DSBO Equity & Empowerment Council

The DSBO Equity & Empowerment Council (DEEC) is comprised of community stakeholders who help DSBO maintain a first-hand, open dialogue with the small businesses and industry associations that it serves. DEEC provides the essential link between the city and the small business community with meetings held on a bi-monthly basis.  

2025 Meeting Schedule

All meetings are from 9-11 a.m. These will be in-person event unless and only virtual if needed.

Feb. 25, 2025

April 29, 2025 

June 24, 2025

August 26, 2025 

October 28, 2025

DEEC Subcommittees

The volunteer-led subcommittees are made up of representatives of small businesses, community organizations, and prime contractors to assist DSBO in addressing the challenges and barriers faced by small businesses seeking to do business with the city. Each subcommittee is responsible for compiling three to five recommendations to the DSBO Director during the year. All recommendations will be evaluated by the DSBO Director and DEDO executive leadership. Membership is not formal, and all are welcome. If you would like to participate on any of the three DEEC subcommittees, please reach out to the subcommittee chairs.

Barriers to Doing Business Subcommittee

Focusing on identifying issues that are impacting small businesses and provide solutions to the DSBO Director. This may include cases of discrimination, payment disputes, subcontractor termination that can be escalated to DSBO’s compliance team.

Subcommittee Chairs

Lauren Grosh 
Chief Marketing Officer, Sky Blue Builders
lgrosh@skybluebuilders.com

Marvin Thomas
Chief Executive Officer, Triunity Inc.
marvin.thomas@triunityeng.com 

Strategic Development Subcommittee

Focusing on identifying areas that DSBO can support in technical assistance, including access to capital, succession planning, marketing, personnel and hiring issues, and others.

Subcommittee Chairs

Suzanne Arkle
CEO, ZANN Inc.
suzanne@zanninc.com 

Andrea Mosby
Owner, UrineFresh
urinefresh@gmail.com  

Small Business Resource Partners Subcommittee

Focusing on how DSBO can better assist community resource partners with matters related to their memberships and various small business initiatives.

Subcommittee Chair

Helga Grunerud
Principal/Owner, HelgaG Consulting
helgagconsulting@gmail.com