Virginia MBDA Business Center

About This Center

The Virginia MBDA Business Center helps Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) gain greater access to contracts, markets and capital in the federal government. Our mission is to aid, counsel, and assist MBE’s create jobs and generate revenues to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. Our Center delivers strategic business consulting and technical assistance programs to help develop sustainable and financially stronger MBEs. We work closely with our clients to understand their capabilities and unique offerings and we help our clients develop and define near-term and long-term strategic growth plans to optimize the return on their investment and minimize risk.

Visit the Virginia MBDA Business Center website for additional information.

Staff Information

Program Director | Tommy L. Marks

Mr. Marks serves as the Director for the Department of Commerce’s Virginia Minority Business Development Agency Business Center, operated by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council. Responsible for managing relationships and sources of deals by promoting the interests of MBEs; educating MBEs on the benefits of strategic growth alternatives (e.g., mergers, acquisitions, and/or joint ventures); and providing service referrals to MBEs of all sizes. He served as the Director of the MBDA Federal Procurement Center, operated by the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council from August 2019-July 2021. Under his leadership the Center was recognized as an award-winning MBDA Century Club center, with over $20.3 billion in contracts awarded servicing 1,313 clients, resulting in 1,494 jobs created and 1,319 jobs retained.

Mr. Marks, is a retired member of the Army’s Senior Executive Service and the former Director of the Army Small Business Programs Office for the Secretary of the Army, serving during the period of 19 April 2015 to 30 September 2018. Prior to serving as a civil servant, Mr. Marks served 24 years in the Army as an Infantry and Aviation Officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in September 2001.