Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) was recently honored with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) ‘Mentor of the Year’ award.
The accolade, part of the DOE’s Annual Small Business Awards Program, recognized SRNS for its mentorship and support of small businesses through its Mentor-Protégé Program, according to a press release from SRNS.
The program has helped small businesses compete for federal contracts by aligning their capabilities with the needs of the Savannah River Site.
Since its inception, SRNS’s small business mentorship efforts have expanded from $400,000 to $39 million.
J. Alex Agyemang, Senior Supply Chain Management Deputy Director at SRNS, noted the program’s success in benefiting both the company and its protégés.
“This program has allowed us to share our expertise while learning from the new perspectives our protégés bring,” Agyemang said. “It’s been a transformative experience that fosters growth and builds a collaborative industry ecosystem.”
The Mentor-Protégé Program has contributed to the DOE’s supply chain by mentoring small businesses in sectors like construction, staff augmentation, and information technology, according to a press release from SRNS.
The program has been credited with enhancing small businesses’ ability to compete for contracts, especially when larger contractors are fully utilized.
Lori Gee and Jana Chavous, SCM Program specialists, emphasized that the program’s success is rooted in strong communication and mutual commitment.
Gee explained that effective mentorship is essential to small businesses’ success, as it provides valuable opportunities for growth and innovation.
“Mentoring supports small businesses by transferring knowledge, helping them meet compliance requirements, and creating real-world opportunities,” Gee said. “This strengthens the DOE supply chain and encourages regional economic growth.”
The program also recently celebrated the graduation of four businesses, including CTI and Associates, Inc., which has grown significantly since joining the program.
CTI President Morgan Subbarayan described the mentorship as a critical factor in the company’s success, with revenues rising from under $20 million in 2019 to nearly $100 million today.
“The guidance we received from SRNS was instrumental,” Subbarayan said. “It has strengthened our ability to work with various DOE entities and positioned us for further growth.”
SRNS’s Mentor-Protégé Program will aim to continue supporting small businesses, advancing the DOE’s mission of developing a strong contractor base while promoting growth and innovation across industries, according to a press release from SRNS.
