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Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, 2024

MBRT celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

In this month, we recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture and achievements they’ve made in the United States. This year our Chairman – Roger Campos would like to pay special tribute to his father – Art Campos (1913-1995) for his contributions to this country, his family and giving back to others less fortunate. We salute him and everyone for their courage and determination striving for the American dream.

“In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, I would like to honor my dad – Senor Campos – who served as my role model. As an immigrant from Mexico along with our family (my Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles) fleeing from the atrocities of the Mexican Revolution in 1919, they established themselves in California. Dad excelled in sports and received a college baseball scholarship that allowed him to get an education and graduate from the University of California at Berkeley with a Master’s degree. He taught high school before going in the Navy and serving as an officer in WWII. When he got out, he and a friend started making frito chips and then tortillas in 1947. Through hard work and determination, his business expanded and he sold tortillas and Mexican food products throughout the San Joaquin Valley of California. In 1964, he started a chain of franchised Mexican restaurants called SENOR CAMPOS that created jobs throughout the California Central Valley. He became one of the largest and respected Mexican food pioneers in California. He taught me the value of an education and I followed in his footsteps graduating from law school, working in the White House and for the Governor of Maryland. I forever value his business integrity, family values and giving back to underserved communities which I now serve as Chairman of the Minority Business RoundTable. Thank you, dad, for paving my way.”

The Tribute and photos attached are located in the McHenry Museum, Modesto, California.

Stephen Paul Campos has written a book (SENOR CAMPOS) about the Campos family history and Art Campos Mexican food recipes available on Amazon. Stephen has also kept our dad’s salsa recipe legacy alive offering SENOR CAMPOS SALSA/the best salsa on the planet.
Anyone can order his book and salsa online at: www.senorcampossalsa.com

New rules for disadvantaged businesses should maintain integrity

THE HILL by Roger Campos, opinion contributor – 09/19/24 

Shirley Hughes, owner of Sweet Cheats bakery, poses for a photo, Friday, April 15, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
A growing and alarming trend threatens to undermine the integrity of vital federal government set-asides for minority, women, veteran-owned and small disadvantaged businesses.

Unscrupulous companies, often backed by larger financial institutions, are exploiting loopholes and weak oversight to falsely claim status with the federal government as “disadvantaged” firms.

Federal contracting is a zero-sum game. When dollars are given to one company on a given contract, it necessarily makes them unavailable to another. Falsely claiming to be a small disadvantaged business takes away opportunities from real, deserving businesses that need these federal contracting opportunities to grow and thrive. 

Two recent examples come to mind. First, Florida-based contractors HX5 LLC and HX5 Sierra LLC, together with their owner, agreed to pay more than $7.7 million to settle allegations of falsely claiming disadvantaged business status in June 2023. The companies were accused of misrepresenting the owner’s assets and failing to disclose payments to family members while securing contracts with NASA, the Army and the Air Force.

R&W Builders of Illinois paid $400,000 to resolve claims of fraudulently securing contracts meant for disadvantaged small businesses. The company allegedly collaborated with a qualified disadvantaged business but violated program rules by taking control of the joint venture and completing most of the work themselves.

These beliefs are deeply personal to me. I previously served as the special consultant to the head of the Small Business Association, during which time I drafted the standard operating procedures for the federal government’s 8(a) minority business program

The 8(a) program is a vital initiative designed to help socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses compete in the federal marketplace. This nine-year initiative provides participants with training, technical assistance and contracting opportunities to strengthen their ability to compete effectively in the American economy.

These policies and programs are lifelines for minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses and other disadvantaged enterprises. The opportunities they provide are essential for leveling the playing field, allowing these businesses to compete in a marketplace that has historically favored larger, more established corporations.

It’s imperative that genuine small disadvantaged businesses can count on the access that the 8(a) and other similar programs provide. Small business set-asides provide an incredible opportunity for growth and innovation which federal agencies should encourage. 

I have seen firsthand the procedures required for verification, which are extensive and time-consuming, but necessary. The SBA should absolutely lean on partners that can offer a wealth of knowledge and experience to help ensure protections for small minority-owned businesses. 

Further, while government oversight remains essential, eligible and qualified small disadvantaged businesses should also have a direct hand in helping to close the loopholes that so clearly exist in the program’s self-certification process. 

Protecting the integrity of the small-business set-aside program is not just about fairness; it is about maintaining trust in the federal contracting system. Minority-owned businesses and other disadvantaged enterprises must be able to trust that the opportunities intended for them are not being siphoned off by companies that have no rightful claim to them. When this trust is eroded, the entire purpose of the program is undermined.

One solution to consider is robust oversight on firms that claim small disadvantaged business status. There are strict penalties for misrepresentation, such as fines up to $500,000 or up to 10 years of imprisonment, and/or both, and suspension and debarment from future contracts that should act as a significant deterrent, if enforced. 

These steps, combined with leveraging advanced technologies for more effective monitoring, would go a long way toward safeguarding the integrity of the program. If minority and small disadvantaged businesses are to succeed in today’s competitive marketplace, they must abide by the rules without interference by fraudulent companies. 

The SBA is currently rethinking the small disadvantaged business program after federal court rulings and has placed a “pause” on new 8(a) applications and new rules and regulations will be coming out this fall.  

My organization looks forward to enhanced collaboration with the SBA and other relevant federal agencies to drive immediate and decisive action to address this issue and prevent unqualified businesses from unfairly benefitting from a small disadvantaged business designation. 

Preserving small-business set-asides for rightful recipients will ensure that the businesses these programs were designed to help are the ones that truly benefit from them, promoting fairness, equity and economic opportunity for all.

Roger Campos is the chairman and founder of the Minority Business Round Table.

Dalrada CEO and Chairman, Brian Bonar receives the prestigious 2024 CEO of the Year Award

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 8, 2024
 The Minority Business RoundTable congratulates Brian Bonar being named the 2024 CEO of the Year for Dalrada’s respective business category by the San Diego Business Journal (SDBJ).

The announcement occurred during a special invite-only dinner and ceremony celebrating each of the finalists, held on June 27 at the Farmer & The Seahorse in San Diego’s famed Torrey Pines.

“We are so proud of our newest MBRT Member, Brian Bonar for being recognized as CEO of the Year by the San Diego Business Journal,” said Roger A. Campos, Chairman of MBRT. “He is truly deserving of this prestigious award.”

The coveted award was presented to Bonar, who was recognized by the SDBJ for his individual work and his leadership of the Dalrada team, which has resulted in the organization making tremendous strides and positive impacts in two distinct areas that directly affect the ongoing health and wellbeing of the world’s population: climate technology with its innovative commercial and home heat pump technology and providing accessible healthcare and specialty pharmaceuticals to patients who need them.

“What an honor,” Bonar said upon receiving the award. “I’m humbled by this award and I’m extremely proud that our team continues to make a positive impact around the world and especially within the San Diego community. This award belongs to everyone within our organization.”

About Minority Business RoundTable

Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT) is a national, 501c3 nonprofit organization originally founded for CEOs and top-tier entrepreneurs of small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses from various industry sectors with the goal of empowering them to achieve growth and prosperity. The organization works with corporate and government leaders to help formulate effective policies that improve programs, services, and introduce new initiatives dealing in an ever-challenging economic environment that impact minority and underserved businesses the most.

About Dalrada Corporation

Dalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB: DFCO) is a multi-national holding company that develops, manufactures, and sells a robust suite of products and services in the Clean Energy and Health Care sectors. Dalrada’s core segments include Dalrada Climate Technology, which offers cutting-edge heat pump technology for industrial and residential applications, and Genefic Specialty Pharmacy, which provides end-to-end prescription services as well as patient advocacy and support.

Dalrada Financial Corporation Joins Minority Business RoundTable, Accelerates Government and Private Contract Opportunities

July 1, 2024

Company earns special invitation from esteemed chairman and founder, Roger Campos, to join exclusive nonprofit organization.

SAN DIEGO, CA – July 1, 2024Dalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB: DFCO, “Dalrada,” “the Company”), announced today that it had accepted a formal invitation to join Minority Business RoundTable (“MBRT”), gaining further and exclusive access to unique business opportunities within the public, private, and government sectors.    

Dalrada’s admittance to the prestigious organization allows the company to work directly with MBRT Chairman and Founder, Roger Campos, and provides strategic opportunities within state and federal governments. This engagement demonstrates Dalrada’s continued effort to create impactful engagement while expanding its influence and reach within local, regional, and global communities. Additionally, Dalrada’s gold-level sponsorship represents a commitment to an ongoing relationship with MBRT.

Our membership with MBRT will certainly grow awareness of our company and our leading innovations that have the power to change lives, whether it be our climate technology or our healthcare solutions,” said Dalrada CEO Brian Bonar. “Joining the organization will also give us instant credibility among legislators and other important figures in Washington, D.C.

”MBRT is pleased to have business leaders like CEO Brian Bonar join our national organization who want to engage policy makers, along with giving back to local communities while expanding business opportunities.

Roger Campos MBRT Chairman and Founder

Campos personally invited Bonar and Dalrada to join the recognized nonprofit organization. Speaking of its newest member, he said, “MBRT is pleased to have business leaders like CEO Brian Bonar join our national organization who want to engage policy makers, along with giving back to local communities while expanding business opportunities. It’s international companies like Dalrada who are job creators with innovative technologies and solutions that benefit America and the global economy.

Campos’ public service career is extensive, and he previously served four years in the White House—in the Executive Office of the President and the Office of Management and Budget. He also served as a Special Assistant to the Secretary of Energy and as a Special Consultant to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.

More recently, Campos was appointed by Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, as his Business Ombudsman during his first term and later, Assistant Secretary for Business Development and Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Renewal & Enterprise) for the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), serving from 2015 until last year.

Campos’ organization, MBRT, empowers businesses to achieve growth and prosperity through active participation in public and private programs and initiatives. The organization also assists in navigating complex government contracting and procurement processes to win more opportunities for select businesses.

We’re very pleased to forge a dedicated working relationship with Roger Campos and MBRT and we anticipate great things to come,” Bonar added.

About Dalrada Corporation

Dalrada Financial Corporation (OTCQB: DFCO) is a multi-national holding company that develops, manufactures, and sells a robust suite of products and services in the Clean Energy and Health Care sectors. Dalrada’s core segments include Dalrada Climate Technology, which offers cutting-edge heat pump technology for industrial and residential applications, and Genefic Specialty Pharmacy, which provides end-to-end prescription services as well as patient advocacy and support.

Dalrada Financial Corporation consistently drives innovation that delivers maximum impact, bringing increased value to its shareholders.

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About Minority Business RoundTable

Minority Business RoundTable (MBRT) is a national, 501c3 nonprofit organization originally founded for CEOs and top-tier entrepreneurs of small, minority, veteran, and women-owned businesses from various industry sectors with the goal of empowering them to achieve growth and prosperity.

The organization works with corporate and government leaders to help formulate effective policies that improve programs, services, and introduce new initiatives dealing in an ever-challenging economic environment that impact minority and underserved businesses the most.

MBRT collaborates with companies and government agencies to foster economic opportunities for all entrepreneurs. Membership is by invitation only.

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