SBA’s Mentor-Protégé Program Update

The U. S. Small Business Administration’s Mentor-Protégé Program helps small businesses (protégés) learn from an experienced government contractor (mentor) how to secure and perform contracts with the federal government to increase access to contracting opportunities. Protégés can get valuable business development help from their mentor in several areas, including: 

•Guidance on internal business management systems, accounting, and marketing 

•Financial assistance in the form of equity investments, loans, and bonding 

•Assistance navigating the federal contract bidding, acquisition, and procurement process 

•Education about international trade, strategic planning, and finding markets 

•Business development, including identifying contracting and partnership opportunities 

•General and administrative assistance, like human resource sharing or security clearance support 

Presenter:  Stanley Jones Jr. Director, Office of Management and Technical Assistance 

Acting Director, SBA Mentor Protégé Program 

Stanley was appointed Director of SBA’s Office of Management and Technical Assistance in 2015. He oversees the Office of Business Development, 7(j) Program, and 8(a) contracting program. In this role, he is the senior advisor and technical subject matter expert for a team of over 150 Business Opportunity Specialists that serve in SBA offices throughout the country. Additionally, Stanley currently serves as the Acting Director for the SBA Mentor-Protégé Program. Most recently, Stanley served as Branch Chief in the Office of Certification and Eligibility where he was instrumental in standing up the new unit responsible for continuing eligibility reviews on firms in the 8(a) Business Development Program. Prior to joining SBA, Stanley was the Vice President of ARES Group, Inc., a successful firm that graduated from the 8(a) Business Development program, which he helped to grow to over $65 million in annual sales.