By Camille Q. Solberg
How do companies participate in this economic recovery? When faced with having to raise capital to support a small business a bank was the traditional source. More and more companies are turning to government resources. For many the prospect is overwhelming unless you turn to experts with access that know how to point you in the right direction. Companies such as Corporate Political Strategies, LLC, (CPS) based in Washington D.C., might just be the answer for a small business trying to get assistance to stay strong in a struggling economy.
CPS has a proven track record of engineering, corporate, communications, community, and political affairs successes across the U.S. Each partner has executive business, political campaign and senior government experience, which makes financial and political access their core competencies and culture. “We were looking to use what we have learned, both from working in politics and working in at the highest levels of government and our commercial experience and the inner relations between commerce, politics and government. We knew there were a lot of businesses, Hispanic and other ethnic communities that were looking to really understand how this system operates and that is how we decided to structure ourselves and brand our company,” stated Leonard Rodriguez a partner with CPS. “Politics, commerce and government are tremendously interrelated,” Mr. Rodriguez added.
“We created a company that allowed small businesses and minority owned companies the opportunity to participate in government subcontracting. In addition to this service, we provide government relations, media strategy, fundraising for campaigns,” added Noe Garcia , Senior Partner of CPS.
With more than 12 years of policy, communications and political experience, Noe Garcia III, has managed key financial initiatives at the U.S. Department of Treasury, The White Ho use and the U.S. Senate as a policy and political advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury, the President of the United States and the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate.
His policy background and position in the Senate as a principal negotiator on issues including trade, his role as a political advisor to the President on immigration, and his financial role gained at the U.S. Department of Treasury provide him with unique insight into the internal workings of the U.S. Senate, Administration and financial industries. His experience also includes financial market policy, giving him a unique and high-level perspective on financial barriers and capital market access. Garcia also played a significant role in the last two Presidential elections, was named one of Hispanic Business Magazine’s “100 Most Influential Hispanics."
“What people don’t realize is that the government is the largest consumer in the world. People don’t realize that the government is a company essentially. It’s a consumer of goods and service You have to meet certain criteria to do business with the government. A lot of companies don’t realize that there are a lot of laws out there that are written so that small businesses can actually be hired by the government to provide a service or a good. This is important to know, especially in these tough economic times. Minority firms need to go out there and make sure that they are knocking on the right doors,” explained Garcia.
Mr. Garcia said that TARP (The Treasury Assistance Relief Program) spent 350 billion dollars and none of those dollars were granted to a minority firm. Minority firms need to meet certain criteria but it is not an impossible task to qualify for federal dollars. CPS reviews a company and their services and assesses the possible funding options. “There are definitely opportunities out there. You have to know how the system works,” added Mr. Garcia.
Their company has represented law firms, IT firms, construction companies, health care, housing, financial institutions and security firms. One example given by Mr. Garcia is how they have helped a technology firm. “This technology firm has less than a 100 employees. This firm buys used computer servers and upgrades them. Essentially, the government is always looking for technologies and companies with specific expertise. What we do is that we go out there and find contracts for them,” continued, Mr. Garcia.
CPS has competed for many government contracts and won them for their clients. According to CPS, to be effective you have to consistently give clients the internal political design and apparatus to increase their money and influence across commerce, politics and government. “We have been very successful in the little time that we have been running our company,” said Garcia. They believe that their insight brings them into the forefront.
The other partner is Leonard Brennan Rodriguez. His background gives him a keen view of the culture and dynamic between business and politics. From an award-winning author and publisher to White House Advisor and corporate and campaign consultant, Mr. Rodriguez has excelled as a business entrepreneur, government official and political strategist. He has been named as of the country’s “Most Influential Hispanics,” by Hispanic Business and Poder Magazine and profiled in Hispanic Magazine.
For information, advisory fees and products contact Corporate Political Strategies, LLC. They operates in Washington D.C., Houston and San Antonio and can be reached by calling 202-403-1137 or e-mailing corporate-advice@corporatepolitical.com or
politcal-advice@corpoartepolitcal.com. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. EST Monday through Friday.
Solberg-Quiros is a nationally published columnist and Hispanic activist. She resides in New London, Wisconsin.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Most fuel-efficient mid-size sedans in America showcased in Milwaukee last week
By Camille Solberg
During the 2009 Greater Milwaukee Auto Show at the Midwest Express Center the Ford Motor Company showcased their new line of fuel efficiency vehicles. The public had a opportunity for a hands-on experience with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s new line-up of fuel-efficient vehicles and smart technologies. Ford’s Rob Iorio, Manager of Hybrid Propulsion System Implementation Engineering spoke and demonstrated the line-up’s features, including the all-new SmartGauge with EcoGuide, SIRIUS Travel Link, Ford Work Solutions, and SYNC with 911 Assist.
Iorio is the leading development engineer of both engine emissions and drivability for Ford’s Hybrid Vehicles.
“I was in Milwaukee for the auto show and I was able to take two groups of students through Ford’s plant. It was great to talk to them and later go down to the show. Basically what I talked to students about was Ford’s plan right now. Which is it both a plan that is based on having one product development plan around the world and having a sustainable plan that delivers an affordable fuel economy for millions of people. I walked then through our new plans between 2013 and 2020, and what we expect 2020 and beyond,” said Mr.Iorio.
According to Iorio, Ford Motor Company launched the very first hybrid SUV in 2004. They have continued to improve their Hybrids and they have launched the second generation of hybrids in the 2010 Ford Fusion. “That comes out in about a month. The Fusion gets 41 city miles per gallon and 36 highway miles per gallon. It drives 8 miles per gallon more that the Toyota Camry and 2 miles more that the Camry on the highway. You can go up to 47 miles per hour on electric power without the gas engine running,” continue Mr. Iorio.
The vehicle can travel seven hundred city miles on one tank of gas. “This is just a fantastic vehicle to drive! It’s fun to drive and a great handling vehicle but is very easy to get fuel economy.
The car features a new smart gauge, has two high definition LCD screens that are on either side of the speedometer that can be customized. Another thing they do is give you positive feedback. For example if you drive very efficient ly, (i.e. you are not driving aggressively with the throttle), then your LCD screen displays “leaves” growing on a vine of your “Efficiency Forest”. That’s your reward for driving well. If you drive aggressively you will start to loose “leaves”, stated Iorio.. The eco drive in this Ford model guides you to drive more efficiently.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995. Anyone ordering the vehicle in March will be eligible for the maximum government tax credit of $3,400 dollars. This is a benefit to a buyer.
The Ford family is offering different other options that are available to all customers. Iorio believes that in the future most vehicles in American will be run with some form of electrification. “Is important for us to keep developing the products… to continue developing our engineering,” Iorio concluded.
The models showcased at the 2009 car show in Milwaukee were as follows:
2010 Fusion Hybrid: For the 2010 model year, the Ford Fusion lineup expands to include a hybrid model that offers 41 mpg in city driving - besting its competition by at least 8 mpg and making it the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America . The Fusion Hybrid offers the innovative SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide technology that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize their fuel efficiency.
2010 Milan Hybrid: The Mercury Milan adds a hybrid model for 2010 that, alongside the 2010 Fusion Hybrid, is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America.
2010 Ford Taurus: The car that changed America’s view of full-size sedans is all-new for 2010 and ready to take on the world’s best, with an upscale new design, impeccable driving dynamics, class-leading technologies and an unbeatable price tag.
2010 Mustang: America’s favorite muscle car hits the streets with a new exterior design and a more powerful V-8.
2010 Transit Connect: Ford fills an unmet U.S. commercial business need with its new Transit Connect - an industry-exclusive vehicle. The Transit Connect boasts low operating and ownership costs, a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter engine, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and a 1,600 pound payload capacity. Ford Work Solutions technology and cargo management systems make Transit Connect a smart solution for small businesses. Ford recently announced that a battery electric-powered version of the Transit Connect will be offered in 2010, kick starting Ford’s aggressive new el ectric vehicle plan which will lead to commercially available plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) by 2012. Ford has announced a partnership with Wisconsin-based Johnson Controls, Inc. to develop and supply the battery systems for the PHEVs.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ builds on years of success with a smaller MKZ which offers customers the ideal mix of luxury and smart technology. The seats are covered in top-grade leather and the features are comprehensive, from voice-controlled navigation and THX audio to a first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™).
For more information about this new line of vehicles go to www.thefordstory.com or in Espanol go to http://www.fordenespanol.com/.
During the 2009 Greater Milwaukee Auto Show at the Midwest Express Center the Ford Motor Company showcased their new line of fuel efficiency vehicles. The public had a opportunity for a hands-on experience with Ford, Lincoln and Mercury’s new line-up of fuel-efficient vehicles and smart technologies. Ford’s Rob Iorio, Manager of Hybrid Propulsion System Implementation Engineering spoke and demonstrated the line-up’s features, including the all-new SmartGauge with EcoGuide, SIRIUS Travel Link, Ford Work Solutions, and SYNC with 911 Assist.
Iorio is the leading development engineer of both engine emissions and drivability for Ford’s Hybrid Vehicles.
“I was in Milwaukee for the auto show and I was able to take two groups of students through Ford’s plant. It was great to talk to them and later go down to the show. Basically what I talked to students about was Ford’s plan right now. Which is it both a plan that is based on having one product development plan around the world and having a sustainable plan that delivers an affordable fuel economy for millions of people. I walked then through our new plans between 2013 and 2020, and what we expect 2020 and beyond,” said Mr.Iorio.
According to Iorio, Ford Motor Company launched the very first hybrid SUV in 2004. They have continued to improve their Hybrids and they have launched the second generation of hybrids in the 2010 Ford Fusion. “That comes out in about a month. The Fusion gets 41 city miles per gallon and 36 highway miles per gallon. It drives 8 miles per gallon more that the Toyota Camry and 2 miles more that the Camry on the highway. You can go up to 47 miles per hour on electric power without the gas engine running,” continue Mr. Iorio.
The vehicle can travel seven hundred city miles on one tank of gas. “This is just a fantastic vehicle to drive! It’s fun to drive and a great handling vehicle but is very easy to get fuel economy.
The car features a new smart gauge, has two high definition LCD screens that are on either side of the speedometer that can be customized. Another thing they do is give you positive feedback. For example if you drive very efficient ly, (i.e. you are not driving aggressively with the throttle), then your LCD screen displays “leaves” growing on a vine of your “Efficiency Forest”. That’s your reward for driving well. If you drive aggressively you will start to loose “leaves”, stated Iorio.. The eco drive in this Ford model guides you to drive more efficiently.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid will start at $27,995. Anyone ordering the vehicle in March will be eligible for the maximum government tax credit of $3,400 dollars. This is a benefit to a buyer.
The Ford family is offering different other options that are available to all customers. Iorio believes that in the future most vehicles in American will be run with some form of electrification. “Is important for us to keep developing the products… to continue developing our engineering,” Iorio concluded.
The models showcased at the 2009 car show in Milwaukee were as follows:
2010 Fusion Hybrid: For the 2010 model year, the Ford Fusion lineup expands to include a hybrid model that offers 41 mpg in city driving - besting its competition by at least 8 mpg and making it the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America . The Fusion Hybrid offers the innovative SmartGauge™ with EcoGuide technology that coaches hybrid drivers to maximize their fuel efficiency.
2010 Milan Hybrid: The Mercury Milan adds a hybrid model for 2010 that, alongside the 2010 Fusion Hybrid, is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan in America.
2010 Ford Taurus: The car that changed America’s view of full-size sedans is all-new for 2010 and ready to take on the world’s best, with an upscale new design, impeccable driving dynamics, class-leading technologies and an unbeatable price tag.
2010 Mustang: America’s favorite muscle car hits the streets with a new exterior design and a more powerful V-8.
2010 Transit Connect: Ford fills an unmet U.S. commercial business need with its new Transit Connect - an industry-exclusive vehicle. The Transit Connect boasts low operating and ownership costs, a fuel-efficient 2.0-liter engine, 135 cubic feet of cargo space and a 1,600 pound payload capacity. Ford Work Solutions technology and cargo management systems make Transit Connect a smart solution for small businesses. Ford recently announced that a battery electric-powered version of the Transit Connect will be offered in 2010, kick starting Ford’s aggressive new el ectric vehicle plan which will lead to commercially available plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) by 2012. Ford has announced a partnership with Wisconsin-based Johnson Controls, Inc. to develop and supply the battery systems for the PHEVs.
The 2010 Lincoln MKZ builds on years of success with a smaller MKZ which offers customers the ideal mix of luxury and smart technology. The seats are covered in top-grade leather and the features are comprehensive, from voice-controlled navigation and THX audio to a first-in-class Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™).
For more information about this new line of vehicles go to www.thefordstory.com or in Espanol go to http://www.fordenespanol.com/.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
