Equal Business Opportunity/Contract Compliance
Mission:
The Equal Business Opportunity Office (EBO) was designed to promote fair and equitable opportunities to all vendors participating in the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business (JSEB) program, in the city of Jacksonville's procurement process. Additionally, the EBO office strives to strengthen and build positive relationships between community business owners and local government.
Objective:
The JSEB program seeks success to create a contracting environment in which everyone has the opportunity to flourish. The program goals are to:
- ensure compliance on city projects
- promote economic development by offering technical and educational assistance
- encourage cooperative communication amongst various local agencies
- assist with financial needs by providing short-term lending programs
Meet the new team!
Derrick Willoughby, Jacksonville Business Assistance (JBA) Administrator
Derrick is the administrator of the Jacksonville Small and Emerging Business (JSEB) Program. In this role, he is responsible for administering the JSEB Program and supervising the Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Office team to ensure that the JSEB program operates in accordance with city ordinance section. 126.609.
He became a City of Jacksonville team member in August, 2010. His professional background includes experience in both private and public procurement. In addition, he has vast experience in administering federal, city, and private sector small businesses programs that include SBE/DBE/MBE programs. He has experience as a small business owner and small business consultant.
Derrick holds a B.S. degree in Workforce Development from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale Illinois, and a Master’s degree in Management from Webster University in Saint Louis Missouri.
Mr. Willoughby is a Birmingham, Alabama native and a military veteran that proudly served as a Chief in the United States Navy.
Chuck McNeil, JBA Analyst
Chuck is responsible for collecting, compiling and analyzing data relating to the JSEB program’s effectiveness. He works closely with various city departments to capture JSEB payment and usage data to produce an array of measurement and compliance reports. Further, he conducts application reviews to determine JSEB certification and re-certification approvals and denials.
He became a City of Jacksonville team member in January, 2008 as a Management and Budget Analyst and joined the EBO Office in August 2010. His background includes experience in analysis, budgeting, and performance measurement development and monitoring. Prior to joining the City of Jacksonville he worked with a city government agency out west as a Senior Management Analyst managing expenditure contracts and compliance.
Chuck holds a B.S. degree in Management from Park University in Parkville, Missouri.
Mr. McNeil is a Jacksonville, Florida native and a military veteran that proudly served in the United States Air Force.
Ezra Thomas, JBA Contract Compliance Officer – Construction
Ezra is the point of contact for contract compliance for construction projects as they relate to the JSEB Program. His role includes setting goals on construction projects, reviewing proposals for JSEB goal attainment, monitoring and ensuring JSEB construction contract performance and compliance. Further, he conducts application reviews to determine JSEB certification and re-certification approvals and denials.
He became a City of Jacksonville team member in October 2010. His background includes experience in general construction and construction management. Prior to joining the City of Jacksonville he worked with a locally owned private construction firm as a lead construction Field Engineer.
Ezra holds a B.S. degree in Construction Management from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida and is currently preparing to receive his General Contractor’s license.
Mr. Thomas is a Sarasota, Florida native and a military veteran that proudly served in the United States Army’s 82nd Airborne Division.
Martha Eaves-Knox, JBA Contract Compliance Officer-Professional Services
Martha is the point of contact for Professional Service projects as they relate to the JSEB Program. Her role includes setting project goals on professional service projects, reviewing proposals for JSEB goal attainment, monitoring and ensuring JSEB professional service contract performance and compliance. Further, she conducts application reviews to determine JSEB and Section 3 certification and re-certification approvals and denials.
She became a City of Jacksonville team member in October, 2010. Her background includes vast experience in contract management and administration, proposal preparation, pricing, negotiation and strategy. Prior to joining the City of Jacksonville she worked as a Senior Contract Manager and as a Group Contract Manager for a private sector firm in Washington, DC.
Martha holds B.A. degree in English from Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Ms. Eaves-Knox is a Jacksonville, Florida native.
Summary of JSEB/MBE Certification Requirements
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Ed Ball Building
214 North Hogan Street, Suite 800
Jacksonville, Florida 32202
Phone: (904) 255-8840
Fax: (904) 255-8842