In her role of Program Manager of REI Oklahoma’s Minority Business Center, Susan provides guidance to help minority-owned businesses earn minority certifications, including 8(a) and HUBZone, through the US Small Business Administration.

Dean is responsible for the oversight of the Oklahoma MBDA Business Center operated by REI Oklahoma. Through the MBDA Business Center, Susan focuses on creating opportunities for minority-owned companies to achieve new growth and pursue government-related contracting opportunities.

Dean, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation Tribe, brings her own experiences as a minority small business owner. She holds firsthand knowledge in acquiring, managing and fulfilling government contracts. She is also familiar with the process and challenges associated with applying for and obtaining crucial certifications from a business owner perspective, which is beneficial to clients seeking long-term results in the federal contracting market.

Amanda Smith is the President of Mahuya Industries, a construction and project management firm. Prior to starting Mahuya Industries in 2018, her career in construction began at Texas Motor Speedway with a short transition into the legal industry working in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice.

In addition to building her own business, Amanda has successfully helped other small businesses grow and increase their capacity. Her passion for helping small businesses grow led to her involvement and the formation of the Native American Business Association (NABA). She currently serves as President where she works to increase awareness of Native-owned businesses, increase Native participation, spend, cultural awareness and representation.

Amanda holds an MBA and Graduate Certificate in Project Management from UT Dallas and BS in Paralegal Studies from Texas Wesleyan University.

David Hoffmeier is a Certified Contracting Assistance Specialist for the Oklahoma APEX Accelerators. His office is currently located at Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center in Choctaw, OK. David helps small businesses compete for and win federal, state and local government contracts, providing them with the marketing know-how and technical tools to obtain and perform successfully. David has counseled business for the OK APEX since 1998.

The Oklahoma APEX has helped clients receive billions from government contracts. These contract dollars create or retain jobs for Oklahoma workers. OK APEX serves more than 1,000 clients each year and its counselors average almost 4,000 counseling hours annually.

Prior to working with the OK APEX, Mr. Hoffmeier served in U.S. Coast Guard for 11 years. He was a member of the Presidential Honor Guard in Washington D.C. David also served aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Woodrush, stationed in Sitka, Alaska, where he honed his procurement and logistics knowledge. The USCGC Woodrush worked Aids to Navigation of the inside passage from Ketchikan, to Haines & Skagway.