Accelerating American Entrepreneurship

Dr. Walt Blaney is the Director of APEX Accelerators Delaware at the University of Delaware. Walt joined APEX in 2018. Prior to joining APEX, Walt was owner and principal consultant/trainer of a VOSB, Contract Management Consultant (CMC). Walt spent 40 years in Federal government acquisition and contracting as a contract specialist/contracting officer in DoD and other Federal agencies. Walt retired as a Navy Supply Corps Commander after 32 years of service as a contracting and logistics officer. Walt has also worked in academia as a certified comprehensive science teacher in NJ public schools, an assistant professor at Nyack University, and a Project Officer on a TITLE II Science—Technology—Mathematics grant at Rowan University. Walt is certified CPCM, DAWIA Level III Contracting, and VA Verification Assistance Counselor.

Dr. Claude L. Cable is a Procurement Counselor for APEX Delaware at the University of Delaware. Claude joined APEX in 2022. Prior to joining APEX, Claude is an owner and principal consultant/trainer of an SDVOSB firm, Contract Management, leadership, business development, and workforce development Consultant. Claude spent 36 years in Federal government acquisition and contracting as a government purchase cardholder, procurement analyst, supply technician, and contract specialist/contracting officer in DoD and other Federal agencies. Additionally, Claude spent seven years as a procurement center representative (PCR) for the Small Business Administration, which works with contracting activities to achieve maximum socioeconomic goals and guiding small businesses on the procurement dynamics of the federal government. Claude retired from Civil Services and Active Duty. Claude has also worked in academia, educating individuals on entrepreneurship and economics

Dana Reece is the program support specialist for APEX Delaware and has been with the Delaware APEX since 2009. Prior to joining the organization, Dana worked for more than 10 years as a computer programmer and systems analyst. She specializes in the SAM (System Award Management) Government Registration and holds a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems.

Juanita Beauford, former Program Director of APEX Delaware, is a Contract Specialist working part-time.  Her time with APEX started in 2000. Prior to joining the APEX, Juanita owned and operated MDR Supply, a state and local government contracting business, for seven years, and for five years, she co-owned Medical Surgical Supply Company, also a state and local government contracting business. Juanita holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and master’s degrees in both human resources management and public administration, and earned her Master’s Certificate in Contract Management from George Washington University in Washington, DC.