The mission of the Business Certification and Compliance Unit is to ensure equal opportunity access to and fair treatment in government contracting. The unit strives to achieve its mission by maximizing contracting opportunities through certification of minority-owned, women-owned and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, certifying veteran-owned businesses, and enforcing the affirmative action laws and regulations required of contractors doing business with the State of Ohio.

Certification Programs

The unit has the responsibility for implementing the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE); Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE); Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE); and Veteran-friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) programs. Those responsibilities include:

• Certifying minority-owned, women-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, making them eligible to participate in the state's socially and economically disadvantaged business initiative programs;
• Maintaining a searchable database of certified businesses;
• Monitoring businesses’ compliance with certification requirements; and
• Implementing program rules and conducting training.

Compliance Programs

The unit has the responsibility for implementing the Construction Compliance program. Those responsibilities include

• certifying contractors’ compliance with affirmative action programs and equal employment opportunity laws and regulations;
• reviewing and approving affirmative action plans;
• monitoring state and state-assisted contracts and construction project sites;
• implementing program rules and conduct training; and
• providing assistance to state agencies, colleges, universities and municipalities with the implementation of construction compliance programs.

Team Members Todd McGonigle, Program Manager

Kathy Dabney, EEO Contract Specialist
Paul Holliman, EEO Contract Specialist
Priscilla Smith, EEO Contract Specialist
Alonzo Webb, EEO Contract Specialist
Tim Collins, EEO Contract Officer
Brenda Hodge, EEO Contract Officer
Darryl Kershaw, EEO Contract Officer

Charles King, EEO Contract Officer
Michael Lester, EEO Contract Officer
Donald Stinson, Jr., EEO Contract Officer

Certified Business Owners:
See Something, Say Something

We have created a hotline to receive allegations of possible fraud or abuse in the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE); Encouraging Diversity, Growth, and Equity (EDGE); Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE); or Veteran-friendly Business Enterprise (VBE) programs. Tips about alleged violations may be reported to the toll-free hotline by calling 1-888-623-8477 (MBE-TIPS). Allegations may be reported between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday by state employees, contractors, or the general public. Callers have the option to remain anonymous. Businesses that violate certification laws or rules risk decertification and the loss of business opportunities. Click here for frequently asked questions about the hotline.