Wednesday, April 14, 1999
Boost for minority contractors
Hamilton Co. hires head to oversee program
BY LUCY MAY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
A small-business owner will lead Hamilton County's efforts to award more contracts to small businesses and firms owned by women and minorities.
Stan Williams Jr., 39, who held top posts at two local printing companies and owned his own firm, will start Monday as the county's new director of small, minority and female business development.
County officials have been under considerable pressure from critics who charge they aren't doing enough to include minority- and women-owned firms in building the Bengals' Paul Brown Stadium.
Mr. Williams said he thinks the county's philosophy of using goals instead of set-asides for minority and women business owners can work.
“We just have to be true to our course,” he said, “to try to find qualified minorities and get them the opportunity to bid on these jobs that are available.”
The county in 1995 committed to a goal of 15 percent participation by minority-owned and women-owned businesses on the new stadiums for the Bengals and Reds. The county's latest figures showed 9 percent of stadium contracts issued through February have gone to firms owned by minorities or women.
Mr. Williams stressed his work will be broader than the stadiums, saying he wants to make sure more minority- and women-owned businesses bid on all the county's contracts.
“It's going to be a challenge, there's no question,” he said. “You have to make sure people understand the process and how to compete.”
Suzanne Burke, the county's director of administrative services, said Mr. Williams' experience and community involvement helped him win the job. About 40 people applied.
“His presence in the Cincinnati community and his organizational in volvement — that's a plus, just knowing people and having these relationships,” she said.
County Commissioner Bob Bedinghaus said he thinks Mr. Williams “knows what he's getting into.”
“Obviously this is a high-profile position, and we're looking for someone who's willing to think outside the box and yet someone who understands the parameters we operate in,” Mr. Bedinghaus.
“My hope is that when we're done, we will have set the standard for future governments in this area.”
Mr. Williams' resume lists work with the United Way and Community Chest, Lighthouse Youth Services, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, the Cincinnati Minority Supplier Development Council and the Urban League.
The county advertised the job in January when Jonathan Railey, who held the post for two years, went back to Cinergy Corp. He was an executive on loan from Cinergy to help the county with outreach to minority- and women-owned businesses.
Critics of the county have questioned whether the new job will make a difference. Mr. Williams is determined that it will.
He will earn $48,110 in the job.
His duties will include:
• Develop and help implement plans to increase the number and amount of contracts awarded to small, minority and female businesses.
• Identify and recruit small, minority and female businesses that provide goods, services and construction services for participation in county contracts through competitive bidding.
• Develop and administer all required reports that detail the level of small, minority and female business participation.
• Monitor participation activities to ensure reporting reflects actual participation. For example, visit job sites, conduct audits and do interviews.
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