Who Ron is
Ron Holmes · Apple Supplier Diversity
- Senior manager on Apple’s Supplier Diversity team. At Apple since 2005.
- Background in materials management, strategic supplier deals and indirect procurement. Has also worked with Apple’s Real Estate & Development group (facilities, construction).
- He opens doors. Treat him as a guide and a possible internal advocate who can introduce Add Life to the facilities and sourcing people. He likely does not own the janitorial budget or award contracts.
- What he will weigh: supplier credibility, fit, and the right route into Apple.
- Ask early what his role covers today. These details are from 2022 and 2024 event bios.
Goal today
Leave with a named next step: who he will introduce us to, what documents they need, and by when.
Open with this
“Ron, thank you for making time. I’m Norberto with Add Life. We’re a Santa Clara facilities services company, janitorial and specialty cleaning, CIMS Green Building certified with Honors. I’d like to learn where we could fit, what your team needs to evaluate us, and the right path to be considered.”
Three points to land
- CIMS Green Building with Honors, listed by ISSA. An independent credential.
- Local and specialized: Santa Clara and the Bay Area. Janitorial, floor and stone care, controlled environments.
- Trained crews: our training academy, plus one real example of an inspection catching and fixing a problem.
Ask him
- Start with this one: “Ron, your background spans materials management, supplier deals and corporate procurement. What have you seen smaller suppliers do that earns confidence with the internal buying teams?”
- “How does your team work with facilities sourcing today?”
- “Where would Add Life fit best?”
- “Is the path direct qualification, or through an existing facilities partner?”
- “What would you need to see before introducing us?”
Listen more than you pitch. Repeat back what he says matters.
Close with this
“What would you need from us to feel comfortable introducing Add Life to the right facilities or sourcing team?”
CONFIRM: WHO · WHAT DOCUMENTS · BY WHEN
If he asks
- Union?Non-union. Ask if the site has labor requirements.
- Diverse supplier?Yes, NMSDC. Offer to send the current certificate.
- How many people?About 105 as of late October; give your current number, and speak to local crew and backup coverage.
- Cost?“We’d scope the site first, then give you a clear proposal.”
- “We already have providers.”“Are there specialty scopes or projects where another qualified provider would help?”
- “Register in the portal.”“Which category, and what happens after we register?”
- Not sure of an answer?“Let me confirm that and include it in our follow-up.” Allen takes the note.
Careful with
- “75 years” is combined team experience, not the company’s age.
- Name PG&E Diablo Canyon only if you are cleared to, and say it was a subcontract.
- Offer a small, defined first project. Do not commit to terms on this call.