(Hanover, Md. November 8, 2011) — The Fort Meade Alliance’s Meade Business Connect (MBC) is seeking applications for its MBC Mentorship Program, which will help companies understand and navigate the unique Fort Meade government-contracting environment.

This exclusive 12-session mentorship program, scheduled to begin in January 2012, is designed to serve those Fort Meade Alliance member companies focused on providing information technology services that are serious about understanding and winning business in the Fort Meade Region. The program will match companies with proven leaders in this region who are currently successful in winning and building business.

“The purpose of the Meade Business Connect is to provide easier access to more business opportunities for our members, “ said FMA President Rosemary Budd. “This mentorship program is a tremendous opportunity to bring our member companies to the next level with informative data that will help them do business with government agencies as well as the prime contractors.”

The Mentorship Program has two designated mentors Bill Dunahoo, President of Praxis Engineering and Matthew Norris, CEO & President of Axom Technologies. Bill has led Praxis from a start-up small business to recent graduation to large business status. Matthew, a service disabled veteran, founded Axom, which posted revenue growth of more than 1200 percent over the past three years.

Bill and Matthew will be joined by executive guest speakers affiliated with CommerceFirst Bank, Lockheed Martin, M&T Bank, National Security Agency, Northrop Grumman, Praxis Engineering, SAIC, TASC and Whiteford, Taylor & Preston. These leaders will help bring our member companies to the next level with informative data that will help them do business with government agencies.

This program is targeted for FMA member companies with the following capabilities: software engineering, solutions development, mission operations, certification and accreditation, information assurance and cybersecurity.

Some of the topics covered will include Fort Meade government and prime contractor overviews; contracting requirements for businesses; business infrastructure required for federal government contracting; and teaming, developing rates and pricing.

Participants will have the opportunity to present capability briefs to experienced prime contractors and receive feedback. They will meet with top name companies in their field and gain an understanding of the federal government-contracting environment in the Fort Meade Region.

The Meade Business Connect Mentorship Program begins this winter and features 12 two-hour sessions and continues through October 2012.
The program offers two levels:
• Tract 1 ($1500) which includes the mentor sessions
• Tract 2 ($2000) which includes the mentor sessions and a two-hour, one-on-one session

Applications are due December 16, 2011. Interested companies may contact FMA General Manager Tim O’Ferrall at 410-850-4940 or visit the FMA website www.ftmeadealliance.org/mbc for more information about the Meade Business Connect.