Newsletter

March 2024

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Updates From Us

Your value-add council!


I would like to begin by personally thanking all who attended the 2023 Annual Stakeholders' Meeting on February 23 at CPS Energy in San Antonio, TX.


The day was filled with a look in review of the Council's 2023 successes. We also discussed challenges and how we should collaborate for a better 2024. Overall, we had great discussion led by our Chair of the Board, Dave Feldman, Supplier Chain Advisor, Chevron ; MBEIC Chair, Nicole Navarro Velesiotis, Vice-President,  Santana Group ; & event host James Massey, Manager Business Administration and Supplier Development,  CPS Energy. A special thank you goes out to CPS Energy for hosting our annual meeting!

 

Now, as we continue our event season, I would like to personally invite all of our Certified MBEs and Corporate Members to register for our upcoming  25th Anniversary Celebration Gala and the 2024 Premier Face Time Expo. The annual event will take place in San Antonio, May 29-30th. Online registration is now open AND if you register before April 19th you can save $40 per registration.  You must use code:  DISCOUNT40 on the online registration form. Discount is only valid on the Premier Face Time Expo registration. Take advantage of this early bird discount before it is too late. Please visit our website at www.smsdc.org for more details.


Sincerely,


Karen Box

SMSDC President

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From your MBEIC Chair:


Valued MBE’s,

 

I hope you are having a productive month! It was great to see everyone at our recent Stakeholder’s Meeting held in San Antonio at CPS’ headquarters. We had a wonderful turnout with lots of new and familiar faces. I am excited to hear about the connections that were made and would love to hear your feedback on how the event went for you.

 

You should have received a Save the Date for a Networking After Hours event on April 17th in Austin, hosted by VDart. While we are finalizing the details, we want to be sure you plan to join us if you are in the Austin or surrounding areas! We look forward to seeing you there. Thank you for your sponsorship VDart!

 

Please also plan to attend the following upcoming events:

 

  • April 30th – Kick-off for the 2024 Small Business Week at PNM (in-person event @PNM in Albuquerque, NM)
  • May 29th – SMSDC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Gala @ Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, TX
  • May 30th – Premier Face Time Expo @ Hyatt Regency in San Antonio, TX

 

 

Let’s continue to stay informed, show up and use our voice, particularly at this time when DEI efforts and minority business development programs are under attack!

 


Respectfully,


Nicole Navarro Velesiotis

Vice President, Santana Group

SMSDC MBEIC Chair

Eugene & Associates, PC

www.deugenelaw.com

Eugene and Associates, PC is a premier boutique education law firm that serves the greater Texas educational marketplace in providing Superintendent, CEO, and Executive search services. Eugene and Associates offers professional recruiting and staffing services in education, government, technology, and legal industries.

Ground Shipping Xpress, LLC

https://app.alvys.com/#/tracking/ground-shipping-xpress-llc

Ground Shipping Xpress, LLC is a nationwide transportation company serving all 48 states. Our fleet of 53' dry vans specializes in transporting dry freight, catering to various non-hazardous commodity sectors.

Invermex, LLC

www.pacomondragon.com

Invermex LLC, develops, builds, and leases property in Eagle Pass TX, and in South Texas area. The company has been involved in the construction of homes, commercial buildings, as well as warehouse space.

Krystal Clear Imaging, LLC

www.krystalclearimaging.com

Krystal Clear Imaging is dedicated to revolutionizing healthcare accessibility through high- quality, mobile diagnostic imaging.

NCS Services, LLC

https://ncsservices-llc.com/

We offer a wide range of plumbing services, including: new residential and commercial plumbing services; remodels and add-ons.

Quality Maintenance, Inc

www.qminewmexico.com

QMI is a janitorial company providing office cleaning, carpet cleaning, stripping and waxing, air duct cleaning and Flood restoration services. We provide services to commercial and residential clients. We work with Schools and other educational facilities.

Solution Tools Mold and Die, Inc

http://www.solution-tools.com/

Plastic Injection Mold tooling Design, Fabrication, Repairing services or tooling modifications for customer new products or engineering changes. Also offers Plastic Product manufacturing.

Triton Search LLC

https://tritonrecruiter.com/

Placing highly skilled professionals in finance, accounting, and technology.

Vuemobi Media LLC

https://vuemobi.com

Provider of digital marketing services to local businesses and organizations. Specific services include commercial/real estate photography, website design and development, and search engine optimization (SEO).

Wells TAC.Com

www.WellsTAC.com

Tactical Wireless Communications manufacturing and associated computer equipment Sales and Service for Governmental and Industry

West Texas Pressure Testing

https://www.westtexaspressuretesting.com/

West Texas Pressure Testing provides inspections, recertification, and repair services for a wide variety of oilfield equipment. WTPT provides these services by performing pressure testing also known as hydrotesting. WTPT facilities include a fully contained pressure testing bay, paint & sandblasting services, and access to a local machine shop with state-of-the-art equipment.

Analytics Automations LLC

Associated Building and Development Corp

ATD Partners

Beyond Broadband Solutions Inc.

CARBON ASSET DEVELOPER ASSOCIATES LLC

Chickasaw Management Services

Circle B Communications, LLC.

Commonwealth Trading Company

COPILASER US CORPORATION

D & B General Cleaning Contractor, Inc.

Dean Baldwin Painting, L.P.

Erives Enterprises Inc.

Esolvit Inc.,

GNA LOGISTICS LLC

Gomez Floor Covering, Inc

Intercon Carriers, L. C.

JA Oilfield Manufacturing, Inc.

KLP Commercial, LLC

Kupplin Worldwide, LLC

  

Limon's Road Service, LTD

Logisti-K USA, LLC

Longhorn Electrical Services, Inc.

Mitas Electronics, LLC

Nativeaero Industries, LLC

Pancho's Transportation Services

Pathway Services Inc.

Perma-Temp Personnel Services

QuestionPro Inc

R&B Fleet Services LLC

Ragar Transportation, Ltd.

Red Velvet Events Inc.

RF-IP, Inc.

Romedu Express, LLC

Rose's Southwest Papers, Inc.

Sarcon Construction Corp.

SOAL Technologies, LLC.

Suarez Bros. Crane & Heavy Haul

The 5125 Company

The Law Office Ricky D. Green, PLLC

V&G Dynamic Machine LLC


Certification Updates

NOT CERTIFIED YET?


It is strongly recommended to attend the MBE Pre-Certification Workshop, which is held on Wednesdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm CST.


Applicants can now schedule an appointment for a one-on-one call specific to your company.


During the call, the certification application is reviewed in detail, along with the requirements, procedures, timeframe, and benefits of being certified.


We can also discuss:

  • Criteria for Certification
  • Review of the application process
  • Answer most common application questions


Those who have successfully completed their application learned by participating in the Pre-Certification Workshop, the application process is faster.


If you have any questions on MBE Certification or to schedule your appointment email: alana@smsdc.org


New MBE Applicants: 

Register for

Pre-Certification Sessions


Participation in the information session should take place before the submittal of your application to SMSDC. 

 

All new MBE's must attend Pre-Certification & Post-Certification sessions to assist with the application process. Applicants can now schedule an appointment for One-On-One Information Sessions. The sessions are held by scheduled appointment only every Wednesday from 10am-12pm. 

 

We will discuss:

  • Criteria for Certification
  • Review of the Application Process
  • Answer most common application questions

 

To get certified you will need to meet the criteria set forth by NMSDC, complete the online application and upload all required documentation.

 

Please email Alana Ortega at alana@smsdc.org to register for the Pre-Certification Session to complete the first step in the certification process.

MBE Success Story


After first meeting at last year's SMSDC Annual Stakeholders' Meeting on February 23, 2023 in San Antonio, TX -

SMSDC Certified MBE Maxari EV and SMSDC Certified MBE Prestine Services Group Form Join Venture to Launch MAXCHARGE EV


Join us as we celebrate their success!


Key Takeaways:

 

  • Maxari EV joins with Pristine Services Group (PSG) to form MAXCHARGE EV, an integrated EV solution.
  • MAXCHARGE EV completes the trio alongside Universal EV and MAXARI EV, offering end-to-end services – manufacturing, installation, and operations & and maintenance (O&M).
  • The partnership addresses the needs of clients, providing a holistic EV charging solution, including infrastructure-as-a-service.

 

[Austin, January 29, 2024] Maxari EV, a leading nationwide installer of electric vehicle (EV) charging station solutions, announces a strategic joint venture with Pristine Services Group (PSG), a global investment firm based in Austin, TX. This collaboration marks the inception of MAXCHARGE EV, a groundbreaking initiative in the EV charging industry.

 

Pristine Services Group, led by Dennis Cruz, specializes in investing in emerging technologies across various industries, including aviation, mining, automotive, healthcare, defense, technology and transportation. MAXCHARGE EV, in partnership with Universal EV and MAXARI EV, forms a comprehensive and integrated EV solution, encompassing manufacturing, installation, and operations & maintenance.

 

The MAXCHARGE EV offering is designed to meet the demands of multifamily developers, real-estate developers as well as institutional, and public investment funds. Clients will benefit from a complete EV charging solution, including hardware and software, with the added convenience of installation, operation, and maintenance of charging stations.

 

A distinctive feature of MAXCHARGE is infrastructure-as-a-service, providing clients with a complete charging station solution, including design, procurement, installation, operations and maintenance. This allows clients to reduce economic, technological, and operational challenges associated with EV charging, all without upfront payments.

 

MAXARI EV’s CEO, Raya Guruswamy, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Dennis and the PSG team have an extensive background in scaling operations nationally and attracting key partners and investors. Creating MAXCHARGE is an ideal complement to our EV installation business unit and allows us to offer a completely integrated charging solution to clients.”

 

PSG’s CEO, Dennis Cruz, emphasized the industry's potential, stating, “The EV charging industry presents a major opportunity for institutional funds to bring a much-needed and sustainable solution to public and commercial clients. MAXARI EV’s background in charging infrastructure was the right platform for us to jointly launch MAXCHARGE and be a force for good in the industry.”

 

For additional information about Pristine Services Group, please visit www.pristineservicesgroup.com

 

For additional information about Maxari EV, please visit www.maxari.us

Headline: Maxari EV's Subsidiary, MAXCHARGE, and Universal EV Partner to Deploy 208 Fast Charging Stations Across 92 Sites in 7 States.




Key Takeaways:

  • Maxari EV's subsidiary, MAXCHARGE, partners with Universal EV to deploy 208 L3 charging stations nationwide.
  • The initiative contributes to the Build Back Better Act's goal of installing 500,000 EV charging stations by 2030.
  • The partnership exemplifies Maxari EV and MAXCHARGE’s commitment to domestic manufacturing, supporting US jobs and advancing sustainable EV infrastructure.


[Austin, Texas – January 9, 2024] Maxari EV, a nationwide installer of electric vehicle (EV) charging station solutions announces a strategic partnership between its subsidiary, MAXCHARGE, and Universal EV, a global charging station manufacturer. This collaboration marks a significant step to making progress in meeting goals of the Build Back Better Act, “by building a national network of 500,000 electric vehicle chargers along America’s highways and communities by 2030”. Through this partnership, 208 Level 3 charging stations across 92 sites in 7 States will be deployed within the next 18 months.


As an established EV infrastructure firm, Maxari EV / MAXCHARGE utilizes a team of certified experts in Engineering, Construction, Permitting, and Commissioning. This allows the company to offer comprehensive services, including site assessments, installation, maintenance, and repair of charging stations throughout the US. All services adhere to strict safety and quality standards, ensuring efficiency and resulting in significant time and cost savings.


In order to deploy chargers at scale, MAXARI EV / MAXCHARGE developed an innovative premanufacturing process at their Texas facility. This allows them to build out and mass produce EV charging racks at their workshop and ship complete sets which are immediately ready to deploy. This unique approach allows them to deliver consistent quality and improve safety and schedule with less time-on-site.


Raya Guruswamy, CEO of Maxari EV, commented, "Our collaboration with Universal EV and the establishment of MAXCHARGE underscores our dedication to fostering sustainable and resilient EV infrastructure. We’re particularly proud of our rapid and cost-effective installation processes that helps our clients grow their footprint and, ultimately, increases the public’s trust and adoption of EVs."


Hemal Doshi, CEO of Universal EV, remarked, “We’re excited to be working with MAXCHARGE as it allows us to focus on our core competency of developing and deploying reliable and high quality charging stations throughout all 50 States. Universal EV has some of the strongest charging technology and uptime in the country and we’re looking forward to bringing this to more States.”


For additional information about Maxari EV / MAXCHARGE and their national EV charger installation services, please visit www.maxari.us.



To learn more about Universal EV and their charging solutions, please visit https://universalevcharging.com.

Upcoming Events

Arelys Thomas

Supplier Diversity Lead, Global Supply Chain


Apache Corporation 

How to do Business with Apache Corporation webinar


March 21, 2024 12-1 p.m. CST


Join us on Thursday, March 21st for a webinar on How to do Business with Apache Corporation. Arelys Thomas, Supplier Diversity Lead, Global Supply Chain at Apache Corporation will present and be available for Q&A. If you are interested in learning more about how to do business with Apache Corporation, how to become a supplier and upcoming opportunities, register today!

 

 

Apache Corporation is currently looking for the following products/services:

 

Facility construction

Fluid hauling management system

Powerline buildout materials

Electrical compressor installation

Well expansion flowlines

Pressure Pumping - Fracking services

 

 

If you can provide products/services from the list below - Don't miss this event!

 

FREE for all of SMSDC's Certified MBEs!

REGISTER HERE NOW

Great opportunity for small and diverse businesses to learn how to do business with primes, network and showcase their services.

REGISTER HERE NOW

Partner Events

Thank you to our 2024 Premier Sponsors

Real Time Solutions

Contact Us

512-386-8766

www.smsdc.org

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