GovContractPros is pleased to congratulate our own John Shoraka for receiving the Advocate of the Year Award from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). According to MBDA, this award is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated significant accomplishment in advocating minority business enterprise as an economic force in the global economy.
The MBDA National Minority Enterprise Development Week Awards are the highest level of national recognition that a U.S. minority-owned firm can receive from the U.S. Department of Commerce. This year, MBDA is honoring award winners in a virtual “How I Did It” interview series that will showcase their innovative solutions to overcoming obstacles and how to thrive under challenging circumstances.
John Shoraka serves as the Managing Director of GovContractPros (GCP). As Managing Director, he assists small business government contractors in all phases of their business lifecycle, including navigation of the federal marketplace, business development, certification for and compliance with small business set-aside programs, teaming and mentor-protégé arrangements, and financing and acquisition.
“Advocating for the federal small business programs and advocating for small businesses in particular is in our DNA. My partner Aditi Dussault, our staff, our consultants and I work tirelessly day in and day out to ensure that the benefits of the small business programs flow to the intended recipients,” said Shoraka.
Prior to GCP, Shoraka served as Associate Administrator of Government Contracting and Business Development at the U.S. Small Business Administration. His knowledge of the government contracting marketplace is derived from decades of both infield private sector and public sector practice. As Associate Administrator of SBA, Shoraka was responsible for overseeing the federal government’s small business set-aside programs. His responsibilities included the Business Development/8(a) program, HUBZone, WOSB and SDVOSB programs. He was responsible for the Office of Size Standards, the federal government’s small business goaling program as well as the federal government’s small business prime and subcontracting programs. Shoraka worked closely with the White House Office of Federal Procurement Policy and Senior Administration officials in crafting best practices for accomplishing small business procurement goals.
Shoraka has a deep understanding of the federal government contracting legislative and regulatory landscape. He was responsible for implementing procurement provisions of the Small Business Jobs Act (including the All Small Mentor-Protégé Program) as well as the National Defense Authorization Acts of FY13-16 (including sole source authority for the WOSB program). He represented the SBA and the Obama administration in hearings before Congress, including hearings with the House Small Business Committee, House Armed Services Committee, House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
National Minority Enterprise Development Week is celebrated September 14-19, 2020. For more information visit medweek.mbda.gov.
GovContractPros helps small, medium, and disadvantaged businesses leverage set-aside programs for growth and development. From inception to graduation and beyond, we are your trusted advisor in navigating complex rules, regulations, certification requirements, and an ever-changing landscape. We have in-depth knowledge of all the various set-aside programs, including the Mentor-Protégé and small business Joint Venture programs, and work with our clients to leverage opportunities for success. Our team is composed of both industry and government officials with unparalleled expertise in the federal marketplace. Our services are offered through traditional consulting engagements or as part of our membership platform. Learn more at govcontractpros.com.
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