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Michelle Tatom Orlando International Airlort Orlando , Florida June 2015
Michelle Tatom ( 2nd from left ) hosted the AMAC Economic Opportunity and Policy Forum at the OIA in December 2014 .
� The OIA South Terminal Expansion project is currently underway , with M / WBE and DBE goals in excess of 30 percent .
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OIA anticipates completion of the South Terminal Expansion in the summer of 2017 . “ This project represents a major opportunity for our small and diverse firms ,” Tatom said .
In addition to the major capital improvement activities at OIA , Tatom ’ s office also manages an impressive ACDBE program . She said , “ We have 57 in-line retail units and our three-year ACDBE goal is 27.5 percent , with 24.5 percent being race-conscious . We also have an 8 percent goal for our DBE Rental Car Program .” Tatom believes that OIA ’ s innovative and diligent approach to the concessions program has helped create success . She said , “ In the Rental Car Program we have been able to increase opportunities in areas like body shop repair , car transport , and oil change operations . This has helped us meet our Rental Car Program goals and has provided great opportunities for DBE firms .”
Another innovative program developed by OIA is the Designated Mobilization Program ( DMP ) for firms in the Local Developing Business Program . The DMP allows firms with a fully executed agreement to borrow 5-10 percent of the contract amount from the local McKoy Federal Credit Union at the low interest rate of 5.2 percent . Then when the LDB firm begins work on the associated project , joint checks payable to both the LDB vendor and McKoy Federal Credit Union are issued to allow for repayment of the mobilization loan . “ This has been a great program for us to help vendors get over the major hurdle of having the capital necessary to start larger projects ,” Tatom said .
Tatom attributes her success to her own three Ps of patience , persistence and perception . She said , “ To be successful as a DBE professional , you need to know your airport and need to be able to understand what is involved in all aspects and projects . You can ’ t be afraid to ask questions and you must know your community . Finally , you have to pick your battles and win your wars . You can ’ t fall on a sword for every issue .”
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“ This article was originally published in American DBE Magazine , Spring 2015 . Permission for use granted by www . AmericanDBE . com .”
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