Minority Business Council Members

Ms. Wanda Cooper, Chairperson Ms. Wanda Cooper currently serves as managing partner and co-owner of the law firm Bullock and Cooper, P.C. She has extensive experience in the areas of corporate law, franchising, debt collection and landlord tenant. Before starting the firm, Wanda served as General Counsel for Sona International Corporation where she lead the legal department in dealing with contract negotiations, health care issues, personal injury matters and franchise law. Ms. Cooper is a native of Virginia Beach. She received her Bachelors in Political Science with a minor in Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University. She received her J.D. from Regent University School of Law. Wanda is a member of the Virginia State Bar, Virginia Beach Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She has received various honors such as Inside Business’s “Top 40 Under 40”, the Urban League’s “Silver Star” award and the distinguished honor of the Virginia Family Law Book Award.
Ms. Linda Bright, Vice-Chair CEO/Owner of “We’ll Get You There” Medical Transport Inc., a minority-owned transportation company serving the Hampton Roads area. Ms. Bright is also the CEO/Owner of Linda Bright’s Consulting Service, specializing in record reviews and program development for the private and public sector. CEO of Health Care Services of Hampton Roads, Inc. Ms. Bright has more than 25 years in Human Services as an administrator. She was instrumental in developing the Medicaid waiver program for the City of Virginia Beach and set on numerous committees with the state to amend current Medicaid waiver policy. She has received many Class Act Awards, Peer Awards and recognition of her work for identifying means for funding and recouping monies during her tenure with the City. Ms. Bright is a graduate of Norfolk State University with a B.S. in Psychology, and a Master’s of Art in Urban Affairs, Planning and Administrative Management. Ms. Bright received her second Masters of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Nova University. She currently is the President of the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia Board of Directors and a member of the Board of Directors for Virginia Case Manager’s Association. Ms. Bright is a member of COMPA (Conference of Minority Public Administrators). Member of the Board of Directors for the Community Services Board, City of Virginia Beach and Congressional Small Business Advisory Committee.
Mr. Byron D. Williams, Sr., Secretarial Officer As President and Principal Consultant of Innovative Human Resources Solutions, Inc., Byron has more than 30 years of Human Resource Management, organizational leadership and corporate training experience. He has helped a wide variety of clients meet their unique needs by providing solid, well researched and validated solutions in the areas of Human Resources Management, executive coaching and counseling, leadership development and corporate diversity. Byron’s broad scope of knowledge and expertise of leadership development, organization effectiveness, talent development, executive coaching and counseling, and team building has helped corporate entities from government contracting firms and retailers to Fortune 500 companies to improve their processes. He has held such progressive corporate positions as HR Specialist/Consultant, Career Counseling Specialist, Operations Officer, and Vice President of Administration and Human Resources. This has earned him a strong reputation as an “innovative thinker and problem solver”. Many of the skills Mr. Williams has mastered were developed and fine-tuned during his 20 year career as a senior enlisted manager in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Williams hold a BA degree in Human Resources Management from St. Leo University, an MPA degree in Administration & Management from Golden Gate University, and an MS degree in Human Resources Management from Troy University. He has also completed some coursework toward earning a Doctor of Strategic Leadership degree from Regent University and has authored several articles on leadership development, corporate mentorship, and corporate recruitment and hiring practices. Byron has a strong commitment to making Hampton Roads as diverse and effectual a community as possible for all citizens. He demonstrates this commitment by serving as a leader in his church, Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Chesapeake, VA and serving on several community boards and positions of leadership such as: Member, Chesapeake Regional Health Foundation; Past Ministry Leader, now Advisor, Men of Issachar Ministry Leader; Leadership Support Volunteer for EDMARC Hospice for Children; and Past Commissioner of Larkspur/Salem Youth Baseball League, just to name a few. Mr. Williams and his lovely wife and business partner, Marcia, have two sons TaJarnon (TJ, who is a senior Manager with Sprint PCS and resides in Apopka, FL) and Byron, Jr. (BJ, who is a Clinical Psychology doctoral candidate at Regent University).
Ms. Amma Guerrier, Financial Counselor Ms. Amma Guerrier is Vice President for Monarch Bank in Virginia Beach, VA. She builds relationships with her client by providing business and consumer banking expertise and utilizing her knowledge to help improve her clients’ financial position. She has been in banking 15 years, having worked for Wachovia and Bank of America previously in her career. Amma has a unique understanding of the business world because she also has a small business. She runs Executive Decision, a consulting company that specializes in client service levels, marketing research, audits and process improvements. This business grew out of her passion for quality service. With Executive Decision, she helps businesses improve their service levels. A graduate of Old Dominion University, Amma has a degree in communications and a minor in marketing. She serves on the boards of the Urban League of Hampton Roads, and the Old Dominion Alumni Association. She is also a member of several professional and civic organizations. Additionally, Amma is very active in the Virginia Beach community where she lives with her husband Christopher and daughter Laila. Amma was the recipient of the Human Rights Award by the Virginia Beach Human Rights Commission in February 2007. She was selected because of her work with the Police Department to foster dialogue between its citizens and the force. She was also commended because of her dedication to sharing her knowledge about credit and homeownership with the citizens of Virginia Beach. Later in 2007, Amma was named one of Inside Business’s “Top 40 Under 40”. Amma was also awarded the Urban League of Hampton Roads’ Award of Excellence in 2006. This award was given in recognition of her outstanding Board service and commitment.
Ms. Carla Bailey, MBC Member Ms. Bailey is the President and CEO of USA Backgrounds Incorporated, an 8(a), SDB, MBE, WBE company that provides background screens to employers and landlords nationwide and worldwide. US Backgrounds Incorporated is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA and for the past 6 years has provided services to governmental agencies, colleges, large and small corporations from numerous industries. Ms. Bailey is a graduate of Norfolk State University and holds a B.A. in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice. Ms. Bailey is the 2008-2009 President of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Southeastern Virginia Chapter (NAWBO SEVA). She also serves as Secretary of the Hampton Roads Chapter of Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO HR). She is passionate about connecting small businesses with large businesses who are interested in an inclusive contracting environment. Ms. Bailey organizes contracting events that puts small businesses at the table with decision makers who make purchasing decisions for major corporations and governmental agencies.
Ms. Sheila Johnson, MBC Member Sheila Johnson was appointed to the Minority Business Council (MBC) on August 9, 2011. Prior to her appointment she served in the capacity as an associate member for a number of years. Within that timeframe Ms. Johnson has served on both the Minority Awareness Committee (MAC) and the Outreach Committee where she currently holds the position of Outreach Chair. Ms. Johnson’s professional background includes over two decades business development, marketing, and public relations experience. Her ability to deliver superior, personalized client service, cultivate strong business relationships, and resolve issues in a way that propels innovation and growth has allowed her developed a strong track record in both the public and private sectors. Ms. Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Virginia State University and is presently pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Strayer University. She has worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies, and is currently president of JW Marketing Group, a Virginia Beach, Virginia based marketing firm. Ms. Johnson has served on the board of the Hampton Roads chapters of Women Transportation Seminar (WTS-HRC) and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO HR). She is an avid volunteer and in her free time supports a number of local charities. Ms. Johnson is a member of the American Marketing Association, the Public Relations Society of America, the Urban League of Hampton Roads, and Virginia State University Alumni Association.
Mr. Justo Manglicmot, MBC Member Mr. Manglicmot is a U.S. Navy/Civil Service retiree. He has an A.A. Liberal Arts, B.A. Management from St. Leo College. Mr. Manglicmot is involved in the Woodstock Lions Club, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign War and Fleet Reserve Association. He lives in Virginia Beach with his wife, Salvacion who retired from Civil Service as a registered nurse, and has three children, Alan, Joy and Mar.
Ms. Delceno Miles, MBC Member Delceno C. Miles is President/CEO of the Miles Agency, a niche marketing and public relations firm – arguably the oldest minority-owned agency in Hampton Roads. She is a Stanford University graduate, earning a full academic scholarship. Delceno’s areas of expertise are group dynamics, interpersonal relationships, promotions, public relations and special event planning. She serves on the boards of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce (regional and Virginia Beach Division), Beachevents Steering Committee, Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, Contemporary Center for the Arts, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts and has served as Neptune Festival board member. Delceno was appointed in 2002 as the first African-American and only the third woman chair of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce regional board. She was elected to the Virginia Beach School Board and served as vice-chair for two years.
Mr. Ferdinand V. Perez, MBC Member Mr. Perez is a Financial Consultant with Mass Mutual Financial Group and has been in the financial services business for over 25 years. Mr. Perez provides financial planning services to individuals, executives and closely held business owners, especially the medical practitioners. These services include comprehensive financial planning, risk management (life, disability and long term care insurance), wealth accumulation (primarily retirement planning) and distribution strategies. Though an extensive discussion process, and learning what the client’s goals and concerns are, Mr. Perez helps the client prioritize their concerns, provides strategies and helps his clients implement a plan to help reach their goals and meet their concerns. His objective is to determine how he can add value to the client’s situation, with a particular focus on tax-wise investment strategies and solutions. Ultimately, the client should have a plan and course of action that gives him or her financial confidence. Mr. Perez’s career success can be directly attributed to his ability to educate his clients, help them clarify and prioritize their financial goals, implement a plan of action and then follow up with timely and effective ongoing client services. Mr. Perez is often a guest speaker for WTKR Channel 3 and other association and employee groups on various financial topics.
Mr. Edwin Tirona, MBC Member Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Systems Integration (DSI), Mr. Tirona is responsible for the company’s daily business and financial operations in its Virginia Beach and Ashland, Virginia offices. Additionally, he oversees the Commercial and Government Divisions of DSI. Mr. Tirona holds the professional designation of Registered Communications Distribution Designer and Outside Plant Specialty (RCDD/OSP), and has more than 14 years of experience guiding DSI’s engineering team in designing data infrastructures to integrate data, voice and video communications systems. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Radford University, Radford, VA (1988), a VA DCJS Private Security Systems license and Leviton and Dukane Certifications.
Mr. John M. Williams, MBC Member Mr. John M. Williams is President and owner of his own insurance agency here in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He has been associated with the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies for the past 10 years. He has a successful agency with over 1,200 clients. He handles auto, home, life and business insurance. John has won several awards with Farmers over the past 10 years and was most recently selected as Fire Agent of the Year for 2004. His previous experience includes Claims Manager for one of the top insurance companies in America. John is the current president of the board of directors for the Kingdom Federal Credit Union. Vice President of the Williams T. Mercer Foundation, a local organization established to help graduating high school seniors with college tuition. John is also a member of several other business organizations in the Tidewater area. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Old Dominion University.

Contact Information

Sharon L. Foster - Minority Business Coordinator

Direct: (757) 385-4067 | Email: slfoster@vbgov.com | Fax: (757) 385-5601