About this Event
USMSM Doing Business with Government Agencies Speaker Series
Session 5: Building Partnerships
Presented by the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM)
Strong partnerships among employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, government, and community leaders are essential to developing a skilled workforce and supporting long-term economic growth.
Join the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) for the fifth session of our Doing Business with Government Agencies Speaker Series, featuring Kevin Stotts, President of TalentFirst.
With more than two decades of leadership experience spanning education, workforce development, and community development, Kevin Stotts brings extensive experience working with business, education, workforce, and public-policy leaders to address current and future talent needs. As President of TalentFirst, he works with CEOs and regional partners to identify workforce challenges, evaluate effective practices, and advance strategies designed to strengthen West Michigan's talent pipeline.
This engaging session will explore how businesses, educational institutions, workforce organizations, and government can work together to build stronger talent pipelines, improve education-to-career pathways, and develop regional workforce strategies that respond to changing employer needs.
What You’ll Learn
During this interactive presentation, participants will explore:
- How businesses can better understand and navigate the government-business ecosystem
- Strategies for building relationships with government agencies and other public-sector partners before pursuing business opportunities
- How workforce development and talent availability can affect a company's ability to pursue and perform government contracts
- Ways businesses can partner with colleges, universities, and workforce organizations to develop talent aligned with government and industry needs
- How small businesses can strengthen their position within regional government, business, and workforce ecosystems
- The role of education and workforce organizations in helping businesses prepare for current and future government-related opportunities
- How businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions can identify shared workforce and economic-development priorities
- Strategies for developing partnerships that address skills gaps and strengthen the talent pipeline
- How regional workforce organizations can bring businesses and public-sector stakeholders together around common challenges
- Lessons from TalentFirst's experience working with business, education, workforce development, and public-policy leaders
- How communities can build stronger ecosystems that connect business opportunities, workforce development, education, and government
- Practical strategies businesses can use to become more engaged with government, education, and workforce partners
Whether you are a business leader, workforce professional, educator, government representative, entrepreneur, economic development professional, or community partner, this session will provide practical insights into building partnerships that connect talent development with the needs of employers and communities.
Event Schedule
5:00 p.m. – Doors Open & Networking
Network with business leaders, entrepreneurs, government representatives, educators, workforce professionals, faculty, students, and community partners before the presentation begins.
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Featured Presentation
Building Partnerships
Event Details
Date: January 20, 2027
Time:
Doors Open: 5:00 p.m.
Presentation: 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location:
University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM)
SMART Building
44219 Airport Road
California, Maryland 20619
Classroom 2303
Meet the Speaker
Kevin Stotts
President, TalentFirst
Kevin Stotts is recognized for his leadership on education and workforce issues affecting West Michigan and the state of Michigan. As President of TalentFirst, a position he has held for 14 years, Kevin works with leaders in business, education, workforce development, and public policy to develop solutions to current and future workforce needs.
TalentFirst serves as a catalyst for developing an ongoing supply of world-class talent for West Michigan. The organization is composed of more than 100 CEOs representing a region of approximately 1.8 million residents. TalentFirst works to identify workforce gaps, evaluate leading practices, and advocate for implementation of effective approaches to strengthen the region's talent and employment ecosystem.
Kevin brings more than two decades of nonprofit leadership experience encompassing education, workforce development, and community development. He has served on numerous nonprofit, state, and local boards and commissions and has been recognized for his leadership and contributions to the region, including being named to the Grand Rapids Business Journal's 40 Under 40 and Crain's West Michigan's 200 Most Influential Leaders.
His expertise on education and workforce issues has been frequently featured in local publications, and his work reflects a commitment to connecting employers, educators, workforce organizations, and community leaders around shared workforce challenges and opportunities.
Kevin grew up in Detroit and has lived in communities throughout Michigan, giving him an appreciation for the state's diverse economy and the different workforce needs of its communities.
Education & Professional Development
- Associate Degree, Northwestern Michigan College
- Bachelor of Arts in International Relations, James Madison College, Michigan State University
- American Enterprise Institute Fellowship Program
Who Should Attend?
This session is designed for:
- Small businesses and entrepreneurs
- Government contractors and subcontractors
- Business leaders and executives
- Workforce development professionals
- Education and training professionals
- College and university faculty and administrators
- Federal, state, and local government employees
- Economic development professionals
- Human resources and talent development professionals
- Community and nonprofit organizations
- Faculty, students, and researchers
- Anyone interested in workforce development, talent strategy, and building stronger partnerships
Building a Stronger Workforce Through Collaboration
Developing a strong workforce requires more than individual organizations working independently. Employers, educational institutions, workforce organizations, government agencies, and community partners each bring different expertise, resources, and perspectives to the workforce development process.
This session will provide an opportunity to learn from Kevin Stotts, a leader with extensive experience bringing these sectors together to address workforce challenges and strengthen regional talent strategies.
Participants will gain practical insights into how employers can engage with education and workforce organizations, how communities can better align talent development with employer needs, and how cross-sector partnerships can create stronger pathways from education and training to meaningful employment.
The discussion will also highlight the importance of identifying workforce gaps, sharing effective practices, and creating sustained partnerships that can adapt to changing economic and talent needs.
Registration is free; however, advance registration is encouraged as seating is limited.
For questions, please contact [email protected].
Event venue & nearby stays
44219 Airport Rd, 44219 Airport Road, California, United States
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