2026 Certify & Amplify Webinar |
Grow your business through California’s contracting clearinghouse. |
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Thursday, July 16, 2026
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. |
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Online Webinar | |
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Are you a small or diverse business in California? If so, Bay Area electricity providers – MCE, Silicon Valley Clean Energy, and Ava Community Energy – are excited to invite you to this year’s Certify & Amplify webinar.
This event will help you certify in California’s Supplier Diversity or Small Business programs and amplify your business opportunities throughout the state.
Who is this event for?This event is for California businesses that meet the state’s small or diverse business qualifications:
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Small businesses must have 100 employees or less and must have an average annual revenue of no more than $18 million over the past three years.
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Diverse businesses must have a majority ownership (51%) of people who identify as women, minority, LGBTQ or have a disability.
You do not need to be an MCE, Ava Community Energy, or SVCE customer to attend.
Why should I certify my business?Supplier Diversity is a statewide program that encourages utilities to prioritize contracts and subcontracts with qualified diverse businesses.
Certification as a small or diverse supplier places your business in the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) or California Department of General Services (DGS) multimillion dollar databases used by utilities and state agencies for their contracting needs. This helps increase your visibility and credibility, creating new contracting opportunities across the industry. |
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| Asia Powell
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
Asia Powell is a Supplier Diversity liaison at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) where she is responsible for working with businesses, utilities, and community organizations to improve access to opportunities for small and diverse business enterprises. |
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| Dr. Vic Baker
EquitiFy, LLC
Dr. Vic Baker, MBA, is the founder, president, and CEO of EquitiFy, LLC, a premier provider of professional development solutions dedicated to empowering leaders, enhancing organizations, and driving success. Dr. Baker has personally completed the certification process for his business and has assisted numerous others in achieving their certification goals. Prior to establishing EquitiFy, he spent more than 25 years in the utility industry, focusing specifically on Supplier Diversity initiatives. |
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| Laura Rasmussen
Energy 2001 Inc.
Laura Rasmussen is the sole owner of Energy 2001, Inc., an MBA educated business attorney, and accomplished entrepreneur who led successful enterprises in the legal, manufacturing, real estate, and retail sectors before becoming Energy 2001's owner and Chief Operating Officer. Under Rasmussen’s leadership, Energy 2001 has emerged as one of Placer County’s most compelling small business success stories, and a leader in the growing renewable energy marketplace. |
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| Jon Gaskell
California Department of General Services (DGS)
Jon Gaskell serves as a Business Outreach Liaison with the Office of Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise Services, part of the California Department of General Services. In this role, he provides guidance on Small Business and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise certifications, as well as helping California business navigate the state procurement process. |
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Accessibility AccommodationsIf you are a person with a disability who requires an accommodation or an alternative format, please contact MCE at (888) 632-3674 or ada-coordinator@mceCleanEnergy.org at least 72 hours before the meeting start time to ensure arrangements are made. |
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