SBA Approves WESKEM, LLC and Cornerstone Equipment and Supply, Inc., Mentor-Protege Agreement
Two local firms, WESKEM, LLC, and Cornerstone Equipment and Supply, Inc. (Cornerstone) announced today that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved a mentor-protégé agreement between the two companies.  WESKEM, serving as mentor in the arrangement, currently provides waste management services at the Department of Energy (DOE) sites in Oak Ridge, TN under subcontract to Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC and other locations.  Cornerstone is a small, Native American owned disadvantaged business [8(a)] providing construction equipment and supplies to the DOE, DoD and commercial customers locally and around the country.  Both firms are also engaged in hurricane relief efforts in Louisiana.

An SBA mentor-protégé agreement creates an official business arrangement that ultimately benefits both the mentor and the protégé firms, but focuses primarily on facilitating business growth opportunities for the small, disadvantaged protégé.  WESKEM, acting as the mentor firm, has committed to providing resources to help Cornerstone improve various aspects of their business including financial management systems, business development processes and strategies, and other vital aspects of their business.

“This mentor-protégé agreement represents a great opportunity for Cornerstone” said Herstle Cross, President and CEO of Cornerstone.  “We will be developing new corporate infrastructure to support growth into new business lines, and gaining experience and capabilities in areas that compliment our existing expertise.  WESKEM is well-placed in the community and has connections to other large businesses through their ownership structure.  We think they will be a very effective mentor for us,” Cross said.

 “WESKEM and Cornerstone are a great match.  We have already been working together for several years in the Oak Ridge market, and our capabilities compliment each other,” said Andrew Smith, President and CEO of WESKEM.  “This is a terrific opportunity for WESKEM to help a top-quality, local, small business to refine their systems to accomplish rapid growth and long-term sustainability.  Our agreement also provides WESKEM an opportunity to team with a proven performer to bid on work for DOE and other federal agencies that we could not otherwise pursue,” stated Smith.