Department of Defense Industrial Base Policy Leader Visits Maryland APEX Accelerator

College Park, MD, September 11, 2025, Maryland APEX Accelerator

proudly welcomed Dr. Vic S. Ramdass, Acting Assistant Secretary of

Defense for Industrial Base Policy, for a site visit to its headquarters,

where he met with staff and clients to learn more about the program’s

role in strengthening the nation’s defense industrial base.

 

Program Director Denise Warner, opened the visit with an overview of

Maryland APEX’s counseling and training services, which equip small

businesses with the knowledge and tools to compete successfully in

the government marketplace. Dr. Ramdass praised the group,

stating: “Congratulations to you all. We are so impressed by

the small businesses we met today. Your presentations show that

your passion is clear. We will start measuring the barriers you are

facing in government contracting so we can commit to clearing the

path to success.”

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Five Maryland APEX clients presented their success stories,

demonstrating how their businesses contribute to a more robust,

resilient and modernized defense industrial ecosystem. Their

capabilities span cybersecurity, supply chain logistics, and defense

technology, reflecting the innovation and expertise small businesses

bring to the defense marketplace.

 

One client, Cynthia Mitchell, CEO of A Mylestone Group, shared: “We started in business only
18 months ago with nothing. And now with APEX’s help, we have won contracts at all levels of government.”

 

The visit highlighted Maryland APEX Accelerator’s critical role in preparing small businesses to meet DoD’s industrial base goals of fostering innovation, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring small business inclusion in defense procurement

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About Maryland APEX Accelerator

The mission of the Maryland APEX Accelerator is to help position businesses registered in the state of Maryland to fully compete in federal, state, and local government procurement processes. The Program was authorized by Congress in 1985 in an effort to assist small businesses in participating in the Government Marketplace. The Maryland APEX Accelerator opened its doors in 2002 and is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Defense and hosted by the University of Maryland in College Park. For further information, please visit https://www.marylandapex.org/program

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