Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) was recently named the
‘Mentor of the Year’ by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Small and Disadvantaged
Business Utilization (OSDBU). This accolade, part of the Annual Small Business Awards Program,
recognizes SRNS’ exceptional mentorship and innovative support to small businesses, exceeding the
expectations outlined in the DOE Mentor-Protégé agreements.
Through a combination of innovative
approaches and dedicated
mentorship, SRNS teams have
empowered their protégés to
successfully compete for federal
contracts. By strategically aligning the
skills of small businesses with current
Site demands, particularly in sectors
dominated by larger corporations,
SRNS is reshaping the competitive
landscape.
J. Alex Agyemang, SRNS Senior
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
Deputy Director, reflected on the
program’s remarkable growth from
$400,000 to $39 million in total
commitments.
“This journey has not only allowed us
to share our knowledge and expertise
but also to learn from the innovative
and fresh perspectives that our
protégés bring,” said Agyemang. “The
true impact of this program lies in its
ability to drive growth, create
opportunities and build a collaborative
industry ecosystem. It's an honor to
see the transformative influence of these partnerships and to be recognized for our commitment to
nurturing future leaders in our field."
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) Supply Chain Management (SCM)
and Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business
Utilization (OSDBU) personnel during a recent National Veteran Small
Business Coalition event. From left: Jana Chavous, SRNS Lead SCM Program
Specialist; Tamara Miles, DOE OSDBU Principal Deputy Director; Charles
Smith, DOE OSDBU Director; Deborah Tyler, SRNS Supplier Engagement
Manager; and Nicola Ohaegbu, DOE OSDBU Senior Small Business
Advocate.
Historically, mentor-protégé partnerships have been leveraged to meet critical Site needs and supplement
capacity when existing contractors are fully utilized. This approach allows urgent requirements to be
fulfilled without undergoing lengthy procurement and bidding processes. The initiative helps bridge
contractor support gaps in essential mission areas, including construction, staff augmentation and
information technology.
Lead SCM Program Specialists Lori Gee and Jana Chavous, emphasized the foundational elements of
effective mentorship. “A protégé’s success is shaped by the foundation of mutual commitment, open
communication and strategic alignment,” said Gee.
“When experienced mentors invest in the
development of protégés through knowledge transfer, compliance support and real-world opportunities, it
cultivates a pipeline of capable, innovative and contract-ready small businesses. This strengthens the
DOE supply chain and promotes regional economic growth.”
Chavous added, “Winning this award is a tremendous honor. Our team’s success stems from a shared
dedication to trust, transparency and consistent involvement; these principles have guided our efforts
and enabled meaningful progress for both SRNS and our protégés.”
The SRNS Mentor-Protégé Program, lasting two years with an option for three additional one-year
extensions, currently supporting eight protégés. From FY24-FY25, SRNS expanded the program's
network from five to 12 protégés and celebrated the graduation of four businesses: US&S Facility
Services, CRC Technologies, Strativia LLC, and CTI and Associates, Inc.
CTI, having performed field work
for Environmental Compliance and
Area Completion Projects, evolved
from a small business to a large
enterprise in most registered North
American Industry Classification
System codes, graduating in April
2025. According to CTI President
Morgan Subbarayan, CTI’s
revenue grew from under $20
million in 2019 to nearly $100
million today, employing almost
300 staff and expanding across
multiple DOE sites.
“We were honored when SRNS
selected us as a protégé, aiming to
enhance our knowledge in the
DOE market sector and bolster our
internal security and compliance
processes,” said Subbarayan.
“SRNS supported our goals by
fostering a true partnership,
assigning key leaders to mentor us
Alyssa Canipe, SCM Program Specialist; Lisa Tanner, SRNS Senior Manager,
Supplier Mission Readiness and Engagement; Euleta Alston, US&S President and
Owner; Darien Alston, US&S Assistant Director of Operations; Deborah Tyler,
SRNS Supplier Engagement Manager; Lori Gee, Lead SCM Specialist during the
recent 2025 Small Business Fair. US&S is a recent graduate of the SRNS Mentor-
Protégé Program.
closely. This expert, one-on-one guidance has been transformative, significantly enhancing our ability to
collaborate with various DOE Management and Operations entities. This program is an unrivaled
mentorship — a one-on-one masterclass with seasoned experts that sets a new standard for business
development guidance within the federal program.”
The SRNS Mentor-Protégé Program will continue to support small businesses, reinforcing the DOE’s
mission to build a strong and capable contractor base. By enhancing the capabilities of small businesses,
SRNS ensures they are well-prepared to compete for contracts with the DOE and other federal agencies.