2022 SPEAKERS
Deborah Williams
MSM, Senior Director, Program Management Supplier Diversity & Sustainability (EPP)
Premier, Inc.
Deborah Williams, MSM joined the Premier healthcare alliance as the Senior Director of Supplier Diversity in 2008 and became responsible for the Premier Supplier Diversity Committee. Under her leadership, she launched and enhanced the program to include the Sourcing, Education and Enrichment for Diverse and Small Suppliers (SEEDS), a program aimed at increasing the number of small, diverse, and regional enterprises on the Premier contract portfolio. In 2018, her responsibilities were expanded to include Premier’s Sustainability (EPP) program.
Williams has more than 35 years in business development, strategic contract negotiations and supplier contract management in the healthcare industry. She came to Premier from Mills-Peninsula Health Services, a Sutter Health affiliate, in Burlingame, California, where she was the Director of Contracting and Value Analysis. Before that, she was a Medical Surgical Service Line Director for Broadlane Inc., assigned to the Kaiser Permanente account. Williams spent 23 years at Detroit Medical Center serving as a contract administrator, marketing support manager and a strategic sourcing manager responsible for the Detroit Medical Center’s Affiliate program.
Among Williams numerous accomplishments, she is the board chair of the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance, founding member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council – Healthcare Industry Group and Field Operations Council and immediate past board chair of the Carolinas-Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council. A native of Brooklyn, Williams’ has a B.S. in business and M.S. in management from Walsh College and a M.B.A from Strayer University.
Vicky Lyle
Vice President of Industry Associations
Owens & Minor
Vicky Lyle is the Vice President of Industry Associations at Owens & Minor, where she leads the Company’s involvement with industry and trade organizations worldwide. She currently serves on the executive board for Professional Women in Healthcare (PWH) as the Chair for the 2021 and 2022 term. She also serves on the board of Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance (HSDA) and serves on the Council of Supplier Diversity for Health Industry Distributors Association (HIDA). Vicky has been with Owens & Minor for 35 years, contributing business and technical expertise across all facets of the supply chain.
Prior to her current role, she served as Operating Vice President, Service Line Strategy, where she was responsible for the development of the inventory solutions platform along with service line operations, implementation and support.
In her time with the Company, she has led several strategic cross-functional projects, including business acquisitions, distribution center strategy, and the creation of Owens & Minor’s Third Party Logistics (3PL) service offering.
Vicky holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Averett University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Amber Lawhorn
Manager
Jackson Health System’s Small Business Enterprise Program
Ms. Lawhorn leads Jackson Health System’s Small Business Enterprise Program, managing the diverse supplier program for the third-largest hospital system in the nation. In her role, she supports the economic development of local Miami-Dade County and national diverse communities by increasing, enhancing and facilitating sourcing opportunities. Through advocacy, community outreach and engagement, and building strong relationships, Ms. Lawhorn provides opportunities that foster the growth and sustainability of small and historically underutilized businesses.
Ms. Lawhorn holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Florida International University and is an Institute for Supply Management Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD). In her spare time, she enjoys quality time with family and friends, travel, and everything music.
William “Joe” Reubel
President and CEO
Kerma Medical Products, Inc.
William “Joe” Reubel is the President and CEO of Kerma Medical Products, Inc. Kerma is a Veteran-Minority Owned Company (VOSB) located in Suffolk, Virginia (Corporate and Manufacturing location) with a division in Miramar, Florida (Direct Sales location). Joe is an Army veteran and a second generation, minority, small business entrepreneur. He launched his first business in 1984 providing helicopter service for oil exploration, reforestation and seismographic surveys. He later incorporated a telecommunications division, and a wholesale healthcare division. Joe began working with Kerma at inception and in 2006, he purchased the company from his Aunt and Uncle, who founded the company in 1991. Over the past 26 years, Kerma has established itself in the healthcare industry as a company that manufactures, assembles, and packages medical products, along with the direct delivery of Small Cap Equipment and Supplies. Kerma is now one of the largest diversity manufacturer/supplier companies in the private sector. Joe is an active Board Member with HIDA’s Executive Board, Montero Medical Missions (MMM), Hilton Publishing Company (HPC), and the Richmond Make a Wish Foundation.
Rosa Costanzo
Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain Management and Chief Procurement Officer
Jackson Health System (JHS)
Mrs. Rosa Costanzo serves as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain Management and Chief Procurement Officer for Jackson Health System (JHS), the third largest public hospital system in the nation. Mrs. Costanzo oversees the materials management, procurement, value analysis, print shop, mailroom, logistics, receiving, real estate, procurement construction, supply automation and inventory management operations for the system, which includes six hospitals, twelve specialty-care centers, two long term care centers and health clinics. Prior to her employment with JHS, she served as the Administrative Director of Support Services and Materials Management at Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, NY.
Mrs. Costanzo holds a Master of Health Care Administration from Saint Joseph’s College and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Western Connecticut State University, as well a number of certifications, including Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) from the Institute for Supply Management.
Andrea Reubel-Walker
Director of Marketing & Key National Accounts
Kerma Medical Products
Andrea Reubel-Walker attended Central Washington University. After receiving her BA, she began her career as a Multi-Program Manager. There she developed her skills in Marketing products and services, as well as developing and implementing programs and opportunities.
In September 2007, Andrea joined the family’s company at Kerma Medical Products. Kerma is a Veteran-Minority Owned Company located in Suffolk, VA with a division in Miramar, FL. Kerma manufactures, packages, and assembles a large variety of medical/surgical products as well as manages the delivery of small cap equipment and supplies.
As the Director of Marketing & Key National Accounts, Andrea spearheaded the development and successful incorporation of Kerma’s marketing department and has been responsible for growing Kerma’s marketing ability. She is also known for her organization and operational skills, strategic planning and implementation, business opportunity and customer development, and sales nationwide.
Andrea is on the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Alliance (HSDA), a graduate of the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth (Building a High-Performing Minority Business), Member of the HIDA Acute Care Advisory Council, Co-Chair of the HIDA Supplier Diversity Council, and volunteers in her community.
Beverly Kuykendall
Vice President of Corporate Growth
AvMEDICAL, LLC
Beverly Kuykendall, Vice President of Corporate Growth for AvMEDICAL, LLC a Medical Supply Distribution and Logistics Company based in Franklin, TN and a Verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. Beverly also serves as Managing Partner of Kuykendall and Associates, LLC a federal contracting strategy development firm. Beverly facilitates collaboration between federal agencies, advocacy groups and entrepreneurs seeking to expand into federal procurement.
Kuykendall and Associates is comprised of a team of government experienced professionals. The company’s mission is to work with medium to large sized firms to interpret the labyrinth of federal contract codes and regulations, put federal contract awards into portfolios and revenue on the books.
Beverly’s previous experience includes securing contracts with United States Aid for International Development (USAID) to provide Humanitarian Aid in support of the Syrian Refugee Effort, the Defense Logistics Agency to Integrate Operating Rooms across the Department of Defense Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs), collaborating with the U. S. Ability One Commission on a program to provide Make-to-Order (MTO) kits and assemblages across the government, creating a successful, revenue-generating federal small business program for a major roofing and manufacturer of sealants protective coatings and weather proofing compounds.
Beverly has created federal contracting programs for the Women Business Enterprise Network-West (WBEC-West), the southern California Minority Supplier Development Council (SCMSDC) The National Association of Minority Contractors of Los Angeles (NAMCLA), Southern California Edison, the Minority Business Development Agency, and more. She is a highly sought-after speaker, celebrated leader, and a co-founder of two advocacy organizations. She has numerous awards of recognition from The United States Senate, the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) for her innovative efforts in support of advancing opportunities for small, disadvantaged businesses.
In September, Beverly participated as a federal contracting panelist during the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week in Washington, DC.
Angie Thomas
Vice President of Government Accounts Management and Enterprise Supplier Diversity
Cardinal Health
Angie Thomas is the Vice President of Government Accounts Management and Enterprise Supplier Diversity for Cardinal Health. She is responsible for managing the contractual requirements and other strategic initiatives for some of the company’s largest federal government customers – Department of Defense and Veterans Administration. She is also responsible for the company’s supplier diversity program which fosters the promotion, growth, and development of diverse businesses within the organizations supply chain.
She has held a number of positions of increasing responsibility during her 27-year career at Cardinal Health.
Angie has been engaged in various activities throughout her career to include the Black and African American Employee Resource Group – BOLD for the last 20 years, the Racial Equity Cabinet, the DE&I Council, Generation Rx. She currently holds a Board seat for the Columbus Chapter of the National Sales Network, Columbus Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Columbus Chapter of United Negro College Fund (UNCF).
Angie has raised her 18-year-old great niece, Serenity since the age of 5. In fall of 2022, Serenity will be beginning her freshman year at the University of Cincinnati as a proud Bearcat.
Edward A. Pesicka
President & Chief Executive Officer
Owens & Minor
Ed Pesicka was named President & Chief Executive Officer of Owens & Minor, effective March 7, 2019, and was appointed to the Board of Directors at the same time. Ed is a seasoned senior executive with more than 25 years of business and operational experience focused on distribution, manufacturing, and service for the healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and scientific research industries.
Before joining Owens & Minor, Ed served in various roles of increasing responsibility at Thermo Fisher Scientific, a $17 billion manufacturer and supplier of a range of products to the research, healthcare, industrial, and safety markets, including most recently as Chief Commercial Officer & Senior Vice President.
During his tenure at Thermo Fisher, Ed ran up to an $8 billion portfolio of global distribution, manufacturing and service businesses. He also served as Chief Financial Officer for multiple divisions.