Greetings!

When people start saying "It looks like your contacts are bothering you" and you don't wear contacts, maybe it is time to take a breather. But when so many positive things are happening, how can one slow down!?

I am in Detroit right now, just wrapping up from the Annual Veterans Conference. And a kind soul actually said that to me about my eyes, indicating that I must look a bit harried, or at the least, blood-shot.

I confess, yes I am tired. It has been a non-stop few weeks and I have spent every day with other over-achiever business people trying to make a difference for each other, and the gratifying thing is we are seeing results!

The week started by witnessing an Honor Flight into BWI. This is where WW1 vets (between the ages of 85-95!!) are flown into the DC area to go to see their memorial in DC. The men (about 15) and woman (1) slowly exited their plane and were greeted by not just an incredible line of sailors in uniform, but the entire concourse of the airport stopped everything and gave each veteran a standing ovation.

By the end, tears were flowing, hands grasped, hugs given and flags were waving. What a way to start the day!

Then spending the next few days in the presence of more veterans in Detroit, young and old, all with the intention of being successful business people...who would not want to give everything you could to support these wonderful folks?

I will be home in a couple of hours, able to hug my husband, put my feet up and get some eye drops! And reenergize over the weekend ready to celebrate the 4th with a new respect for the people who guard and defend us. 

As always, here's to YOUR success!   

Gloria Berthold Larkin
President, TargetGov
1-866-579-1346

Gloria Larkin has the honor of emceeing the Procurement Panel on Wednesday the 18th from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm. She hopes to see you there!

Women Vendors Get Less Than Price of Drone From U.S. Set-Asides

By: Danielle Ivory

Published By: Bloomberg News

June 21, 2012

A new federal program to help small contractors owned by women is drawing criticism from lawmakers and business advocates who say it has provided too little assistance to too few firms.

After an 11-year delay, the first contracts were awarded under the program in April 2011, according to federal procurement data compiled by Bloomberg. By the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30, agencies had doled out $21.1 million in set- asides, less than the cost of one Reaper drone. The contracts equal about 0.1 percent of the amount Lockheed Martin Corp. (LMT) (LMT), the No. 1 government contractor, won in federal awards last year in the April-September time period.

"To put it bluntly, $21 million is nothing," said Ann Sullivan, head of government relations for Women Impacting Public Policy Inc., a Washington-based nonprofit organization that promotes female-owned businesses.

Read the rest of the article.

Farewell To...

Oreta Stinson, Deputy Director