14th CONS small business specialist wins first AF level award, memorial for mentor

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 14th Contracting Squadron director of business operations recently received the first ever Tandy Weaver Memorial Award for his outreach and community involvement with local small businesses.

Neil Cole was recognized for his outreach and involvement with nine organizations, conducting multiple training seminars directly targeted for expanding the small business vendor base for Columbus Air Force Base.

"I go downtown to do workshops and seminars for small businesses on how to do business with the government," said Mr. Cole.

Mr. Cole worked to bring new outreach programs and events that brought $471,000 of business opportunities to local small businesses while saving $44,000 for the 14th Flying Training Wing.

However, the award had a more personal touch for Mr. Cole.

"What was really special for me was Tandy was my mentor when I first got into this business," Mr. Cole revealed. "For me to receive the first memorial award in her honor was really something special."

Mr. Cole said that Ms. Weaver helped him start from scratch when he first took up his current position at CAFB, spending countless hours on and off duty teaching him how to facilitate relationships with, and create opportunities for, small businesses.

"She just lived and breathed it," said Mr. Cole.

Mr. Cole credited the unique relationship the base has with the local community to the success of his projects in the local area, saying that it wouldn't have been possible without the combined efforts of the base, small businesses, and small business resources.