AF Small Business Programs director visits Eglin

  • Published
  • By Kevin Gaddie
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Mark Teskey, Air Force Director of Small Business Programs, visited here July 27 to highlight the importance of driving small business competition and the continuous development of the local industrial base.

Teskey met with leadership from the 96th Test Wing; Small Business Office; the Air Force Research Laboratory; the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center and the Air Force Test Center contracting office.

"The first part of my primary objective is to meet people and understand what they're doing," he said.  "The second is to educate people on what the small business program is about."

Teskey has visited eight bases this summer.

"My message is two-fold - one is the small business program is all of our responsibility," he said.  "Our industrial base depends on it.  By law, we have a responsibility to develop the small business end of the industrial base.  We also have a responsibility to generate more competition.  Congress has given all of us the responsibility, regardless of the position we're in, to execute the program."

Cherri Duval, Eglin's Small Business Office director, said her office advises the base commander on small business-related matters; conducts market research and community outreach; develops program policy; encourages local small businesses to compete and develops the industrial base at the local level.

"We support AFRL, the Armament Directorate and AFTC, which includes ground maintenance, custodial services, etc." she said.

Eglin's Small Business Office conducts periodic workshops for program managers and end users.   The workshops allow contracting officers to give information on requirements, opens discussion with attendees representing small businesses or large businesses and offer networking opportunities.

Teskey cited two upcoming initiatives.  The first provides education, training and consistency to small business program personnel.  The other is a look at Air Force- wide business processes that will provide market research, data analytics, education and customer interface.

Teskey believes the small business program will continue to play a key role at military bases and in the nation's future. 

"The Small Business Program allows the government to create future competition, and ensure choice and affordability over the next five to 20 years," he said.  "With our guidance and direction, this statutorily mandated program not only maintains, but strengthens the economy and our national security by intentionally creating free competitive enterprise."