Procurement Games

In our second episode, we recap some of our Season 1 and Season 2 episodes, highlighting entrepreneurs in Minneapolis/Saint Paul as well as our community trailblazers who are paving the way to level the playing field for us!  This episode also launches our "Nuggets of Knowledge" series - offering tips and tricks to get you a tick mark on the WIN column!  In this episode, we share the best approach in "How to Respond to RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs!"

We are back for Season 3 - Join us as we kick off this season with a new channel on You Tube while continuing with a simulcast on WFNU 94.1 FM - Frogtown Community Radio! Like and subscribe on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/@procurementgames

In this episode, R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen chats with Belkis Cruz who shares her "construction and development" journey in the Twin Cities.  Belkis shares her passion and desire to help the Latino community in excelling in the procurement and contracting realm too!  

R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen chat about Victoria's journey as a property management company and brand new develoiper in MN.  

Kamillah El Amin shares her story as the first black woman owned distiller in the midwest in this episode!  R. Lynn Pingol & Jared Petersen get an insight into Kamillah's family legacy and her entrepreneurial journey.  

We are talking compliance, goals, fines, and workforce with  Johnnie Burns, Director of Contract Compliance at the City of Minneapolis!  Jared Petersen and R.Lynn Pingol had way too much fun while still getting to the bottom of contracting DBE firms in Minnesota, where the disparity continue to be an issue in the eco-system of procurment and contracting! 

Jimmy Loyd, Economic Development Director for the City of Saint Paul, MN dropped some pretty awesome exclusive news when  joined  R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen on the show!  

R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen are joined by Mikey Griffin, Executive Director of Rondo Community Land Trust, an amazing organization whose mission is to preserve the ownership of land in the Rondo Community!   

Mitchell Davis, Jr joins R. LynnPingol and Jared Petersen to discuss the formula to use when you start a business and the importance of debriefs request, when you don't awarded a contract!  

R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen hosts Founder and Principal Architect- Damaris Hollingsworth of Design By Melo, who shares her inspiration as a child and the fears she faced in launching her own design firm. 

R.Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen is joined by Keith Baker, Executive Director of ReConnect Rondo, who shares his perspective on the procurement challenges small businesses face in the MN ecosystem.  Keith discusses his current project - ReConnect Rondo, providing insights and encouragement on how community can get engaged.  

Jill Pavlak and Deb Loch joins hosts, R.Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen, to share their journey as the first women owned micro-brewery in Minnesota!  

Joining co=hosts R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen  is Hyon Kim, CEO of MN Best, Inc., Founder of Midwest Alliance for North Korean Refugees, and co-founder of OurTech Coop.   Hyon shares her journey in her new book "Alone in the Battefield" along with her experience in launching several successful businesses  in the US. 

The TALK episode, brings Ashanti Payne back in the studio with Lynn and Jared for a reaction conversation to comments, questions, and live calls from our dedicated listeners!  

Ashanti Payne joins hosts R.Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen to discuss MetCouncil and the new initiatives and programs they now offer to small businesses.  

Hosts R.Lynn Pingol & Jared Petersen are joined by De'Vonna Pittman, Founder of Nature's Syrup - The Hair & Skin Care Experience.  De'Vonna shares her journey of launching a start up businesss, creating a business plan, and being selected by Goldman Sachs co-hort group.  

In this episode, R. Lynn Pingol and Jared Petersen engage in a energic conversation with Paris Dunning, Executive Director of East Side Area Business Association (ESABA).  

Procurement Games Podcast & Open Conversations is back for Season 2!  This time, R. Lynn Pingol is joined by co-host+technician extraordinaire Jared Petersen!  We are officially broadcasting LIVE every Thursday at NOON on WFNU 94.1 FM Frogtown Community Radio!  This episode was alot of fun to record...OH THE NERVES!  We recapped Season 1 and level set our new audiences to what procurement is and the challenges small, minority, women, and disadvantaged businesses face in the industry and the eco-system!  If you missed the LIVE version....here is your chance to TUNE IN!  

Host R.Lynn Pingol is joined by Director Kara Jenkins of Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC) to share how small businesses can take advantage of NERC's program to teach non-discriminatory practices and creating equity based hiring practices that result in a diverse workforce!  About Kara JenkinsKara Jenkins serves as Administrator to the Nevada Equal Rights Commission (NERC).  In this capacity, Ms. Jenkins oversees the processing of employment, housing and public accommodation complaints of discrimination relating to race, national origin, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, and gender identity or expression for the Nevada Equal Rights Commission  The Nevada Equal Rights Commission has offices in Reno and Las Vegas, and Ms. Jenkins oversees a staff of 15 from both offices.  She also provides outreach training to companies and community groups to help equip them to prevent discrimination.  Ms. Jenkins was an appointee of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger before serving the State of Nevada as Ombudsman for Common-Interest Communities and now NERC.  Ms. Jenkins graduated cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and earned her law degree with distinction from Loyola Law School, New Orleans for her clinical work at Loyola's Law Clinic and an Executive Education Certification from Harvard Kennedy School of Government.  She also serves on the Governor’s Task Force to prevent sexual harassment.  Learn more about NERC:  https://detr.nv.gov/NERC

Heather Avila - President & CEO of LIVE Electric joins host R. Lynn Pingol to discuss her journey as an enpretreneur and how she used the resources of government agencies and her inner network to position herself for the WIN!  Heather founded Live Electric Inc in 2014. She brings her 20+ years’ of experience overseeing strategic business advancement and development to the construction industry. Her business philosophy is grounded in the belief that success can be realized through a combination of smart governance, team support and community empowerment. Guided by a deep work ethic, she approaches each endeavor with enthusiasm and commitment to a culture of diversity inclusion and equity.

Army Veteran and President of Nevada Women in Trades - Eveylyn Pacheco, joins host- R.Lynn Pingol to discuss the importance of her pre-apprenticeship program for the construction community! Nevada Women in Trades (NVWIT) is a non-profit corporation registered in the state of Nevada with a mission: To prepare  women in Nevada for successful careers in high skilled blue-collar (trade) occupations.  A first step in the process of preparation for  jobs in the “trades” is  often the skills and aptitude test required for apprenticeship  programs.Currently, NVWIT is the only  preparatory program for women who have the desire to enter into a trade  apprenticeship and need additional training and preparation  opportunities prior to completing a trade apprenticeship application.  The NVWIT team prepare women to complete its 150 hour Pipeline Comprehensive Course (PCC) with the math, science, safety readiness and  test taking skills required to pass trade apprenticeship exams and give  them a competitive edge when securing a seat in a coveted trade  apprenticeship of their choice.

Tamiko Trott-Binns shares her journey and some critical points about the construction industy, from the lenses of a Black Woman Contractor,  with host R.Lynn Pingol x

R.Lynn Pingol drives the conversation with Trailblazer Karin McCabe- McGough Construction on how they are leveling the playing field in their bidding process!  About KarinKarin has worked in the construction industry since 1999. Upon completion of a Women Venture construction training program, she started her career with McGough in the field. Always ready for new challenges she has been involved with Project Coordination, department management, department development and creation, and is currently acting as McGough’s ambassador to the diversity community. She is the proud recipient of the 2013 MSA Construction Professional of the Year Award and was instrumental in leading McGough in receiving a Yellow Ribbon Company designation in 2014. Karin understands the benefit and the need to partner with education for the economic growth and health of our communities.

Comfort Dondo - Executive Director of Pumulani MN and Author of Facing the Giants - joins R. Lynn Pingol on the platform of domestic violence and how the industry needs to shift so that the providers reflect the demographics it serves.  

R.Lynn Pingol is joined by Erinn Farrell - Co-Founder & Partner at The Coven - a unique and amazing space for women with intent to make radical changes to community.  

Stacy J. Powell of SJP Independent Consultants joins host R. Lynn Pingol, to discuss her entrepeneur journey and how the Human Resource industry should shift their mindset in preparation for the next generation in the coming COVID endemic era!

Noel Nix, Director of Community Initatives for the Office of Mayor Melvin Carter joins R.Lynn Pingol to discuss and invite small businesses and community to take a seat at the table and engage to influence change, especially for communities of color! 

R.Lynn Pingol is joined by Deseria Galloway of Wellspring Second Chances to share how her organization is helping traumatized individuals, youth, and returning citizens in our community. 

R.Lynn Pingol chats with Foster Hackett, III - President of Advanced Design Contracting about his drive to succeed, calculated risks, and uniting minorities for the win as the infrastructure bill looms ahead with no clear direction on how minorities, women, and veteran owned small businesses are going to be included.  

The tenacious  Robin Hickman-Winfield joins R. Lynn Pingol in this episode to share her deep connection to Rondo, her inspiration from her Great Uncle Gordon Parks, and the evolution of Soultouch Productions.  

Ben Baglio, Director of MN Governor's Workforce  Development Board joins R. Lynn Pingol to share the WAIO federal workforce programs and how YOU can become an influencer of where the money goes and the policies that help dictate it.  Learn how you can join the board at the local and state level..having that coveted seat at the table!

Gerri Harris joins R. Lynn Pingol in this powerful podcast!  Gerri shares her insghts from her days working with minorities, women and veteran owned businesses, as the Executive Director at MGM while also realizing how she positioned herself for her next journey...as an entrepreneur! 

Babette & Patrick Buckner of Moltron Builders joins R.Lynn Pingol to converse about the procurement challenges that exists in the construction industry and how they maximized being a union signatory along with their network to win!  

Ramona Wilson  joins Lynn on this first episode of The Chat -Trailblazers to talk about her role in transforming 3M DEI and Supplier Diversity Program.

Paul Edlund shares his story of strategizing and positioning his general constracting company by eliminating barriers of entry by deciding to become a union sigatory, expanding his network through participation, and more. 

Growing up with eczema, Sabrina Jones experienced the adverse effects of synthetic lotions and medicated treatments. Her struggle continued into adulthood. She suffered headaches, dry skin, allergies, and anxiety from a high-stress career in child protection. When she became pregnant, she knew she needed to take control of her health and find a better way to deal with the stress and take care of her skin.She researched essential oils and started combining them with other natural ingredients, such as shea butter and carrier oils. Her mental and physical health improved significantly, and she had a healthy pregnancy.Her experience sparked a passion for helping others with similar health issues. In 2015 she founded SJC Body Love - her own line of handcrafted skincare made with clean, simple ingredients and a lot of TLC. 

Born and raised in Minnesota, Hispanic-American Mark Vargas, Direcotr of Foresight General Contracting and Consulting, shares his entrepeneurship journey and challenges.  

Jared Petersen CEO of Straightforward - shares his entrepreneur story and the challenges he faced when he looked at government contracts in an the tech industry.  You'll hear how the system did not position opportunities to be truly open for minority participation!  

Is the field ever leveled in OUR FAVOR?  Small, minority and women owned businesses are challenged by the government procurement processes.  Talk of leveling the playing field is the main theme, yet little is done to move us forward.  The PROCUREMENT GAMES Podcast and Open Conversations brings our voices together to move us forward to changing the way the rules are set and the games are played.  R. Lynn Pingol, CEO of MaKee Company introduces the madness of The Procurement Games and Open Conversation podcast and shares her experience as an Asian - Filipina Woman Entrepreneur.