Bio

Rashmi Chaturvedi is the Co-founder and President of KAYGEN, a global business and technology consulting company specializing in Enterprise Solutions in Data Management. She has over 25 years of technology industry experience assisting multinationals such as Disney, Sprint, Experian, Toyota and many others with their business transformation initiatives. During her tenure at Disney, she started as a Database administrator managing licensing applications, with an aspiration to learn the business, she moved to support the business stakeholders and was promoted to organization Delivery lead. Rashmi spearheaded the entire enterprise applications consolidation globally including licensing, financial and HR applications leading to significant cost reductions and improved efficiency. She co-founded KAYGEN in 2003 to assist businesses with their digital transformation initiatives and as a strategic advisor she has been instrumental in providing Data Driven solutions to customers globally. The inspiration for Kaygen name came from Kaizen which stands for continuous improvement and she embodies this business philosophy in all processes to create efficiencies in company operations and employee productivity.

KAYGEN’s Data First approach has enabled customers to digitally transform their customer experience, operations and business processes leading to increased productivity, and profitability while maintaining compliance with the latest data privacy and security regulations.

An advocate for economic equity, Rashmi is passionate about helping women owned and diverse businesses get equal opportunities for growth and success. She serves on the Board for Women’s Business Enterprise Council West (WBEC-WEST), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and the Transportation Business Advisory Council at Los Angeles Metro (LAMetro). Her insights at WBEC-West has led to more direct networking opportunities with corporate buyers for women businesses. At LAMetro, as an executive board member and financial and compliance officer, her work has played an important role in ensuring that large suppliers are held accountable to include qualified small and diverse businesses in their contracts and pay timely on the executed contracts.

Rashmi’s honors and awards include “2020 Outstanding CEO’s by WE USA magazine, “2020 Women Business Enterprise STAR”, “2018 Enterprising Woman of the Year Champion”, “Women Who Rock”. These awards are given for her strategic vision, ability to build a successful business and her tireless dedication to excellence in every facet of her life. KAYGEN has been listed as one of the Top 50 Women Owned Businesses by the Orange County Business Journal, Fast 100 Asian American business by USPAACC, and by Inc. 5000 as one of the Fastest growing private companies in North America.

A graduate of Narsee Monjee college of Commerce and Economics in Bombay, India with a bachelor’s in business and a master’s in computer applications. She is an adept learner and has taken certificate and degree programs in Women’s Entrepreneurship at Cornell University, Robert Half Leadership development program, Dell Women in Technology program, Wells Fargo Business growth program, Toyota Mentorship program, Human resources management at UCI and Management development for Entrepreneurs at UCLA Anderson school of Management.

Bio

In 2006, at the age of 25, Gabrielle launched Hunter International, a recruiting firm with two employees. The Cleveland based venture has since rocketed nationwide, finding top-shelf scientific, engineering and technical staff for Fortune 500 companies who demand STEM excellence. Under Gabrielle’s leadership Hunter has been recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the Midwest and Ohio’s Best Workplaces.

Gabrielle, 100% owner of Hunter, is committed to causes focused on achieving gender parity. Gabrielle co-founded non-profit SPARK in 2017 with the mission to build confidence in young women (grades 6-12) as they discover their passion in STEM. In 2018, SPARK joined forces with the American Heart Association’s STEM Goes Red For Girls event in Cleveland. Since 2018, Gabrielle has served on the event’s Steering Committee and has committed to being the Chair for the 2022 event.

Additionally, Gabrielle currently serves WBENC as a National Forum and NCBF Host Committee Member. Within WBEC-ORV Gabrielle is Co-Chair of the 2020 Regional Conference, an Executive Steering Committee Member and Cleveland Luncheon Co-Chair. In 2018, 2019 and 2020, WBEC-ORV recognized Hunter with the coveted B2B Award, which recognizes the organizations spend with other certified women owned businesses. In 2020, Hunter was recognized by Smart Business Magazine as “Progressive Organization” for its promotion and support of women-based initiatives in the workplace.

Within the NE Ohio community Gabrielle is a CYO Volleyball Coach and is a member of the Board of Directors for her alma mater, Magnificat High School.

Bio

Tammy Cohen (SHRM-CP, PHR), a background screening pioneer with three decades of experience, is a nationally honored entrepreneur, a successful businesswoman, and a recognized thought leader. Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of InfoMart, one of the top 10 largest background check and identity screening companies in the industry, Cohen is known professionally as the Queen of Screen and was named among “Atlanta’s Top 20 Women-Owned Firms” and “Top 500 Women-Owned Businesses in the US.” Recently, she was recognized as a WBE Star, the Most Influential Woman in Background Screening, and “Maverick of the Year” by the Stevie Awards. She lends her expertise to renowned publications, including contributions to Forbes, Entrepreneur, Authority Magazine, and HR Executive. The remarkable growth and innovation that has occurred under Tammy’s leadership since its founding in 1989 have made InfoMart one of the largest screening companies in the United States. Tens of thousands of clients have used InfoMart’s services, including several Fortune and Forbes 100 companies. Driven by Tammy’s passion, InfoMart continues to be instrumental in the development of processes and technology that are now the industry standard, including ASAP ID, a mobile ID authentication application that utilizes biometric technology to simplify onboarding. Recently, she spearheaded her company’s pivot during the coronavirus pandemic, resulting in a COVID screening and management platform, and she is leading the charge in the development of a digital Career Wallet™ that will change the way people manage their career credentials. Tammy’s drive has modernized hiring and given her clients a competitive edge when recruiting top talent. The InfoMart story reflects Tammy’s perseverance and her wisdom in anticipating and largely creating the future of her industry and the workplace.

Bio

April Diez is a second generation Hispanic, her father and mentor Geraldo Diez Sr. founded Delaco Steel Corp in 1973. Currently April serves as the Vice Chair of The Diez Group which consists of 10 facilities, encompassing 6 states and over two million square feet of manufacturing space specializing in Aluminum and Steel sales, precision blanking and slitting, laser welding, warehousing and logistics. She is President of J.I.T Steel, a steel sales and trucking operation in Dearborn, MI and Tonawanda, NY, and along with her siblings are also the owners of The Diez Group LLC, DIT Kansas City, and DKPI, all Hispanic WBE. April began her career as a part-time filing clerk/typist at Delaco Steel Corporation in 1981. Subsequently, she assumed a series of increasingly responsible assignments at the plant level before being promoted to administrative management positions that included: purchasing, financial costing, scheduling and production control. She is a graduate of the Minority Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, is certified in quality standards including: QS 9000, ISO/TS 16949 and lean manufacturing and completed coursework at Macomb Community College. Her accomplishments were recognized by being named Latina Entrepreneur of the Year by the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Society of Hispanic MBA, HBE Elite Award in 2016 from the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council’s Distinguished Business Leader for 2017, USHCC Hispanic Business Woman of the Year, and the Frida Award. Active in business and civic affairs, Diez serves as an Executive Board Member of the Great Lakes Women’s Business Council, was on the Host Committee for the WBENC Detroit Conference and Board of Directors for Detroit PAL. She served as Vice Chair of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s Executive Board, Board of Directors. Noted for her work in philanthropy, Ms. Diez served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Life Directions, an organization dedicated to motivating young adults, who are economically disadvantaged and considered “at risk”. As a Trustee, Ms. Diez was active in youth mentorship and fundraising. The Diez Family received Life Direction’s Co-Founders Sustainability Award. Today, Delaco Steel/The Diez Group is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with two locations in Dearborn and Woodhaven, MI, Tonawanda NY, Jeffersonville, Indiana (Louisville, KY area), Montezuma, Iowa., Kansas City, Missouri, and Lebanon, Tennessee. The Diez Group of companies is the largest Hispanic MBE in the manufacturing supply chain.

Bio

In 2014, Kari Donovan launched Precis Commissioning, Inc. (PrecisCx). The firm is a natural extension of the work she has done for the past 17 years as a mechanical engineer and capitalizes on her experience with the systems she now commissions.

Kari holds a Bachelors and Masters of Architectural Engineering from Penn State. She began designing mechanical and plumbing systems, and providing on-site commissioning before joining Precis Engineering, Inc. as their first employee. Kari quickly advanced within the company while supporting the growth of a dynamic, boutique style engineering firm. She became a Principal before seizing the opportunity to spin-off a new company, focused on Commissioning and Qualification Services.

As President, she is responsible for the operation of PrecisCx, overseeing diverse projects in pharmaceutical/biotech, R&D, healthcare, university, and commercial industries. Her experience building teams with owners, design professionals and contractors affords her the ability to consider all stakeholder concerns throughout project delivery. In 2018, the company was awarded #25 of the top 100 fastest growing independently owned business in the greater Philadelphia area in the Philly 100. Ms. Donovan is dedicated to establishing a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and support, where the highest standards of excellence are defined by their work.

Kari is a licensed Professional Engineer in PA, DE, MD, NJ, VA, & NC, is a Certified Commissioning Authority, OSHA 30 trained, and sits on the International Board of Directors for the Building Commissioning Association and is immediate past President for the National Capital Chapter.

Kari serves as Certification Committee Chair and an Envoy for WBEC East and received the WBEC East 2017 Shining Star award. She has been an instructor, committee and expo member for the Girls Exploring Tomorrow’s Technology annual event. Kari has rescued several German Shepherd Dogs and volunteers with two rescue groups.

PrecisCx is a WBENC certified Women’s Business Enterprise and a third party certified Woman Owned Small Business.

Bio

Emily Erskine, President, CEO and owner of American Residuals & Talent, Inc. dba ART Payroll, has been working at her company and in her industry for 35 years. She joined the company in 1986, rose through the ranks to manage client services in the mid 1990s, manage operations in the mid 2000s and then become President, CEO and owner in 2010.

Emily leads her company in providing outstanding actor and crew payroll and business affairs services in the advertising and entertainment industry. She brings her deep knowledge of the industry and years of practical experience to help support the success of the company’s clients and employees.

Emily’s company, American Residuals & Talent, Inc. dba ART Payroll has been granted the National Women’s Business Enterprise Certification by WBENC since 2011.

Emily holds a BA in Liberal Arts from the University of Vermont. Emily seeks out educational opportunities in her industry and in the CWE and WBENC communities. She has been a regular attendee at the annual ANA Advertising Law & Public Policy Conference and frequently attends the ANA-4As Joint Policy Committee Town Halls. In 2016 she completed the Tuck-WBENC Executive Program and in 2018 the Robert Half-WBENC Accelerated Leadership Program.

Emily sits on the CWE New Hampshire Advisory Board.

Bio

My name is Patricia Marx. I am the youngest of 3 children born to Frances and John Tierney. I was raised in Des Plaines, IL and attended Maine West High School. My parents did not have college educations and worked to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table. My Childhood was low key and simple. This was a time in which we could ride our bikes through neighborhoods and walk to friend’s houses without any concerns. My favorite thing to do as a child was to dance. I had a friend whose mother was a dance teacher and she let me join the classes for free.
When I was fifteen I got a work permit and starting working at a day care center as part of a work program at the High School. One of the biggest surprises of my childhood was when I went with my sister as she applied for a full time job at a department store and I decided to fill out an application for a part time job. Long story short I was hired she was not. I spent 7 years at that department store working in a variety of positions. I was a very shy and introverted child. I believe working at this store gave me the foundation and drive to become an entrepreneur. I was very fortunate to work with people willing to teach me more than just to show up for work. They instilled in me a work ethic and desire to succeed.

My mother passed away from breast cancer when I was 17. I was making plans to go to Oakton community college but my father had other plans. When I graduated from High School he announced that he was selling that house and I would have to fend for myself. Knowing that I needed a means of transportation he asked if I wanted my mother’s car. Of course I said yes to which he prompted handed me the car payments booklet. Now 18 and in debt my plans for college had to be put on the back burner so that I could find full time employment and a place to live.

I moved in with my sister and brother-in-law and brand new baby niece. I was lucky to apply for a job as a bank teller and started my new career. I lived with my sister for 6 months so that I could save enough money for a down payment for my first apartment. Most of my banking career was at the Bank of Ravenswood in Chicago. Here I continued as a teller then was promoted to teller supervisor. I also became involved in training tellers. I was not happy with the teller training program the bank had so they told me to write a new one. The bank gave me the time, materials and space to write this training program and never once asked how long it would take or what my program entailed. I still cannot believe that they had complete confidence and faith that I would be able to complete this task. The program was very successful and was used for several years after I left the bank. My most famous trainee was “Mr. Cub” Ernie Banks. Ernie was in a management training program at the bank and as part of that training I was able to work with this amazing man.
During this time I met husband. He is 2 years younger than me and worked for his family business. We dated for 7 years and have now been married 39 years. We grew up, matured and fed off each other for long term goals. When we were dating I did not know the future plans his parents had for us. The moving company was growing and they had just opened the first service center outside of Chicago. One year after we were married we were told to move to St Louis and that I would now work for them as well. Although I was sad to leave banking this started our life long journey together that continues today. Basically they through us to the wolves but watched closely! We were in St Louis for 3 years were we learnt many valuable skills of what it takes to run a business. Our next venture was to New Jersey to open a brand new service center from ground up.

Growing the business from ground up had a whole new meaning in New Jersey. My husband and I struggled to hire enough manpower to do the work. So that He could make sales and concentrate on getting new Accounts. Our office was close to New York and Philadelphia and the possibilities were endless. Once he closed the deal with a new account it was my job to keep them happy. We were truly a tag team. Not only did we learn how challenging business in different states could be, we also started a family. After using fertility drugs for 9 years we finally had our first child. I gained a whole new respect for working Mom’s. Soon I was pregnant with our second daughter. This pregnancy was complicated and our daughter was born at 28 weeks weighing 2 lbs. She was in a life and death state for a long time and the doctors told us life would be a roller coaster ride with unexpected ups and downs. She weighed 4 pounds when we brought her home 3 ½ months later and was very ill for 3 years. Today she is married and has just received her master degree in business.

In 1995 my father-in-law suddenly passed away at the age of 64. It was time for us to leave New Jersey and move back to Chicago to start a new chapter of our life. After 12 amazing years of building a company from the ground up we left with knowledge, lifelong friendship, and 2 amazing daughters and a whole new perspective on life.
Moving back to Chicago with 2 young became my new role. I loved my time with the girls but once they were in school full time I found myself lost and wondering. After 6 years at home with the girls I received an opportunity to work part time on site for one our largest customers. I missed the moving industry and interacting with business people. The position was close to home and I had flexible hours. This was to be a 6 month position. I ended up working for them for 3 years. At the end of this assignment I returned to the corporate office to be manager of A/R and A/P for our international division.

Fast forward a few years with my mother-in-law now well into her 80’s and 3 other family members wanting to retire out of the family business I found my role in the company reaching a whole different level. The three remaining brothers and my mother-in-law wanted someone they trusted and new understood the moving industry to oversee the back office. I was asked to become Treasurer to watch over the financial aspects of the company with the help our CFO and controller. I am able to protect the money and financial aspects of the business. The best way I can describe my job is I chase the money both coming in and going out.

I didn’t really plan my life out I followed the path it led me down. I worked hard and learned by observing the best in the business. I have looked forward never back. When obstacles get in my way I find a way around them by seeking advice. There are many road blocks in everyone’s life what’s important is how you handle the challenges. I met them straight on head held high and for the most part without feeling sorry for myself.

In a million years I would never have dreamed that I would be Chairman of the Board of the husband’s family business yet here I am! I have so much more to do and so much more to learn. I am eternally grateful to my Mother-In-Law who saw in me the passion and drive to succeed and trusted me enough to give me this opportunity.

My philosophy is that Life is full of surprises and unexpected events. Work hard and never look back but learn from your mistakes. It also helps to have good luck, Blind faith and an open mind.

Bio

Ranjini Poddar is the CEO and Co-Founder of Artech L.L.C., a global IT staffing organization that values human intellect. Since its inception in 1992, when the idea of IT outsourcing was relatively new and the quality and continuity of IT deliverables inconsistent, the company has achieved astounding annual growth under Ranjini’s stewardship and strategic direction. With a $775 million annual revenue run rate in 2021, over 10,500 staff and consultants over 35 locations internationally, Artech today is ranked the #1 largest women-owned and 7th largest IT staffing firm in the US (according to a 2020 Staffing Industry Analysts report) with over 85 Fortune 500 clients.

Ranjini inherited her ambition and entrepreneurial spirit from her parents who were business owners. Her Bachelors of Science degree in Information and Computer Science from UC Irvine, JD from Yale Law School and experience of five years in Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions with Wall Street law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell helped her in pursuing, and succeeding in her vision to raise the bar of IT consulting services. Her understanding of the global staffing industry, unstoppable pursuit of excellence and ability to think differently has helped Artech scale new heights. Not one to rest on her laurels, Ranjini challenges herself every day to meet and exceed her own as well as client expectations.

Ranjini has been a board member for the American Staffing Association since 2018. Additionally, she has served on the Small Business & Agriculture Committee, New York Federal Reserve Bank; Board of Trustees, New Jersey Institute of Technology; and WBENC Board of Directors. Throughout her career, Ranjini has received recognition from numerous well-known diversity and industry organizations including WBENC, WPEO, SIA, Enterprising Women’s Magazine, MBE Magazine, and EY.

Looking forward, she has plans for Artech to become the first women owned $1 billion workforce solutions and staffing services company in the next three years. A firm believer and practitioner of diversity, she is indeed a representative of a lot of women’s dreams – to have an idea and turn it into a billion-dollar company.

Awards and Recognition

Below is a recent sampling of some of the numerous awards and recognition Ranjini has received for her contributions to the industry:

• 2021 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) Influencers – US and Canada (SIA 2021)
• Featured as SIA Global Power 150 Women in Staffing (SIA 2020)
• Star Award, Women Presidents Educational Organization (WPEO 2019)
• Global Power 150- Women in Staffing List 5 years in a row (SIA, 2015-2019)
• Named an Enterprising Woman of the Year, Enterprising Women Magazine (2008, 2018)
• Listed among the 100 Most Influential People in the Staffing Industry for 5th consecutive year and inducted into the SIA Hall of Fame (SIA 2017)
• Winner of the International Women’s Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC 2017)
• Named among the WBEs Who Rock, MBE Magazine (2016)
• Named to Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs List (LWE & Business Owners, 2016)
• Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award Winner (EY 2009)
• Named a Top 10 Finalist for the Leadership Award (US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, 2009)

Bio

Staci Redmon is Strategy and Management Services (SAMS) Founder and Chief Executive Officer. Her energetic leadership, passion, and vision has propelled SAMS to the solutions provider it is today, building engineering solutions that are saving lives and making positive lasting impacts.

SAMS exponential growth is the result of Staci’s strategic vision and her drive to build a company that measures its impact not on the bottom line alone, but on how it makes a difference to its people, its clients, and the community. SAMS has been named to the Inc. 500/5000 list of fastest-growing companies, the nation’s fastest-growing women-owned companies by the Women Presidents’ Organization, and to the Washington Technology Fast 50 for its advanced growth.

Staci is a committed civic leader and philanthropist. She advocates passionately for veterans and family members of veterans. Staci’s recognition as a successful veteran business owner has not gone unnoticed. In 2013, the Virginia Small Business Development Center (SBDC) honored Staci as the 2013 Virginia Small Business Veteran of the Year. Ms. Redmon was the first woman chosen to receive this prestigious honor. In 2017, the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) named Staci the Woman Vetrepreneur of the Year. This award is presented annually to one of the 380,000-woman veteran-owned business owners in the U.S. In 2018, SAMS was named the Minority Veteran Business Enterprise of the Year by the National Veteran Owned Business Association (NaVOBA). In addition to being founded and led by a veteran, SAMS proudly upholds a veterans first hiring policy and strives to create meaningful opportunities for veterans and family members of veterans. Presently, more than 70% of the SAMS employee population lies within this category.

Staci has been featured in numerous publications and is a sought-after speaker and thought leader worldwide. She has won numerous awards both for SAMS and as an individual. Her commitment as a civic leader extends to several of the non-profit Boards that she graciously donates her time to. Staci’s commitment to give back is exemplified through the philanthropic arm of SAMS. SAMS Cares supports community initiatives to improve the quality of life for others through charitable contributions, social awareness and employee volunteerism. Every employee at SAMS is provided with paid time off to support volunteerism. Giving back is engrained in the SAMS culture.

Staci holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, an MBA with a concentration in Acquisition and a Graduate Certificate in Procurement and Federal Contracts Management. As a true believer and advocate for continuous learning, Staci has attended executive education programs Babson College, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, and the University of Michigan Ross School of Business. Staci is a mother of three, a grandmother of one, and resides in Northern Virginia with her husband.

Bio

Rosa Santana is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Santana Group, a top-tier minority- and woman-ownedgroup of companies whose transformational solutions differentiate industry-leading companies through moreefficient, effective, and competitive service. Since its founding in 2002, the Santana Group today includesIntegrated Human Capital, Workforce Management Mexico, Diversa, Oveana, and Forma Automotive. Each of thesecompanies was founded to address clients’ specific challenges.

Tapping into her bicultural upbringing as a Mexican immigrant to the United States from the age of 5, Santana hasbeen a driving force within the U.S./Mexico outsourcing industry. Santana’s passion for community andentrepreneurship has inspired her to create thousands of jobs across the United States and Mexico, contributing tothe economic prosperity and well-being of the diverse communities in which she does business.

Realizing this passion early in her career at a Fortune 500 Company, Santana made a substantial impact bydelivering extraordinary results in response to client challenges. Santana expanded the company’s footprint intoMexico, earning her a senior leadership role as corporate Vice President. Several years later, Santana was offeredan executive leadership position at a competing international services company and again successfully establishedoperations in Mexico while continuing to lead a U.S. division.

In 2002, Santana reached a turning point in her career when downsizing presented her with the opportunity to starther own business. She launched Integrated Human Capital (IHC), a staffing company, in El Paso, Texas, andsimultaneously opened a cross-border company, Workforce Management, in Cuidad Ju rez, Chih., Mexico. Alwaysseeking growth opportunities, within three years, IHC began servicing clients in Austin and San Antonio, Texas.

Over the next ten years, Santana built relationships with numerous companies and successfully delivered humancapital solutions as a Tier II supplier to Toyota’s Tier I suppliers at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas.

Santana’s commitment to innovation and a continuous improvement culture drew the attention of Toyotaprocurement and supplier development leaders, and she was singled out for an opportunity to supply Toyotadirectly. In 2014, Toyota named Santana and her newly formed Forma Automotive the first Hispanic-, Woman-Owned Direct Tier One Supplier to Toyota, providing fully assembled truck beds for the award-winning Tacomatruck.

Today the Santana Group continues to demonstrate their expertise in developing solutions for their clients’ uniquebusiness challenges, resulting not only in the growth of the Santana Group companies but also in the creation ofhigh-quality jobs.

Santana credits her numerous mentors for her success and has completed two Minority Business Executiveprograms at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth University as well as the Advanced Management Educationprogram at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University.

Santana dedicates countless hours mentoring other minority- and women-entrepreneurs, and she serves on theboards of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), the Latino Business Action Network (LBAN),and the Women’s Business Council Southwest (WBCS).

As a result of her business acumen and dedication to serving her clients and community, Santana has wonnumerous awards locally, regionally, and nationally, including the 2020 Minority Business Development Agency’sNational Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award (the first time in the history of the award that a minority- andwoman-owned business was named a recipient) and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year  Award 2019Central Texas. Additionally Santana was named to Automotive News ‘ coveted 2020 list of 100 Leading Women inthe North American Auto Industry.

Bio

Annette Springer is the Chief Executive Officer for Springer Equipment Company in Birmingham, Alabama and Southfork Lift Truck in Nashville, Tennessee.

Springer Equipment Company and Southfork Lift Truck are certified WBENC woman-owned businesses providing comprehensive forklift sales, service, rentals, parts, leasing and fleet maintenance for the material handling equipment industry.

After 38 combined years working in the material handling industry, Annette and her husband, Ted decided it was time to start Springer Equipment Company. Their business began in the basement of their home in 1992. The company has since grown to 62 employees with annual revenues that exceed $24,000,000. Springer Equipment Company is now one of the leaders in the material handling industry both regionally and nationally receiving numerous awards for outstanding forklift parts and equipment sales records.

Springer Equipment has been recognized in the annual Birmingham Business Journal Book of Lists as “Top 25 Women-Owned Business”, “Top 100 Privately-Owned Business” and “Top 25 Family Owned Business” since 2012,

In September 2014, Annette and her husband Ted opened a second full-service forklift dealership, Southfork Lift Truck in Nashville, Tennessee. The dealership has grown to 15 employees and revenue exceeding $5,000,000. Southfork Lift Truck was recognized as the Top 25 Women-Owned Businesses in the Nashville Business Journal 2019 Book of Lists.

Annette Springer is a member of the Birmingham Business Alliance, Material Handling Equipment Distributors Association, The Women’s Network, Alabama Women in Business, 2019 Positive Maturity Top 50 over 50. She is also a National Forum Member for Women Business Enterprise National Council and WBEC South Board Member. Annette was chosen WBEC-South 2020 Star representing Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and the Florida Panhandle regions of the National WBENC.

She and her husband are members of the Tocqueville Society and yearly sponsors of Habitat for Humanity.

Bio

Debbie Trevino is CEO and Owner of Treco Services, Inc. Debbie started Treco Services in 1983 as a small mom and pop cleaning service and 35 years later has built the company to the full-service janitorial and facility maintenance business it is today.

Debbie has led the diversification of the business, which is headquartered in San Antonio, TX, to include experience with clients throughout Texas and other states with corporate, commercial and government accounts. As well is certified as, Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), South Central Texas Regional Certification Agency Hispanic American Business Enterprise (HABE), MBE, Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and WBE, Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Disadvantaged Business (SBD), graduate of SBA 8(a) program and SBA HUBZone, and Texas HUB.

Currently, Debbie is serving on the board of the Southwest Minority Business Council and has previously served as a Board member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Awards she has received include Small Business of the Year, Service Firm of the Year, San Antonio Business Journal 40 under 40 Rising Star, Community Minority Business Advancement Program Participant, Graduate of Leadership San Antonio, MBE Idol of the Year with the Southwest Minority Business Council, and Graduate of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.

Debbie is a native of San Antonio, TX and is the proud mother of three daughters, a son and grandmother of 12 grandchildren.

Bio

Raj Varma is the entrepreneurial driven leader/executive with 20+ years of software industry experience in founding multiple software products, solutions, and IT consulting companies. She has accomplished domestic and international experience in leading operations, P&L oversight, and multiple channel product distributions.

She has proven track record as an enabler and builder of technology roadmap and product development teams with specialty in both start-up and scaled growth stages. She has successfully raised funds for start-up and building key partnerships with numerous clients and delivering multi-million-dollar growth due to her strength in connectional intelligence. She is a strong believer of results along with decisive leadership with established success in new markets identification and strategic positioning for software consulting and SaaS solution companies.

Raj is very active and visible entrepreneur across multiple women lead business networks like CloudGirls, WBENC, WBEC Pacific, Women in Cloud, WPO etc. She was industry mentor at Ada Academy, Seattle.

Raj worked for a decade at Microsoft in multiple technical engineering leading roles and later founded Arth Systems in 2008 as a System Integration consulting services on Microsoft cloud technologies like Azure, Office 365. Recently, she was successfully able to get the enterprise business side of Arth Systems acquired by Xoriant.

She is continuing productivity consulting, and Office 365 integration services for the small and mid-sized clients under Arth Systems using the reseller alliances.

Bio

Iris Vincent was born in Brooklyn, New York. At an early age, her family moved to Puerto Rico. She finished high school at Colegio Santa Rosa in Bayamon. She holds a bachelor’s in business administration from the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras and a Master in Finance from the Inter American University.

She started her professional career in finance. She worked at the supply chain division at SC Johnson Wax. Later, she became Chief Finance Officer for Best Ways Cargo and worked as General Manager for US Freightways PR.

In 2001, Vincent, a proven top leader with a business-oriented background, decided to start Prime Air Corp. with her husband Tom Vincent. With tenacity, a long-term successful perspective, and a firm commitment to providing first-class services, Iris Vincent and her team have positioned Prime Air Corp. among the leading global logistics solutions providers on the island.

Through flexible and innovative 24/7 solutions, the company which is also an agent in Puerto Rico for U.S.-based Stevens Global Logistics., offers services for air, sea or land transportation of cargo, storage and delivery of machinery, and equipment or products to any destination in the world. Specialized in the management of emergency services for Pharmaceutical and manufacturing industry, Prime Air also transports oversize equipment, sensitive and refrigerated loads, hazardous materials, as well as chartered aircraft.

In 2016, under the leadership of Iris Vincent, Prime Air developed a custom system that applies intelligent solutions to supply chain services and offers all kinds of logistical solutions to provide the best performance in transit and costs for the movement of critical or heavy load of pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In addition, the company has managed to implement innovative approaches to meet the demands of the manufacturing sector, continuously faced with fast changing and highly competitive business environments. This approach has led to Prime Air reaching consistently, year after year, a 20 percent increase in sales over the past five years. With an investment of 1.8 million dollars and the most advanced technology and infrastructure, the Puerto Rican global 24/7 logistics and transportation services company, Prime Air Corp. built the first temperature controlled warehouse in the cargo area of the San Juan airport to meet the needs of pharmaceutical companies and medical devices on the Island.

Thanks to a collaborative and strategic relationship with customers that ensures the continuity of the projects and the operations of the companies that Prime Air Corp. serves, Vincent and her team of logistics experts, have managed to strengthen the pharmaceutical industry and medical devices business volume, which represents more than 50 per cent of the sales volume for Prime Air. The company, which also serves the federal government, has reached a 99.25 target in timely delivery of goods for its customers.

Under Vincent’s direction, Prime Air plays a vital role with their clients to help them achieve their organizational objectives. As business partners, the company focuses on the search for added value and operates 24 hours a day to offer its customers flexible and custom made solutions tailored to their needs.

Prime Air offers cargo charter flights with more than 40 aircraft types available covering Cessna aircraft for small emergency shipments or even an Antonov An-225 with a carrying capacity of more than 500,000 pounds. It also provides On Board Couriers services for sensitive or critical cargo movement to and from Puerto Rico from anywhere in the world, the Next Day Flight Service for fast 24/7 deliveries door to door and moving heavy load or excessive size shipments, refrigerated cargo and dangerous materials.

Prime Air belongs to the federal Small Business Administration (SBA) 8(a) Program and is certified as a company of women by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). It is a critical industrial supplier under Law 154 regulations and belongs to the Minority Supplier Development Council.

As a member company of the Industrial Association of Puerto Rico (AIPR); the Medical Devises cluster and of the Pharmaceutical Industry Association of Puerto Rico (PIA), Prime Air Corp. has served an active role during the past sixteen years contributing to the development of the cargo and transportation industry in Puerto Rico.