Damar Machine has been accepted into the Department of Defense Mentor Protege Program, with Boeing Integrated Defense as the Mentor. Damar is one of 134 particpants in the nation, and only the second Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business to be included.

(PRWEB) March 20, 2006 — Damar Machine (a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomas James International) and The Boeing Company have been accepted as participants in the Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor Protégé Program. The DoD Mentor-Protégé Program assists small businesses (Protégés) to successfully compete for prime contract and subcontract awards by partnering with large companies (Mentors) under individual, project-based Agreements.



The mentoring program will focus primarily on the development of Damars global subcontracting abilities in support of DoD activities as well as assist in broadening Damars management and technical skills. The development will consist of surveys in selected foreign countries, detailed training on exports and licensing and executive training at the Boeing Leadership Facility.



Since 1991, the Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé Program (MPP) has offered substantial assistance to small disadvantaged businesses. In 2005 Congress mandated that DoD include Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses in this program. Thomas James International, which owns Damar Machine and two other operating units, is the largest Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business in the nation. This is only the second Mentor Protégé agreement in the nation to include a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business. Thom Kroon, CEO and Chairman of Thomas James International (a Vietnam era combat wounded disabled veteran) stated: We are excited about participating with Boeing in this unique program. We believe that our success will pave the way for other disabled veterans.



Who: Congressman Jay Inslee, Sr. Boeing Management (from Chicago), DoD Representatives, and Sr. Management for Thomas James International.



What: Luncheon to announce agreement between Damar Machine (a wholly owned subsidiary of Thomas James International), the Boeing Company, and the Department of Defense to enter into a two year Mentor Protégé Agreement.



Where:

Damar Machine