard-to-find expertise will provide Chamber members with a competitive advantage when attempting to navigate the complex world of government procurement. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn specifics about THE Contract Connection, meet with the speakers and ask questions on how they can do business with the government.

THE Contract Connection Team

Henry Savelli, President, Henry Savelli & Associates
Henry Savelli has spent over 30 years in public procurement. He retired in March 2001 as assistant director of the Treasury Department, Division of Purchase and Property for the State of New Jersey, where he directly managed the Purchase Bureau, the organization that awards state contracts.

Michelle Hermelee, Government Consultant, BH SKY Associates
The founder of BH Sky Associates, Michelle Hermelee, has over ten years of unparalleled business experience procuring and negotiating government contracts with both federal and state agencies.

Patrick Guidotti, President and Sole Owner of PJG Consulting
Patrick Guidotti has over 35 years of state government experience in the areas of procurement, construction, small business certification and economic development. His current company is a business development and assistance firm specializing in government procurement and construction contracting.

Other Procurement Partners

Larry Allen, President, Coalition for Government Procurement
Larry Allen manages and directs the operations of the Coalition for Government Procurement. The Coalition is the single most effective voice for companies selling in the federal market. The Coalition will be partnering with THE Contract Connection by providing support from Washington.

Also, participating in the discussion is Lorraine Allen, Regional Director, NJ Small Business Development Center, The College of New Jersey and Sandy Davis, Director, Office of Supplier Diversity, Department of Treasury, State of New Jersey.

10:00 a.m. - Noon - Business Matchmaking

The event will feature a Business Matchmaking session, courtesy of the the NJ Office of Supplier Diversity and the NJ Department of Treasury. Small, minority and women-owned businesses will have an opportunity to be connected with purchasing officers from state agencies, universities and corporations during the morning.