About MEA

MEA USA is a bi-monthly business news publication established in 2003 for

small/minority and women entrepreneurs.
The objective and mission is to review and address issues and policies as it relates to small/minority business owners domestically and internationally. We provide our readers with contracting and procurement news with motivating articles on innovative business techniques and strategies. We have a dynamic team of experts

in technology, finance and investments, healthcare, international trade, management, marketing, legal issues, travel, taxes, legislation, supplier diversity and cultural diversity. Topics include issues the business community needs to know today. Our regular editorial departments include: government news; corporate news; international marketplace news; profiles of minority firms, conferences and business listings.

MEA Magazine provides Public Relations, Marketing and Communications Services. The publication is a division of Minority Enterprise Executive Council, a national award-winning organizationÂ Â building relationships for minorities in both public and private sectors for over 16 years.

A Minority and Woman-owned business

Public Relations, marketing and communications services

Group of professional consultants

Excellent customer services

MEA provides public relations and marketing to promote the interests of African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Asian-Indian Americans, Hispanic American, women and veteran-owned businesses. The intent of public relations is meeting and satisfying three principle goals:

To provide services of the highest quality by adhering to high standards of competence, efficiency, integrity.
To provide public relations services of the highest standards tailored to the competitive needs of our clients working within their budget, cost effectively.
To promote and advocate for the economic empowerment of minority businesses in both public and private sectors.

MEA International, established in 2011 to promote global business opportunities. This quarterly publication will offer our readers new developments in global affairs, business, events and conferences, interviews with political and business leaders, trade and partnerships, and travel updates. The main focus is to connect the U.S. and international business community to form partnerships.

Gary E. Shumaker

Federal Contracting Advisor

Gary E. Shumaker has a broad range of experience in the profitable technical, management and administrative management of small companies that specialize in providing professionals services to the United States government. He has demonstrated expertise in business development in the federal sector. He is particularly strong in developing and facilitating the growth of processes necessary for the long-term success of small businesses. He is a recognized writer and platform participant on industry forums on related issues. He also has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions. He is a strong advocate of quantifiable measurement and external validation of quality performance. OST Federal Solutions has called him “one of the nation’s leading consultants who help small businesses overcome their lack of size and experience and succeed at winning contracts.”

Lamont Hames, Advisor

Lamont Hames is President & CEO of LMH Strategies, Inc., a Washington, DC-based leadership, management, and human systems consulting firm. He leads a team of practitioners that actively engages clients as advisors to assist in optimizing priorities within their organizations culture; delivering strategy, structure, and growth opportunities. In addition, LMH Strategies uses innovative SaaS products that compliment its consultative approach and delivery of solutions. LMH Strategies clients represent Government, Commercial, Media & Entertainment, Start Ups and Higher Education market sectors. Hames have led LMH Strategies to year-over-year growth and is celebrating its five-year anniversary in December.

As the former chief of staff for NASA’s Office of Small Business Programs, Hames spearheaded programs, policy, and influenced inclusive participation of minority business in the federal marketplace. Programs like its Mentor-Protégé Program not only remain in place today but also have been expanded and adopted as a best practice emulated by other federal agencies. During his tenure, NASA was consistently recognized for its award-winning supplier diversity program. While working on Capitol Hill as a Presidential Management Fellow assigned to the U.S. House Small Business Committee and later with former U.S. Senator Carol Moseley-Braun (IL), he played a pivotal role in the formation of the woman-owned small business classification and procurement targets in place at federal agencies today.

Hames have been an advisor, contributor, and friend to MEA Magazine since the inception of the publication over 25 years ago. He also serves on the board and in advisory roles of other technology start-ups and businesses.Hames resides in Northern, VA with his wife and two active entrepreneurial teenagers.

THOMAS D. JOHNSON Advisor

President, Business Research Services and Publisher, Set-Aside Alert

With four decades of experience in the Federal government contracting arena, Tom is an expert at government business development. He has negotiated numerous GSA Schedule contracts and has advised both large and small organizations. His clients have included Dun & Bradstreet, McGraw-Hill, and 3M Corporation, as well as numerous small businesses, HUBZone firms, 8(a) companies, veteran-owned businesses and tribal enterprises.

He is publisher of Set-Aside Alert: the nation’s leading news source for anyone working in the small business side of Federal contracting. With subscribers throughout the United States, Set-Aside Alert serves as an invaluable resource for small contractors, prime contractors, consultants, and government agencies.

Tom graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Chemical Engineering and a Masters in Industrial Administration. He served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps at the headquarters of the US Army Materiel Command.