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You don’t want to miss this segment. Get ready for an exciting and interactive session of roundtable conversations with top corporations. Make excellent connections with many outstanding corporations and learn more about their opportunities and procurement processes.
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Ron Holmes
Operations/Supply Chain Manager
Ron Holmes is currently a Sr. Manager on Apple’s Supplier Diversity team. Ron brings more than 25 years of experience in the technology industry to the role as well as a passion for seeing small and diverse businesses succeed. He has been with Apple since 2005 and during this time has lead efforts in Materials Management, Strategic Supplier Deals, and most recently in Corporate Procurement (Indirect). Ron currently facilitates multiple staff programs and is he is working with Apple’s Marketing & Advertising Groups, Technology Teams, and Apple’s Real Estate & Development Team (which includes facilities and construction management).
Born and bred in California, Ron attended San Jose St. University locally, and graduated from Pepperdine University with a Master’s in Business. Ron is a huge Golden State Warriors fan, who loves listening to Jazz and walks a 9 miles per day.
Timothy McLaughlin
Director of Supplier Diversity
Tim McLaughlin is Director of Supplier Diversity is responsible for developing, maintaining and administering San Jose Water’s Utility Supplier Diversity Program (USDP) and supports San Jose Water Group (SJW Group) Supplier Diversity Programs in Connecticut, Maine and Texas. Tim has served in several volunteer leadership capacities including 2016-2019 past President of the Industry Council for Small Business Development (ICSBD), Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Diversity Committee, Disabled Veteran Business Alliance Advisory Council, and the National Utility Diversity Council’s (NUDC) Advisory Committee. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Integrated Manufacturing and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
Telma Lopez
Manager of Diversity Programs
Telma Lopez is the Manager of Diversity Programs for Southwest Gas Corporation. In her position, Telma is part of a team that oversees the company’s Diversity & Inclusion efforts and Supplier Diversity activities in Nevada, California, and Arizona. Telma joined Southwest in 1996 and has previously served in various positions within the organization, including in the Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and Public Affairs teams.In addition to her work at Southwest, Telma serves on the advisory board for CPLC Nevada and volunteers with local nonprofits in her community.
Holley Joy
Program Manager II, Supplier Diversity
In her role as Program Manager II, Supplier Diversity, at Liberty Utilities, Holley supports the west region (CA, AZ and TX) in managing day-to-day compliance and interaction with supply chain to successfully achieve the company’s Supplier Diversity objectives of the west region. Holley has been in Supplier Diversity for over 13 years with the California Public Utilities Commission Supplier Clearinghouse, California American, and Golden State Water. With her experience, knowledge, network, and passion for this utility service industry, Holley enjoys collaborating and partnering to provide valuable solutions. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of Laverne and holds certifications as a Certified Professional of Supplier Diversity from DiversityFIRST and as a Change Management Facilitator from ProSci.
Alan Gartrell
Vice President of Procurement
Alan has over 20+ years of experience in Purchasing & Warehousing Management in the Entertainment & Hospitality Industry. Alan joined Caesars Entertainment in June 2011 and is currently the Vice President of Procurement responsible for overseeing Regional Procurement, Warehousing, Supplier Diversity and Sustainability for all Caesars’ properties. Prior to this role, Alan has held multiple Regional Director positions throughout the country most recently the Senior Director of the Western Region. Before coming to Caesars, Alan spent 4 years as the Purchasing Manager at The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa in Asheville, NC and 10 years as the Purchasing and Warehouse Manager at Six Flags America in Maryland. Alan went to Mars Hill College for a BA in Music Theory and Performance. Alan resides in Las Vegas, NV with his wife, Bianca, and their 9-year-old son, Luca.
William Rivera
Preconstruction Coordinator
William Rivera is a Preconstruction Coordinator for Alston Construction. He joined Alston Construction in February 2020 as a Project Engineer. William graduated in June 2020 with a in B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno. Rivera has experience working with project managers, architects, and engineers in completing projects in a timely and effective manner. Prior to his role at Alston, Rivera interned for a local construction company where he learned how to work closely with project managers to measure and design layouts for projects based in the Reno-Sparks area. Alston Construction is an established general contractor and has been building since 1986. From industrial buildings to distribution centers to offices to retail stores and showrooms, Alston builds projects of any type and scale.
Ashley Thompson
Development Manager
Ashley Thompson is a Development Manager and the Lead Diversity and Inclusion champion for Panattoni Development Company. In her role she is responsible for developing strategies to increase minority spending and promoting a diverse supply chain ensuring that more minority businesses have an opportunity to prequalify for development subcontracts. She is charged with building relationships with key external and internal stakeholders, as well as, with prime and diverse suppliers to foster business opportunities. Ashley is committed to promoting opportunities to help minority businesses do business with PDC through outreach and mentorship.
Jennifer Meyers
DBE Liaison Officer
Jennifer Meyers is the recently appointed DBE Liaison Officer and Public Transportation Contracts Administrator for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County. Jennifer has been with the RTC for over 21 years.
Austin Kight
Strategic Brand Director
Austin Kight joined Martin-Harris Construction in 2003 with a background in Corporate Communications, Marketing, and Administration. In her current role Strategic Brand Director at Martin-Harris, Austin ensures internal and external programs are in align with the company’s strategic goals and core values. Specific to procurement, she oversees the Subcontractor “Opportunity Program” and ensures company policies and procedures support the company’s commitment for awarding contracts and subcontracts to small, minority, women, veteran, and disadvantaged business concerns from all possible sources. The company’s approach to subcontractor and vendor inclusion is three-pronged incorporating Outreach Efforts, Educational Workshops, and Strategic Partnership Events. Founded in 1976, Martin-Harris Construction is currently ranked as the largest General Contractor in Las Vegas by VEGAS INC magazine. Martin-Harris Construction is a leader within the industry and the Southern Nevada community.
Sajid Sulahria
Assistant Director, Engineering
Sajid Sulahria started his career with NDOT in 2003 and began his current position as Assistant Director of Engineering in August 2021. Throughout his career with NDOT, Sajid has worked in the Hydraulics Division as a Principal Hydraulic Engineer and has managed the statewide bridge scour program. Sajid has also participated in the Department’s rotational engineering program. As Assistant Director of Engineering, Sajid oversees all project delivery divisions, including Design, Project Management, Hydraulics, Structures, Location, Right of Way, and the Construction Division. Sajid received his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nevada, Reno and is a registered professional engineer in Nevada.
Denise Thompson
Procurement Analyst
Denise Thompson is one of two Procurement Analysts for the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County. And, while new to her role in Procurement has been with the RTC for almost 15 years.
Chris Benham
Procurement Analyst
Chris Benham has been with the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County since June of this year. Prior to that he worked for the State of Nevada Department of Veterans Services. Chris also currently serves as a DBE reviewer through NDOT’s Nevada Unified Certification Program.
Pepper Freyman
Project Manager
Pepper Freyman has worked for Whiting-Turner for 5 years and has been in the construction industry for over 20 years. Pepper is a Northern Nevada native born in Gardnerville and lives in Washoe Valley with his family. Pepper enjoys hunting in the Ruby Mountains and Fishing in Pyramid Lake.
Katrina Dorsey
Community Affairs Manager
Serving as the Community Affairs Manager for ASM Global, the Master Venue Operator of Allegiant Stadium, Katrina Dorsey is responsible for creating, executing, and overseeing Community Programs related to the Las Vegas Stadium Community Benefits Plan. Her focus areas include Community Engagement, Workforce Diversity, and Career Development. Katrina also manages Allegiant Stadium’s Supplier Diversity Program, including vendor matching, external communication of procurement opportunities, and coordinating supplier engagement events. Katrina’s background is in the Sports and Entertainment sector, particularly in Social Responsibility and Community Relations. She is passionate about the ability to generate opportunities for Nevadans through results-oriented programming.
Jessie Sockol
Assistant Project Manager
Jessie Sockol has worked in the construction industry for over 10 years and on Switch construction projects at varies capacities since 2017. She officially joined the Switch Team in 2021. Switch was founded on the principle of KARMA and is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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