# Event Details - **Event Name**: NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop - HONOLULU - **Event Start and End Date**: Tue, 14 Jul, 2026 at 07:30 am – Tue, 14 Jul, 2026 at 03:00 pm - **Event Description**: Please join us for our FY26 Mentor-Protégé Workshop hosted by NIPOA, UNALAKLEET & GRS on TUESDAY, JULY 14 2026 from 7:30am - 3:00pm.About this EventNIPOA-UNALAKLEET-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop- HONOLULUPlease join us for our FY26 Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop hosted by Nipoa Standard (Nipoa) and Global Resource Solutions, Inc. (GRS) on behalf of the Air Force Office of Small Business Programs.TUESDAY, JULY 14 2026 from 7:30am-3:00pm (Honolulu) at the AC HOTEL HONOLULU – 111 BISHOP STREET HONOLULU, HI 96813.This is a private event. Event security reserves the right to deny entry to, or remove, any individual whose behavior is deemed disruptive, threatening, unsafe, or otherwise inconsistent with the purpose of the event. Registration or RSVP does not guarantee admission.Registration is open to Small Business, Large Business, DoW Mentors, DoW Protégés, potential Mentor-Protégé participants, Government and Academia Representatives. Attendees must be owners or employees of the company.Please complete the registration form as you would like it to appear on your name badge.There are a limited number of seats, so please REGISTER as early as you can.Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis!The workshop is IN-PERSON ONLY and will be held TUESDAY, JULY 14 2026 from 7:30am-3:00pm (Honolulu Time), with the first speaker going on at 9:00am.The event will take place at the: AC HOTEL HONOLULU – 111 BISHOP STREET HONOLULU, HI 96813Please contact: mpp@grsco.com for any questions.The Agency: The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. The Air Force provides air support for land and naval forces and aids in the recovery of troops in the field. The Air Force Office of Small Business Programs (SAF/SB) actively supports the various small business programs that assist in meeting the Air Force's mission to fly, fight and win... in air, space and cyberspace. The Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) is a Major Command (MAJCOM) of the United States Air Force and is also the air component command of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).The Hosts:Nipoa Standard LLC (Nipoa) is a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO)-owned, U.S. Small Business Administration-certified 8(a) small business serving a broad range of federal customers. Nipoa provides comprehensive mission support across real estate asset management, building design and construction administration, facilities support services, property and facility management, construction management, engineering services, general management services, remediation and waste services, specialized security solutions, and precision component manufacturing. Federal law provides unique contracting advantages for NHO-owned 8(a) firms, including the ability to receive large, negotiated, direct awards. This enables the Department of War (DoW) and other federal agencies to issue awards quickly and efficiently while ensuring a seamless transition, continuity of operations, and a sustained commitment to exceptional performance.Founded in 2006, Global Resource Solutions, Inc. (GRS) is at the forefront of providing operational, strategic, and technical support and solutions throughout the Federal government. GRS maintains deep domain knowledge and strong past performance in the areas of Intelligence Analysis and Operations, Cybersecurity, Security Solutions, Information Technology, and Strategic Consulting. GRS is an Active Mentor in the DoW Mentor-Protégé Program.The Program: The Department of War (DoW) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) was established under Public Law 101-510, Section 831, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 1991. It is a statutorily mandated program under 10 USC 4902.The purpose of the program is to provide incentives for major Department of Defense contractors to furnish small business concerns with assistance designed to-(1) enhance the capabilities of small business concerns to perform as subcontractors and suppliers under Department of Defense contracts and other contracts and subcontracts; and(2) increase the participation of such business concerns as subcontractors and suppliers under Department of Defense contracts, other Federal Government contracts, and commercial contracts.Since 1991, DoW MPP has offered substantial assistance to small businesses. The DoD MPP assists small businesses (protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with typically large companies (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements.For more information please visit the Department of War Mentor-Protégé Program Website: https://business.defense.gov/Programs/Mentor-Protege-Program/Thank you for registering for the workshop. Please keep your tickets handy, either in the Eventbrite app or print them out and bring them with you.SPEAKERSMr. David Sikora - United States Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program - PENTAGONMr. David Sikora is the Acquisition Program Manager for the Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program. The mission of the Air Force Mentor Protégé program is to develop small businesses through technology transfer that results in small business sources of supply and services for Air Force prime contracts and subcontracts. Mr. Sikora previously served as the Air Force Small Business Innovative Research / Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) and Technology Transfer Program Manager. and Mr. Sikora has a wealth of experience leveraging industry, academia, and private sector research. Before entering government service, He worked as a design/project engineer in the paper machine and environmental equipment industries.Mr. Sikora received his bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology from the University of Dayton and his M.B.A. from Wright State University.Ms. Ailie Souriolle - Director, PACAF Small Business Program, United States Air ForceMs. Ailie Souriolle is the Director of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Small Business Programs. In this role, she is responsible for:Advocating for and supporting small businesses within the PACAF command.Promoting the use of small businesses in the defense industrial base.Ensuring small businesses can adapt to new security environments.Increasing competition in the U.S. economy by leveraging small businesses.Helping the nation avoid supply chain vulnerabilities with the help of small businesses.Ms. Souriolle's role emphasizes the importance PACAF places on engaging with the small business community.Ms. Mary Moriarty - President & Founder, Nipoa Standard LLCMary Moriarty is the founder of Nipoa’s first 8(a) subsidiary and President of Nipoa’s 8(a) subsidiary group. Mary is responsible for the daily operations of Nipoa’s for profit division. She began her career at Turner Construction, and later Hawaiian Dredging, as a construction manager and engineer. She has completed multi-phase projects for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation San Francisco regional office and the Transportation Security Administration at airports throughout Hawaii and the Pacific.Mary holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona. She is Native Hawaiian and raised on the islands of Kauai and Oahu.Mr. Josh Stowers - Principal / Government Market Sector Leader, HGAJosh Stowers leads the Government Market Sector at HGA, where he shapes strategy, drives performance, and builds meaningful partnerships across the public sector. With a national reach, he helps government agencies and private organizations navigate complex projects with clarity and confidence.Bringing over 25 years of architectural and project leadership experience, Josh has led major projects for government, corporate, and commercial projects, including large federal campuses and Fortune 500 headquarters. His expertise spans strategic planning and complex stakeholder coordination. Clients appreciate his ability to translate big-picture goals into actionable solutions — all delivered with a down-to-earth, collaborative approach.Ms. Erin Kanehira, Procurement Counselor-APEX HawaiiErin is a procurement counselor with the Hawaii APEX Accelerator. In October 2014, she received her Certified Procurement Professional certification from the National APEX Accelerator Alliance.Prior to joining Hawaii APEX, Erin worked in a variety of disciplines, including higher education, real estate, and state government. Most recently, Erin worked as a business advisor for Hawaii Small Business Development Center as the government contracting specialist.Born in Los Angeles but raised in Honolulu, Erin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Masters of Arts degree in English Literature from Mills College. She is the Secretary for the Aloha Chapter of the National Contract Management Association and has been a member since 2011.Ms. Keari Shibuya, Small Business Procurement Coordinator-Hawaii State Procurement Office.Keari Shibuya serves as the Small Business Procurement Coordinator for the Hawaii State Procurement Office, where she leads the State's Small Business Procurement Program. In this role, she works to expand equitable access to government contracting opportunities for small and local businesses across Hawaiʻi. Before joining State government, Keari served as Pacific Region Capture Manager for the GSI Family of Companies, a Native Hawaiian Organization (NHO) 8(a) family of companies, and as Business Development Coordinator for Community Planning & Engineering, a Hawaiʻi-based civil engineering firm.In addition to her public service and private-sector experience, Keari has been the owner and designer of Those Seen Dancing, an independent swimwear brand she founded in 2017.Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - Director, DoW Mentor-Protégé Program, Global Resource Solutions, Inc.Shehan Goonewardene is a strategic leader with over 18 years of extensive experience with the Department of War (DoW) Mentor-Protege Program (MPP). He has successfully led and managed multiple mentor-protege programs at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Activity (NGA), Defense Intelligence Activity (DIA) and the United States Air Force (USAF). Under Shehan's leadership GRS has secured multiple Nunn-Perry Awards from the Department of Defense. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside and a M.B.A. in Management and Leadership from the University of La Verne.Agenda?: 07:30 AM - 08:50 AMRegistration and Networking BreakfastHost: NIPOA + GRSInfo: Registration and Networking Breakfast?: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AMWELCOME FROM AIR FORCE & OVERVIEW OF AIR FORCE MENTOR PROTÉGÉ PROGRAMHost: MR. DAVID SIKORA - PENTAGON- AF SMALL BUSINESS OFFICEInfo: Overview of the DoW and AF Mentor-Protege Program.?: 09:30 AM - 09:45 AMQ&A - DoW MENTOR-PROTÉGÉ PROGRAMHost: MODERATOR: Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - GRSInfo: Learn the difference between the DoW program and the SBA program.?: 09:45 AM - 10:15 AMHOW TO SUBCONTRACT TO A LARGE PRIME CONTRACTORHost: Mr. Josh Stowers - HGAInfo: Learn how to navigate large prime contractors needs and win subcontract work.?: 10:15 AM - 10:45 AMKEYNOTE: HOW TO DO BUSINESS WITH PACIFIC AIR FORCES (PACAF)Host: MS. ALIE SOURILLE, DIRECTOR-PACAF SMALL BUSINESS OFFICEInfo: Overview of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) Small Business Program Office.?: 10:45 AM - 11:15 AMOVERVIEW OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING AS A SMALL BUSINESS - LESSONS LEARNEDHost: Ms. Mary Moriarty - NIPOAInfo: Lessons learned from a small business perspective.?: 11:15 AM - 11:25 AMNetworking BreakInfo: Networking Break?: 11:25 AM - 12:00 PMSmall Business Resources PanelHost: Ms. Erin Kanehira, Procurement Counselor-APEX HawaiiInfo: Learn about all the free small business resources available for your company.?: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PMQ&A Open DiscussionHost: MODERATOR: Mr. Shehan Goonewardene - GRS?: 01:00 PM - 03:00 PMNetworking LunchHost: NIPOA + GRS - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/honolulu/nipoa-grs-fy26-air-force-mentor-protégé-program-workshop-honolulu/100001991310029904 - **Event Categories**: workshops, business, art, science-fair, meetups, it, literary-art, contests - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 - **Event Highlights**: - Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes - Location: AC Hotel Honolulu - Languages: English ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Honolulu - **state**: HI - **country**: United States - **location**: AC Hotel Honolulu - **lat**: 21.309378 - **long**: -157.85991 - **full address**: AC Hotel Honolulu, 1111 Bishop Street, Honolulu, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protégé Program Workshop - HONOLULU - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/377f1773f7b46c87c01d30dad210ef361a78278e028aa6e3d763d758475d26f4-rimg-w976-h376-dc000000-gmir.png?v=1781289376 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protege Program Workshop - HONOLULU being held? - **A:** NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protege Program Workshop - HONOLULU takes place on Tue, 14 Jul, 2026 at 07:30 am to Tue, 14 Jul, 2026 at 03:00 pm at AC Hotel Honolulu, 1111 Bishop Street, Honolulu, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protege Program Workshop - HONOLULU? - **A:** NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protege Program Workshop - HONOLULU is organized by Global Resource Solutions, Inc.. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** NIPOA-GRS FY26 Air Force Mentor-Protege Program Workshop - HONOLULU is ideal for curious learners, students, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Honolulu, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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The United States Air Force articulates its core missions as air supremacy, global integrated intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, rapid global mobility, global strike, and command and control.\nThe Host: Founded in 2006, Global Resource Solutions (“GRS”) is at the forefront of providing operational, strategic, and technical support and solutions throughout the Federal government. GRS maintains deep domain knowledge and strong past performance in the areas of Intelligence Analysis and Operations, Cybersecurity, Security Solutions, Information Technology, and Strategic Consulting.\nThe Program: The Mentor-Protégé Program was established under Public Law 101-510, Section 831, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 1991. DoD MPP has offered substantial assistance to small disadvantaged businesses. Helping them to expand the overall base of their marketplace participation has produced more jobs and increased national income. The DoD MPP assists small businesses (protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with typically large companies (mentors) under individual, project-based agreements.\nThe program has three goals:\n- Provide incentives to major contractors, performing under at least one active approved subcontracting plan negotiated with Department of Defense or other federal agency, to assist SDBs, Hubzone, SDVOSBs, and qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled and women-owned small businesses in enhancing their capabilities to satisfy DoD and other contract and subcontract requirements.\n- Increase the participation of SDBs, HUBZone, SDVOSBs, WOSBs and other qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled as subcontractors and suppliers under DoD, federal agency and commercial contracts.\n- Foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between SDBs, HUBZone, SDVOSBs, WOSBs and other qualified organizations that employ the severely disabled and such contractors." } ] } ] ```