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St. Croix Native Receives Public Service Award

April 24, 2008 — St. Croix native Mark Oliver was named by the advocacy group National Image, Inc. as one of six 2008 Distinguished Public Service Recipients, out of 1.8 million federal employees, for his years of work helping small Hispanic and minority-owned businesses.
National Image was founded in 1972 to address the needs of Hispanic employees in the federal government. Later, it expanded to serve the needs of Hispanics and other minorities in arenas beyond the federal government to increase its impact on employment, education and civil rights.
Oliver, who lives in Fort Washington, Md., is director of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization with the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. He oversees approximately $1.6 billion in small business opportunity contracts for the department and has approximately 60 individuals working under the auspices of the small and disadvantaged business office.
"It was an honor, truly an honor," Oliver said in a recent phone interview. "I just believe in equal opportunities for everyone. This was bestowed upon me without me even realizing I was doing something special."
On a day to day basis, Oliver basically counsels small companies who want to do business with the Department of Interior.
"I help them work on business plans, writing proposals, marketing plans, even business cards," he said. "Then they can come in, show officials "I've done my homework and I'm ready to roll." It's just very satisfying. Some people need that extra step and I try to give it to them."
Oliver spoke of the satisfaction his job gives him.
"I enjoy my job tremendously, I honestly do," he said. "There is nothing like taking a business with no knowledge of working with the federal government, sitting down and working with them, then having them come back later to thank you."
Oliver and his fellow honorees were feted by National Image at a ceremony in Las Vegas on April 16. The ceremony was a part of the National Image, Inc., 36th Annual Training Conference and Exposition.
Oliver is the son of the late Ena Marie Petrus Oliver and Roy H. Oliver. In years past, his parents had a restaurant; Oliver's Snack, on King Street in Frederiksted. He has a sister, Dr. Denise T. Bennerson of Frederiksted, and a brother Kevin A. Oliver of Shreveport, La. He graduated from St. Croix Central High in 1980.
Before his current post, Oliver held several other managerial positions within the Department of the Interior. Oliver holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland and a master's degree in public administration from Southeastern University in Washington, D.C.
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