Sherry Rose
Procurement Specialist
NJIT Procurement Technical Assistance Center

The New Jersey Institute of Technology’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) is your resource for selling to federal, state and local governments and to prime contractors. We provide free counseling, in addition to training and technical resources to New Jersey-based companies. Our resources help clients navigate the procurement process to better identify viable sourcing opportunities in the government and private sector marketplaces. All of our services are free of charge. To become a client, please register on our website: www.njit.edu/ptac

After a long career in government contracting with the federal government, Sherry Rose joined the NJIT PTAC as a Procurement Specialist. She provides individualized counseling, assistance with registrations and certifications, training in government rules, regulations and procedures, assistance in reviewing solicitations and proposals, marketing guidance, electronic bid matching, and access to workshops, seminars, and webinars.

Sherry Rose
Email: srose@njit.edu

Dr. Jackeline D. Mejias-Fuertes
Regional Director
America’s SBDC New Jersey

Jackeline serves as the Regional Director for America’s SBDC New Jersey covering Monmouth and Ocean counties. In her professional life, there are endless examples of her initiative, creativity and excellence. Jackeline brought the center into the spotlight through her forward-thinking, cutting edge approach to entrepreneurship. Under her leadership, the center has assisted in the growth of multiple businesses and has won numerous awards ranging from Economic Development for their impact in Monmouth and Ocean counties to winning national pitch competitions.

She has over thirty-five years of experience in marketing and over twenty years of entrepreneurship expertise. She is a leader, seasoned business advisor, strategist, speaker and entrepreneur. Throughout her career, Jackeline has demonstrated abiding interest in the people with whom she works, sharing her knowledge, experience and entrepreneurial spirit. To top off her outstanding abilities, she does it with equal facility in English and Spanish.

Dr. Jackeline D. Mejias-Fuertes
Email: jfuertes@brookdalecc.edu

Nadir A. Jones
New Jersey Department of Transportation
Office of Civil Rights & Affirmative Action
Manager, Contract Compliance & DBE/ESBE Programs

Over the past 20 years Mr. Jones has had a distinguished career in the Civil Rights, Transportation, and Infrastructure industry. He currently serves as the Executive Manager for DBE programs and Contractor Oversight for the New Jersey Department of Transportation Office of Civil Rights. Within this role, he provides overall leadership and coordination in the delivery of The Department’s external Civil Rights programs with the goal of promoting equity, opportunity, and inclusion on all DOT and Local Aid assisted projects.

Mr. Jones is also responsible for managing the Nation’s first Federal regional Small Business Development Program implemented by the New York MTA under the leadership of Chief Diversity Officer Michael J. Garner. His public Sector experience includes working for 4 of the top 10 largest State Transportation Agencies within the United States (NJ Transit, The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey, Washington D.C. Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York MTA). His private Sector experience includes working for one of the largest Construction Management firms in the United States (Bovis Lend Lease, Inc.) now known as Lend Lease.

Nadir A. Jones
Website: www.state.nj.us/transportation/business/civilrights/

John Cronin
Certification Auditor
New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services

John Cronin is Certification Auditor with The State of New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. He has served New Jersey’s Small Business Community as Certification Auditor for 18 years in N.J. state government. His job is to review and approve State of New Jersey certification applications for women and minority businesses. (MBE; WBE; MWBE). He also reviews and approves New Jersey Small Business Vendor Registration (SBE), Veteran Owned Business (VOB), and Service-Related Disabled Veteran Owned Business (DVOB) applications.

John received his BSBA degree from Western New England University. He went on to receive an MBA from New York University Graduate School of Business. Most of his career has been in banking and the securities industries. For many years, he was board member and Chairman of The New Jersey Development Authority for Small Businesses, Minorities and Women’s Enterprises.

John Cronin
Email: john.cronin@treas.nj.gov
Website: www.njportal.com/dor/sberegistry

Ana Villagran
Certification Auditor
New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services

Ana Villagran is a Certification Auditor at The State of New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services. For over 15 years she has helped New Jersey small business providing information and technical assistance for the application process and qualifications. She reviews and evaluates applications from vendors who apply to participate in the New Jersey State Certification Program for Minority/Women Owned (MBE/WBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), Veteran Owned Business (VOB), and Disabled Veteran Owned Business (DVOB). She also assists on how to navigating the NJ Selective Assistance Vendor Information System (NJSAVI).

Ana Villagran
Email: ana.villagran@treas.nj.gov