Filling the role of director, small business liaison office at URS Corporation, Sam Artis has been faced with difficult challenges during a period of economic turmoil. The federal government represents the largest market for the engineering, construction and technical services company, meaning Sam had to grow the supplier diversity program through sequestration, continuing resolutions and threats of government shutdowns. Despite these conditions, the program grew each of the past five years, with subcontract awards to small businesses totaling $5.2 billion over the five-year period. In 2013, URS awarded $322.7 million to women-owned businesses, $267.4 million to small disadvantaged and minority-owned business enterprises, and $953 million to veteran-owned businesses.

Sam’s successful approach begins with encouraging internal and external stakeholders to think of supplier diversity as a taxpayer equity program. He coordinates with a network of 40 or more small business program managers who drive the program forward on a daily basis. He meets with them throughout the year and brings them together as a group once a year to review project accomplishments and lessons learned.

Favorite Quote:

“I Am Very Fortunate to Have A Job Where Both Public Law and the Angels are both on My Side.” - Sam Artis

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