The Contracting Academy (TCA)

Helen Henningsen

Government Contract Specialist @ Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Steve Makovec

Government Contract Specialist @ Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Jean Marie Thiel

President @ Belonger Corporation

Ms. Thiel is President of Belonger Corporation, a specialty trades mechanical contracting company including all HVAC/R aptitudes, waste water, plumbing, as well as offers Construction Management, Facility Management, and Energy Based Performance Contracting. Belonger is women and Native owned and operated business. Ms. Thiel has 30 years of experience and success in the construction and services industry, specializing in federal, state and local projects. Ms. Thiel serves as Chair of the Executive Board of the American Indian Chamber of Commerce, as President of the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Association, and as Secretary of the Wisconsin Procurement Institute Executive Board of Directors. Ms. Thiel has received national accolades and recognition for her work with community, business and workforce development.

Wisconsin Procurement Institute

Kate Hill

President @ Heartland Information Research

Kate Hill is the founder and president of Heartland Information Research, Inc (HIR). HIR is a Milwaukee-based management consulting firm with experience in federal, state and local government contracting in addition to work performed for private sector clients. For business clients, HIR has worked collaboratively with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), UWM Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), SCORE, Chambers of Commerce, Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) and other business development organizations. Prior to starting HIR in 1998, her career included positions managing projects for federal government agencies and Fortune 100 companies. Kate Hill is also president of Dakonte Product Group, Inc (DPG). She started DPG in 2016 to manufacture sewn vinyl products in Milwaukee that are sold internationally to corporations, government agencies, distributors and online retailers. She is also co-founder of a small property management company that owns and manages several commercial and residential properties. Kate Hill earned her undergraduate degree and masters degree at the University of Maryland.