February 21, 2012

The mission of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is to significantly increase business relationships between our corporate members and our certified MBEs.  We believe that minority business development is a key component of reducing poverty, unemployment, increasing wealth, and integrating American society.  You are receiving this email in order to keep you abreast of developments with the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, Supplier Diversity Issues and Minority Business Development.  If you like what you read please share internally and externally. 
  How to Do Business with PepsiCo - Deadline This Friday!
PepsiCo
The deadline for registering for this event is FRIDAY, February 24!  We are trying to get as many certified MBEs to this event as possible.  PepsiCo will have its senior leadership, its procurement leadership and their major tier one buyers in attendance.   Don't miss out on this opportunity!  If we can get thirty MBEs from Boston and Hartford registered  by this Friday, the GNEMSDC will rent a bus to take the group to the event at PepsiCo.  We might as well have fun on our way to making money!

We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with PepsiCo for the upcoming "How to Do Business with PepsiCo" session on Monday, March 26th at their facility located at 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm.

This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about PepsiCo's sourcing process and meet internal and external stakeholders as well as;
1. Encourage Prime Suppliers to work with certified MWBE's to fulfill Supplier Diversity Targets/Goals

2. Educate the MWBE's about the stake holders at PepsiCo and their prime suppliers.  In addition, a panel of current MWBE suppliers will deliver some insights into their respective journeys.

3. Include time for a Networking Session to help MWBE Develop Relationships - The event will have a 2 hour networking session in which the defined PepsiCo stakeholders and prime suppliers will be situated at designated areas to engage the MWBE's.   More information & Registration form.
Corporate Member Showcase - National Grid   
GridThis week we feature National Grid.
National Grid owns and manages the grids to which many different energy sources are connected.

In Britain we run systems that deliver gas and electricity across the entire country. In the North Eastern states of the US, we provide power directly to millions of customers. We hold a vital position at the centre of the energy system. We join everything up.

National Grid's job is to connect people to the energy they use. From the warmth and light we rely on at home, and the power which keeps our factories and offices going, to the infrastructure and technologies that are essential parts of our modern lifestyle.

That puts National Grid at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society; the creation of new sustainable energy solutions for the future - and the development of an energy system that can underpin our economic prosperity in the 21st century.   View Presentation 

Don't miss the CEO Roundtable at National Grid this Friday, February 24 at their Waltham, MA site.  If you are interested in attending call the Boston office and speak to Joanne or Sarah, 617-578-8900. 
MBE Showcase -  Unique System Skills LLC
SystemThis week we feature Unique System Skills LLC

Unique System Skills LLC is IT Services Company located in New England area. We provide highly skilled technical consultants with excellent communication skills for short-term or long-term assignments all over the United States.We also help our clients in finding system resources on permanent or contract to hire basis.

Unique System Skills has a team of experienced technical recruiters who are trained to understand requirements of hiring managers and assist them in staffing open positions with right personnel in timely manner.

20+ years of proven system/business applications experience in the area of Retails, Financial Services. Insurance and State Government oraganization makes Unique System Skills better positioned to cater your needs.  View Presentation.  
Events That MBEs Should Not Miss  
There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities.  We know how busy everyone's schedule is, but these are events often hosted by our corporate members with the expressed purpose of finding out more about you and your business with the ultimate aim, to make you a valuable supplier to their companies.  Here are some events you should consider:
  • 2012 Upcoming Events
  • February 23, 2012 - "Business Morning" Breakfast - The American Chamber of Commerce invites you to a breakfast hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (600 Atlantic Ave. New England Room, Boston, MA 02210) Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 am. Seating is limited, please RSVP by TODAY to Alba Alvarez by calling (617) 353-1114 or emailing events@hacc.com
  • February 24 - National Grid MBE CEOs only for CEO Roundtable and Doing Business with National Grid
  • February 29 - MBE Day at the Capitol at the State Capitol- Room 3012, Hartford, CT from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 
  • Next Street, Insight Series: MassDOT - An engaging 3-day workshop for M/W/SBEs to grow their horizontal construction business opportunities: Series One: March 1, 15, and 29 or Series Two: March 7, 21, and 29 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM Transportation Building * 10 Park Plaza * Boston, MA 02116
  • March 16 - How to do business with Northeast Utilities - 107 Selden Street, Berlin, CT 06037 Time: 9:00 am - noon. To RSVP for this event email jclarke@gnemsdc.org
  • March 19 - How to do business with Mass Port -  Hilton Boston Logan Airport, One Hotel Drive, Boston, MA 02128 from 1:00 pm- 5:00 pm.  To register please emailsjames@gnemsdc.com
  • The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development's 26th Annual Reservation Economic Summit (REC), February 27-March 1, 2012.  More information visitwww.ncaied.org
  • March 26 - How to do business with PepsiCo - this event will be held at their facility located at 700 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577 from 8:30 am - 1:00 pm.  Registration is required to attend and space is limited.  Please fill out the attached registration form & email it back tojclarke@gnemsdc.org.  MBEs must register by February 29, 2012.  This event is an excellent opportunity to learn about PepsiCo's sourcing process and meet internal and external stakeholders
  • March 27 - Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA - 2nd Annual Capital Summit featuring MA Commonwealth Treasurer Steve Grossman. For more details see the updated calendar below for times locations and directions. 
  • April 26 - SAVE THE DATE- GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala- Aqua Turf Country Club, 556 Mulberry Street, Plantsville, CT. This event will start at 4:00 pm with our Annual Meeting, followed by a cocktail reception starting at 5:00 pm. Dinner & the award presentations will begin at 6:30 pm. 
  • The Pitney Bowes Supplier Diversity Summit is a business networking event that increases awareness, builds business relationships, and educates stakeholders on the benefits and value of supplier diversity.  The Summit also provides the opportunity for diverse business owners to share capabilities with decision makers. May 15, 8 am to 3 pm  
MBE Capital Summit 30 sec PSA.mov
MBE Capital Summit 30 sec PSA.mov
NMSDC/GNEMSDC Information  
Please take a close look at the information listed below.  The links will take you to detailed information.   
Nominations for GNEMSDC Board of Directors
GNEMSDC
We are now entertaining nominations for directors of the GNEMSDC.  You can self nominate.  We are asking that all potential directors submit with their nomination,  information about their role and position within their company.  Every potential director must have C-Level support for their nomination in the form of a letter of support from a C-Level leader within their company.  C-Level executives are encouraged to be nominated and serve as directors of the GNEMSDC.  Corporate directors are also expected to annual sponsors of the GNEMSDC.  Corporate directors are also expected to attend at least 75 percent of the 6 board meetings each year and serve on at least one subcommittee of the board.  The GNEMSDC is a volunteer-working board. Terms of service are for at least 2 years.  If you are interested, please send all nominations to Tom Davis at tom.davis@cartus.com and copy fmckinney@gnemsdc.org.  Thank you.
MBE News - Tax Highlights For 2011 Returns by KBL LLP.
KBL
KBL, LLP is a Certified Public Accounting and Business Advisory Services firm (and a certified MBE) with a primary focus on meeting the needs of emerging businesses nationally and globally. We have a multi-disciplined practice that cultivates an environment of strategic problem solvers and business innovators, always keeping you, our client, ahead of the curve.

The most significant event affecting 2011 returns was the signing on Dec. 17. 2010, of the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010, which extended the ordinary income tax rates introduced by the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (EGTRRA) of 2001, and the capital gain tax rates introduced by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act (JGTRRA) of 2003. The Tax Relief Act also extended a large number of other expired or expiring provisions.

Many of the tax provisions enacted in EGTRRA and JGTRRA had been set to expire after 2010. The Tax Relief Act amended EGTRRA and JGTRRA to postpone the sunset of the affected provisions until after 2012 and extended many other provisions to 2011 or 2012.  Read more...
Great News!  GNEMSDC to Offer Full Scholarships for MBE Education 
GNEMSDCThe GNEMSDC is proud to announce that we will offer four (4) locally certified MBEs who have been certified for at least 3 consecutive years by the GNEMSDC with full scholarships to either Kellogg or Tuck.  This offer is for the owners only, employees who are not owners of MBE firms are not eligible for this offer.  If you are interested please contact the office immediately.  Awards will be announced at the April 26 Awards Gala.  All applicants need to have their applications in by March 9.

"Advanced Management Education Program" this year is from June 3 through 7 at the Kellogg School of Management in Evanston, IL.   The Tuck School of Business  "Building a High Performing Minority Business Program"will run from May 6 through May 11.    Tuck is located in Hanover, NH. 

Certified MBEs are encouraged to attend both of these programs.  The GNEMSDC will support 4 full scholarships and 3 half scholarships of the cost of tuition for any certified MBE wishing to attend.  Click here for the GNEMSDC Scholarship Application.  Application deadline is March 9, 2012.

Our goal is for every certified MBE to have gone through at least one of these excellent program
NMSDC News - Advanced Management Education Program
The National Minority Supplier Development Council is pleased to announce that itsAdvanced Management Education Program (AMEP) will be held June 3 -7, 2012, at the J. L. Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

Please use the attached application form to nominate your candidates for this year's class.
Please make additional copies of the form if you have more than one candidate.  Remember,
in order to attend the program, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • Company must be currently certified by one of NMSDC's affiliated councils.
  • Only the CEO/owner of the minority business is eligible to participate
  • Business should be at least three years old with sales of over $5 million for manufacturing and distribution firms and $3 million for service firms.
  • Candidate must be committed to accelerating the growth of their business.
  • Candidate must attend and participate fully in the entire program.
The four-day program cost is $5,800.00 and covers room, board and course materials needed.
In many cases the corporation or council nominating the business will cover the cost of participation
but that is not a requirement.  To access the AMEP brochure and application.

If there are any questions, please email Maggie Chaparro at amep@nmsdc.org or call 212/944-2430.
Opportunities with Corporate Members
  • Institute for a Sustainable Economy, is in need of hiring a union contractor for installation of electrical and water meters.  Please contact Crystal Johnson, Managing DirectorNISE! / National Institute for a Sustainable Economy LLC - cjohnson@usnise.com or (617) 416-4915 
  • The 2012 Petrochemical & Energy Industry Procurement Connection Forum is taking place on March 14-15 in Houston TX. The event is sponsored by BP, Chevron, Citgo, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, Marathon, Shell, GE Energy, Halliburton and Turner Industries.   Suppliers are encouraged to visit www.possiblemissions.com.  This event is targeting certified minority and women owned businesses and small businesses.  Once on the website they will need a password to register.  They can call the office for the password
  • O & G Industrial Invitation to Prequalify University of Connecticut Project #901373 
MBDA logo
Boston MBDA Business Center News
Obama Administration Shuts Down Minority Biz Dev Offices
Officials from the Commerce Department briefed members of Congress yesterday to inform them that the Obama Administration plans to close all five regional Offices of the Minority Business Development Agency.
According to members at the briefing the reason given was cost savings. The Office of Minority Business Development has a total budget of $30 million dollars. The five regional offices are located in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
The Office of Minority Business Development's mission is to promote competitiveness and provideaccess to capital and contracts to minority businesses.  In 1969 Richard Nixon established the Office of Minority Business Enterprise by executive order.  During the Carter Administration the name was changed to the Office of Minority Business Development.  Read more...
And Finally...
Fred in ohio
On Wednesday, February 29 from 9:00 AM to noon, the GNEMSDC along with several other interested groups will be gathering at the State Capitol in Hartford for MBE day at the Capitol. We plan on holding a press conference where the GNEMSDC and a coalition of groups will share with the media, the State Legislature, and the Governor's office changes that we think are important in the pursuit of increasing opportunities for minority businesses and improving economic conditions in the State's most depressed communities.   There are several major changes that we are advocating for:

1)     The Governor and the General Assembly need to put back in the budget the funding for a state-wide disparity study that was authorized in the last legislative session and signed by the Governor.  By rescinding this line item, the Governor has sent a strong message that MBE development is not as important as we know it to be. 
2)     The Governor and the Legislature should change the existing state set-aside program so that MBE goals are distinct and separate from WBE goals.  Currently, the State sets a 6.25 percent goal for MBE or WBE spend.  We recommend that until the disparity study is completed, the goal be that 50 percent of the 6.25 percent be the goal for WBEs and MBEs. 
3)     The State has a provision in its procurement policies that exempts certain municipalities from abiding by the State's set-aside program, even when the projects being funded are funded with State taxpayer dollars.  This is the "Municipal Exemption".  Over the past 10 years almost $7 billion of State financed procurement was exempt from State MBE and WBE goals.  If the state had just spent 3 percent of that amount on MBEs it would have represented over $200 million in economic activity for MBEs.  Which could have resulted in hundreds of new jobs for the most distressed communities.  We are advocating for the repeal of the Municipal Exemption. 
4)      The GNEMSDC wants the State to accept GNEMSDC certification and eventually for the State to stop certifying Minority and Women owned businesses.  The State does not have the resources to do certification in a way that guarantees that MBEs and WBEs certified are in fact legitimate MBEs and WBEs.  This failure to do certification well results in hundreds of MBEs and WBEs that are certified with the State are frauds and fronts.  The State can save taxpayer money and provide greater integrity by discontinuing its certification activities and let the GNEMSDC and WBENC handle this professionally and accurately.
5)     The State needs to aggressively prosecute fraudulent MBEs and WBEs who are taking advantage of the system.  There are hundreds of these firms and without any fear of prosecution, this fraud and abuse will continue. 

We ask that MBEs and corporate members from throughout the region come to the State Capitol onWednesday, February 29 to support us in this effort to bring fairness and economic development to a neglected community of businesses.  I firmly believe that changing the laws as suggested above will bring economic opportunity and development to the entire state of Connecticut.  Minority business development, fairness and economic opportunity are in everyone's interest. I hope to see you on the 29th!
 
In your service,
Dr. Fred
Dr Fred QR