Quarterly Meeting of the State Committee of Vendors

Draft

June 4 and 5, 2026. 8250 Jamaican Court, Orlando, FL.

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Meeting called to order at 8:03 a.m.

Attendees:
District Representative 1, Alton Palmore, via Teams; District 2 Representative, Patrick Martin; District 3 Representative, Jim Gaudette; District 4 Representative, Darryl Brinton; District 5 Representative, David Stevens; District 6 Alternate, Kash Ahmed; Alternate; District 7 Representative, Jose Quintanilla; District 8 Representative, Jim Warth; District 9 Representative, Mike McCrea; District 10 Representative, Antonio Gonzalez; Vice Chair, Kurt Ponchak; Chair: Sead Bekric

Alan Risk, Bureau Chief; Maureen Fink, Operations Manager; Darrio Turnquest, Compliance Officer; John Ahler, Business Analyst; Greg Coon, Marketing; Brian Ashworth, Region 1 Consultant; Bernie Kaiserian, Region 2 Consultant; Jay Payne; Region 3 Consultant; Mark Holnes, Region 4 Consultant (via Teams); Alecia Brown, Region 5 Consultant; Yusnay Torrens, Region 6 Consultant; Angela Elgaard, Region 7 Consultant; Mary Ellen Harding, Administrative Services Consultant; Andera Mendez, Administrative Assistant III.

Guests: Phil Hubbard, District 6 Representative; T.J. McCormick, Licensed Vendor; Joy Banks, Instructor; Brandy Woodard, Instructor; Shanika Martin, Student; Stephanie Deshommes, Student.

Approval of Agenda
Motion: Approve agenda by unanimous consent

Approval of Previous Minutes

• March Meeting Minutes
• May Special Committee Meeting Minutes

Motion: Approve both sets of minutes by unanimous consent 

Motions & Votes
Motion: Ponchak moved the Committee strongly recommend that the agency advertise the operations manager position and include members of this committee in the full selection process. Second by Quintanilla. Motion withdrawn by Ponchak.

Bureau Chief Report – Alan Risk
The program is demonstrating strong overall performance and continued progress toward its fiscal year goals. Despite setting targets after the fiscal year had already begun, key indicators—including sales, net proceeds, and vendor participation—are trending positively. The number of active blind vendors, which declined during the pandemic, is recovering, and the program remains a national leader in vendor employment.
Strategic efforts are focused on improving the quality and viability of vendor opportunities rather than simply increasing the number of facilities. This has led to the consolidation of some locations to create sustainable, income-generating opportunities. As a result, vendor net earnings have increased consistently year over year, reflecting improved financial outcomes.
Program growth initiatives include:

• Expanding vendor opportunities through new routes and standalone facilities
• Increasing recruitment and placement of new licensees
• Strengthening outreach efforts to identify additional business locations

The program is also prioritizing expansion within military dining and vending operations, though it faces external challenges. Legal and policy threats to the Randolph-Sheppard Act, including protests and alternative dining models (e.g., campus-style operations), pose potential risks. Active legal efforts are underway to protect program priority, including a current protest related to Tyndall Air Force Base.

Operational improvements are ongoing, with leadership emphasizing:

• Better communication and coordination with committee leadership
• Enhanced training for selection panels and grievance processes
• Continuous review and refinement of policies and procedures

While collaboration with stakeholders remains a priority, the department maintains ultimate accountability for program governance, compliance, and performance.

Overall, the program is stable, growing, and well-positioned, with strong financial trends, expanding opportunities, and proactive management of emerging risks.

Interim Director Report – Trina Travis
Federal Update

• Kelly Rogers, former Director of Florida Vocational Rehabilitation, has been appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) within the U.S. Department of Education, signaling continuity of experienced leadership at the federal level.  

State Update

• Commissioner Kamoutsas has been selected as the sixth president of Polk State College, with a start date of July 6, 2026. No interim commissioner has been named; further updates are expected as transition planning progresses.
• The Florida House and Senate reached a budget agreement in May. The agency received level funding in the pre-veto budget, including full approval of requested items and budget authority for the Business Enterprise Program (BEP).

Division Update

• Rulemaking efforts are underway, including potential clarification regarding bidding processes—specifically differentiating between facilities and opportunities, which may significantly impact BEP operations.
• The Division of Blind Services (DBS) will celebrate its 85th anniversary with five events scheduled across Florida in October (Pensacola, Miami, Daytona, Tallahassee, and Ft. Myers), supporting stakeholder engagement and outreach.

Overall Insight

• The organization is operating within a stable funding environment, with positive federal and state leadership developments. Strategic focus areas include policy clarification (rulemaking) and public engagement initiatives (anniversary events), both of which may influence program administration and stakeholder relationships in the near term. 

Motion: Agenda reordering. Move elections of an alternate for the selection panel and permanent member for the grievance panel before the planning session by Ponchak. Second by Brinton.
Voice Vote: Unanimous
Passed

Grievance Board Election (Permanent Member)
Motion: Ponchak moved to open the floor for nominations of the grievance board member. Second by Brinton.
Nominations

• Jose Quintanilla
• T.J. McCormick
• Mike McCrea

Candidate Statements Provided

Vote (Roll Call)
District 1: Alton Palmore, via Teams - McCormick
District 2: Patrick Martin - McCormick
District 3: Jim Gaudette - McCormick
District 4: Darryl Brinton - McCormick
District 5: David Stevens - McCormick
District 6: Kash Ahmed, Alternate - McCormick
District 7: Jose Quintanilla - Quintanilla
District 8: Jim Warth - McCormick
District 9: Mike McCrea - McCormick
District 10: Antonio Gonzalez - McCormick
Vice Chair: Kurt Ponchak - Quintanilla
Chair: Sead Bekric – McCormick

Result:
T.J. McCormick elected in a 10-2 vote as Grievance Board Member

Selection Panel Alternate Election
Nominations

• Orlando Ramirez
• Mitzi Bowen
• Jeff Estebo
• Jim Anderson
• Darryl Brinton - declined

Vote:
District 1: Alton Palmore, via Teams - Bowen
District 2: Patrick Martin - Bowen
District 3: Jim Gaudette - Ramirez
District 4: Darryl Brinton - Ramirez
District 5: David Stevens - Bowen
District 6: Kash Ahmed, Alternate - Ramirez
District 7: Jose Quintanilla - Estebo
District 8: Jim Warth - Anderson
District 9: Mike McCrea - Ramirez
District 10: Antonio Gonzalez - Estebo
Vice Chair: Kurt Ponchak - Estebo
Chair: Sead Bekric – Ramirez

Vote: Bowen 3; Ramirez 5; Estebo 3; Anderson 1
Runoff Vote Required

Vote:
District 1: Alton Palmore, via Teams - Bowen
District 2: Patrick Martin - Ramirez
District 3: Jim Gaudette - Ramirez
District 4: Darryl Brinton - Ramirez
District 5: David Stevens - Ramirez
District 6: Kash Ahmed, Alternate - Ramirez
District 7: Jose Quintanilla - Anderson
District 8: Jim Warth - Ramirez
District 9: Mike McCrea - Ramirez
District 10: Antonio Gonzalez - Ramirez
Vice Chair: Kurt Ponchak - Ramirez
Chair: Sead Bekric – Anderson

Result: Orlando Ramirez was elected as Selection Panel Alternate in a vote of 9-3.

Darryl Brinton appointed as Chair of the Training, Retraining and Upward Mobility Subcommittee by Bekric.

Motion: Ponchak to have the training retraining subcommittee along with SLA revise the assessment interview questionnaire. Second by Brinton. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Motion: by Ponchak to refer the issue of mental and other evaluation criteria to the Policies and Procedures Subcommittee to evaluate the process for evaluating trainees and report at the next committee meeting. Second by Brinton. Motion passed by voice vote unanimously.

Motion: to refer to Training, Retraining and Upward Mobility Subcommittee how to meet the needs of the program for assessment of clients for work experience. Second by Brinton. Motion passed by unanimous consent.

Motion: by Ponchak to approve the Budget Subcommittee’s recommendation of the budget supplemental document (budget recommendation 26-27myv4 copy.xlsx). Second by Warth. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Motion: by Gaudette to accept the budget as proposed. Motion adopted by unanimous consent.

Motion: Ponchak moved the Policies and Procedures Subcommittee review and/or modify the Florida Administrative Code rule related to grievance and the policy related to grievance. Second Brinton. Motion passed unanimously by voice vote.

Motion: Quintanilla moved to approve Public Relations Subcommittee news release with Harding’s contact information subject to the approval of the Department of Education’s Communications Division. Second by Warth. Approved by unanimous consent.

Recessed at 5:10 p.m. 

Friday, June 5, 2026

Meeting called to order at 8:00 a.m.

Attendees:
District Representative 1, Alton Palmore, via Teams; District 2 Representative, Patrick Martin; District 3 Representative, Jim Gaudette; District 4 Representative, Darryl Brinton; District 5 Representative, David Stevens; District 6 Alternate, Kash Ahmed; Alternate; District 7 Representative, Jose Quintanilla; District 8 Representative, Jim Warth; District 9 Representative, Mike McCrea; District 10 Representative, Antonio Gonzalez; Vice Chair, Kurt Ponchak; Chair: Sead Bekric

Alan Risk, Bureau Chief; Maureen Fink, Operations Manager; Darrio Turnquest, Compliance Officer; John Ahler, Business Analyst; Greg Coon, Marketing; Brian Ashworth, Region 1 Consultant; Bernie Kaiserian, Region 2 Consultant; Jay Payne, Region 3 Consultant (via Teams); Mark Holnes, Region 4 Consultant (via Teams); Alecia Brown, Region 5 Consultant; Yusnay Torrens, Region 6 Consultant; Angela Elgaard, Region 7 Consultant (via Teams); Mary Ellen Harding, Administrative Services Consultant; Andera Mendez, Administrative Assistant III.

Guests: Phil Hubbard, District 6 Representative; T.J. McCormick, Licensed Vendor; Orlando Ramirez, District 4 Alternate.

Staff Reports
Operations Manager – Maureen Fink
Overview of Type 2 Facilities

• Total Type 2 locations: 25 (down from ~27–30 previously).
• Breakdown:
• 5 currently on bid sheet (some may come off soon).
• 3 will appear on the May/September bid sheet.
• 3 already awarded (January) but pending changeover into facilities.
• 13 still in sales-building phase (not yet strong enough to upgrade to Type 1).
• 1 under special circumstances due to operator medical leave.

Changes from Previous Counts

• Reduction attributed partly to:
• Merging of locations (example: Miami merged into another route/location).
• Some locations are still developing and have not yet reached higher performance levels.

Performance Updates

• Example: St. Augustine route
• Sales increased 25% from previous month (April).
• Shows positive trend but still not sufficient to attract vendors or qualify as Type 1.
• Overall message: gradual growth expected; progress is steady but slow.

Special Case — Medical Leave Location

• Operator is currently on medical leave.
• Facility placed on a Type 2 contract temporarily.
• Contract details:
• Set for 12 months (requested by vendor).
• Can be terminated early with 30 days’ notice if the vendor returns.

General Discussion Points

• Acknowledgement that several locations require time to mature.
• Focus remains on:
• Building sales steadily
• Transitioning locations when viable
• Managing temporary or special-case assignments appropriately

Compliance Officer Report – Dario Turnquest
CEU Compliance Update (2025–2027 Period)

• 115 active vendors required to meet CEU requirements
• Includes assigned and 13 unassigned vendors
• 109 of 115 assigned vendors (˜95%) are on track to meet or exceed requirements
• Upcoming update (within 2 weeks):
• Vendors will receive an itemized CEU completion email
• Vendors should review and report missing credits

Key Issues:

• Attendance tracking gaps (e.g., Teams meeting phone numbers without names)
• Some CEUs (e.g., VBASPT event, two-factor training) may not be properly credited
• Vendors must proactively report missing credits

Grievance Hearing Updates (Since March Meeting)
Four new grievance requests:

1. March 30
• Issue: Termination decision (Type 1 facility)
• Outcome: Grievance denied
2. April 10
• Issue: Alleged violation of election/selection policy
• Hearing: April 24
• Outcome: Board ruled in favor of vendor
• Director: Did not concur
3. April 13
• Issue: Denial of Type 1 facility
• Hearing: April 22
• Outcome: Board ruled in favor of division
• Director: Concurred
4. April 30
• Issue: Denial of Type 2 facility
• Hearing: June 2
• Outcome: Board ruled in favor (final decision pending director)

Selection Cycle

• May 2026 Selection Cycle:
• 7 facilities advertised (including vending routes)
• Locations include:
• Tallahassee, Gainesville, Lake City
• Multiple counties (Orange, Osceola, Seminole, etc.)
• 18 vendors applied

Key Dates:

• No activities: Week of June 9
• Interviews: June 22–24 (Daytona Beach)
• Facilities will be awarded after interviews conclude

Licensing Updates

• 7 new vendors licensed in 2026

Notable Licenses (May 21):

• Lee Whittington
• Cedric Mitchell
• Vida Alvida
• Victor (last name unclear)
• Kate Curlin

Panel & Vacancy Updates

• Vacancy for alternate panel member filled
• Vacancy for grievance panel member filled

Compliance Monitoring

• Ongoing tracking of 5-year eligibility rule
• Confirmed:
• A recently questioned vendor is still within eligibility period, but nearing limit

Business Analyst Report – John Ahler
The discussion focused on mid-year financial performance, cost trends, and emerging operational considerations—particularly around micro markets and smart coolers.

• Strong Revenue Growth:
  Gross sales reached $13.4M, reflecting a 6.24% increase over the prior year period. This indicates continued program growth and steady demand.
• Rising Costs Impact Margins:
• Merchandise purchases increased 6.42%, keeping pace with sales growth.
• Payroll expenses rose significantly (11.72%), driven in part by wage increases and minimum wage adjustments.
• Other operating expenses also increased, highlighting ongoing inflationary and operational pressures.
• Overall Profitability Still Improving:
  Despite higher expenses, operating profit increased by 3.4% (from $5.0M to $5.2M), demonstrating resilience and effective cost management overall.
• Vendor Performance Improving:
  Average projected vendor earnings increased from $98,800 to approximately $103,000, signaling positive outcomes at the vendor level.
• External Factors Affecting Revenue Segments:
  Interstate revenue experienced a slight decline, primarily due to temporary closures of high-volume locations (e.g., Ocala and Mims) and broader reductions in travel activity.
• Set-Aside Increase Explained by Prior-Year Anomaly:
  A 110% increase in set-aside reflects normalization following prior-year reductions associated with temporary policy relief measures.
• Transaction Trends Stabilizing:
  The number of transactions appears to have leveled off after previous declines, suggesting demand consistency, though average transaction values and pricing should continue to be monitored.
• Need for Improved Data on Micro Markets and Smart Coolers:
  A major theme was the lack of standardized data collection and reporting for newer retail formats, including:
• Variability in fee structures (e.g., flat monthly fees vs. percentage-based fees, plus ~5.45% processing costs).
• Limited visibility into sales performance, average transaction value, and profitability by platform.
• Inconsistent reporting practices in monthly business reports.
• Action-Oriented Recommendations:
• Develop a centralized inventory of micro market and smart cooler platforms, including fee structures.
• Enhance reporting by adding a dedicated revenue category for micro markets/smart coolers.
• Assign responsibility (e.g., technology committee or reactivated subcommittee) to analyze performance data and establish benchmarks.
• Improve vendor guidance on how to report and track sales accurately.

• Direct deposit was strongly encouraged to all vendors.

Training Report – Mary Ellen Harding
Recent Graduating Class

• 4 participants completed the program.
• 3 are now licensed and active.
• 1 participant voluntarily withdrew before completion.

Current Training Class

• 3 participants currently enrolled.
• Expected completion date: July 20.

Upcoming Training (August 3 Class)

• 1 confirmed candidate.
• Approximately 3 additional candidates are in various stages of the application process.
• Final enrollment still pending based on candidate readiness.

Overall Status

• Strong recent completion with mostly successful licensing outcomes.
• Current pipeline shows modest but active recruitment efforts.
• Near-term class size (August) is still uncertain but may increase.

Marketing & Development Report – Greg Coon
The June 2026 Marketing Update reflects a strong and productive fiscal year (FY25–26) across surveys, installations, and pipeline development, with continued expansion in both public-sector partnerships and existing contracts.
Survey Activity & Business Development

• A total of 33 site surveys were completed through May 2026, with March being the peak month.
• Opportunities spanned federal, state, and local agencies, with the largest share at the state and county/city level.
• Several state park opportunities were secured (e.g., Lake Griffin, Camp Helen, Florida Caverns, Lovers Key), despite some declines.
• Growth continues through expansions with existing clients (PalmTran, Broward Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach County Parks, etc.).
• New opportunities are emerging, including a pending agreement with Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and discussions with Leon County.
• Two major projects—Veterans Benefit Administration cafeteria (St. Petersburg) and DHS Krome micro-market—have been approved and are advancing into contracts.
• Ongoing negotiations include renewal of Broward Sheriff’s Office cafeteria services, reflecting regained client interest.

Solicitations Strategy

• The team evaluated 12 solicitations this fiscal year but submitted proposals for only 3, demonstrating a selective, strategic pursuit approach.
• Recent solicitations (FDOT, City of Doral, St. Lucie County Schools) were reviewed but not pursued, indicating disciplined bid decisions.

Installations & Operations

• A total of 130 vending installations were completed, including beverage, snack, and specialty equipment.
• Key enhancements include 1 new facility and conversion of an existing vending location into a micro-market.
• While additional installations are unlikely before fiscal year end, overall performance remains strong and ahead of expectations.

Forward Pipeline (FY26–27)

• A healthy pipeline is already established, including:
• New projects with PalmTran, Palm Beach County Parks, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Emergency Operations Center
• Major installations tied to VBA St. Petersburg and DHS Krome
• Expansion into state parks and federal sites such as Bay Pines VA Hospital and Naval Support Activity Panama City
• Additional future opportunities include USPS locations, FDLE headquarters (Fort Myers), and a federal courthouse (Fort Lauderdale).

Overall Assessment
The organization demonstrated strong operational performance and strategic growth, balancing successful contract wins, selective bidding, and significant installation output. With multiple approved projects, contract negotiations underway, and a robust FY26–27 pipeline, the outlook remains positive with sustained expansion expected.

Motion: made by Bekric to create a Marketing Workgroup. Second by Warth.
Workgroup created by unanimous consent. Workgroup consists of: Warth, Chair; Martin; Gonzalez; McCormick; Coon.

Technology workgroup formed by Bekric: Knight (Chair), Martin, Ponchak, McCormick, Hubbard, Ahler, Harding.

Motion: Ahmed made a motion to conduct a pilot trial with the USI machine at the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Second Martin.
Pilot trial approved by unanimous consent.

Motion: By Ponchak to recommend Valerie James, Jeff Estebo, and David Alvarez for a pilot program with Aha coolers. Second Brinton. Pilot trial approved by unanimous consent.

Adjournment
Meeting adjourned following completion of business and planning sessions.