2023 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 185
BY SENATOR BARROW
A RESOLUTION
To commend Calvin Mills Jr. on his myriad accomplishments as a proliferant serial tech
entrepreneur.
WHEREAS, Calvin Mills Jr., a native New Orleanian, growing up in the Third Ward,
is the son of a widowed school teacher who made huge sacrifices, but was steadfast to ensure
her son would not be affected by the limitations of a destitute neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mills, perpetually bolstered by unwavering support from his mother
and dedicated mentors, fostered an unwavering resolve, developed skills in soccer, golf,
football, the saxophone, and became a member of the esteemed Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Inc.; and
WHEREAS, as a full-back for the esteemed Southern University Jaguars, he
achieved an unparalleled record of twenty-five victories and zero defeats, winning two
National Black College Football Championships, and three consecutive titles in the Southern
Athletic Conference, solidifying his status as a five-time champion; and
WHEREAS, while Mr. Mills showcased his skills as an All-Star college full-back,
he completed his undergraduate education, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Computer
Science and Business from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana;
and
WHEREAS, at the helm of CMC Technology Solutions (CMC), founded in 2001 as
an IT consulting firm based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mr. Mills serves as the visionary
Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer, spearheading a fully-certified and rapidly
growing enterprise that provides dependable and comprehensive next-generation technology
solutions with precision; and
WHEREAS, since its establishment in 2001, CMC has experienced significant
growth after successfully fulfilling a contract request from the Louisiana Legislative Black
Caucus to develop call center software to track Hurricane Katrina evacuees, subsequently
Page 1 of 4 SR NO. 185 ENROLLED
followed by a federal contract worth over three hundred thousand dollars to deliver computer
equipment and services to the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and
WHEREAS, the exceptional service provided by the CMC team in delivering
hurricane relief services after Katrina and Rita led to state and national recognition,
distinctions, awards, and subsequent contracts with the United States Department of
Homeland Security, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Louisiana Economic
Development (LED), Louisiana Small Business Development Center, and Southern
University A&M College, firmly establishing CMC as a preeminent IT consulting company;
and
WHEREAS, CMC has earned numerous prestigious awards, including the U.S.
Department of Homeland Security Small Business Achievement Award for Outstanding
Performance in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Governor's Official
Statement of Recognition, the SBA and LED Champion of the Year for entrepreneurial
excellence, SBA's Client of the Year as the Top-Ranking National Small Business Incubator,
the National Small Business Association Lewis A. Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the
Year for going above and beyond in advocating for the small business community,
Outstanding Alumnus by the State Board of Supervisors of the Southern University A&M
College System, and being listed consecutively for three years in the Madison Who's Who
of Top Executives; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Mills is recognized for his pioneering approach in the field of
information technology, and continues to astound the industry by achieving remarkable
milestones, including the prestigious U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from
the Honorable United States President Joe Biden, honored as the Louisiana Honoree for
Exemplary Work by the Urban League of Louisiana, gained recognition as Louisiana's
Business and Technology Center Client of the Year, named a New Orleans Top Tech 30
Honoree, and certifications as both a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and a Minority
Business Enterprise; and
WHEREAS, in addition to being named as the Capitol Region's 100 Most Influential
Black Men by the Black Chamber of Commerce, and having served for eight years as the
mayor's designee for the City of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and as board chairman for three
Page 2 of 4 SR NO. 185 ENROLLED
years on the Nexus Louisiana Board of Directors (NexusLA), Mr. Mills voluntarily
relinquished his position, only to step into the role of interim President and CEO within the
organization; and
WHEREAS, upon achieving the distinction as the youngest recipient of the
Presidential Volunteer Service Achievement Award in Louisiana, Mr. Mills maximized this
honor to propel the NexusLA community into a prominent business incubator, dedicated to
accelerating the growth of technology-based companies, by providing crucial resources
including coaching, capital, and valuable networking opportunities, while fostering an
environment of innovation and collaboration; and
WHEREAS, under the agile, adaptive, and pioneering leadership of Mr. Mills, SLT
Technology, Inc. was established with a collaborative and highly-skilled tech team which
includes Chief Executive Officer, Michael Spotsville, an expert in information management
and IT workforce development; Chief Financial Officer, Garland Tillman, a skilled property
manager and coding professional; and Chief Operations Officer and Vice President of
Research and Strategy, D. Johann Hebert, a mechanical engineer, U.S. diplomat expert in
counter-measures and network compliance elite; and
WHEREAS, driven by his fervent resolve to empower the upcoming generation of
entrepreneurs, Mr. Mills established "CLIMB" (Changing Lives Is My Business), a nonprofit
organization dedicated to providing impecunious families with technology resources through
the construction of desktop computers, thereby establishing the groundwork for Calvin Cares
Weekend, an annual tradition which brings over fifteen hundred disadvantaged children to
an unforgettable experience by attending the Bayou Classic, encompassing fun, football, and
being a supportive fan to the Southern University Jaguars and Grambling State University
Tigers; and
WHEREAS, drawing on his accomplishments as a renowned speaker and recipient
of numerous leadership awards, Mr. Mills channeled his eloquence into authoring inspiring
books, including No Secrets to Elevation: The Great Idea Journal, a practical resource that
offers valuable tips for striving entrepreneurs to maintain focus and motivation, and No
Secrets to Elevation: An Entrepreneur's Story of Persistence, a captivating chronicle of his
remarkable journey from a challenging upbringing in a disadvantaged, crime-ridden
Page 3 of 4 SR NO. 185 ENROLLED
neighborhood to becoming a fearless and determined individual driven by the pursuit of
success and service; and
WHEREAS, Calvin Mills Jr., an award-winning speaker, published author, among
the top fifty business leaders invited to the White House Business Summit, and recognized
as one of Black Enterprise Magazine's 100 Modern Men, embodies a give-back and
grow-the-community philosophy, encouraging the indigent to embrace challenges as
motivation to remain determined and steadfast, and always striving for greater success in
both the public and private sectors, all of which propelled him to become a renowned serial
tech entrepreneur.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby commend Calvin Mills Jr. for his numerous achievements as a prolific serial
tech entrepreneur and highly influential figure in the realm of high-tech innovations, owning
the sole company supported by the globally recognized Oracle Corporation, while effectively
merging his dedication to community development with people-centered approaches, all
driven by his unwavering focus on faith.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Mr. Calvin Mills Jr.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 4 of 4