April 23, 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. 
Annual Award Gala: Registration will close TODAY!   
April 26, 2012   
2010 gala
The GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala is this Thursday, April 26 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville 
, CT.
 
 
And I am very happy to report that we have exceeded last year's record number of seats sold.  As of yesterday we have 850 seats sold.  We are almost at capacity of 925.  So if you are interested in attending, buy your tickets today.  If you have not sent in the names of your guests, please get them to us by the close of business today.
  
Registration Information for Non-Annual Sponsors
In order to register for the GNEMSDC Awards Gala you will need to register with the GNEMSDC site: Please click for instruction "How to Register for the Awards Gala Online". 

 Special Guest - CT Governor Dannel P. Malloy malloy 
We are very pleased to announce that the Honorable Governor Dannel Patrick Malloy will be our Special Guest at the Awards Gala and will offer remarks.  Before becoming Governor of Connecticut in 2010, Governor Malloy was the Mayor of Stamford and during his tenure saw the city grow to become a regional business and economic powerhouse.  

bryant

President's Award  - Mr. Jack Bryant
This year we are very proud and honored to announce that Mr. Jack Bryant is the recipient of the President's Award.  Mr. Bryant is the President of Bryant Engineering Associates, a GNEMSDC certified MBE, from Boston, MA. Mr. Bryant is also a Tuskegee Airman, like the famous World War II unit featured in the block buster film Red Tails produced by George Lucas (Star Wars) this year.  George Lucas will is part of our program this year, making this year's program one of the most memorable in recent years.  We honor Mr. Bryant for his years of service to our country and for his business and entrepreneurial leadership.
jc
Gala MC - Jonathan Coachman
We are very pleased to announce Jonathan Coachman is a Sports TV Personality for ESPN and ESPN Radio will be joining us at the Gala this year as our MC 
 
hightsmithGala Honorary MBE Chair  - Carlton L. Highsmith 
Chairman of the Board, Connecticut Center for Arts & Technology. Carlton has led the expansion into Connecticut of McArthur Genius Award winner Bill Strickland's replication model for adult training and after school student arts programming. Known locally as the Connecticut Center for Arts & Technology (ConnCAT)


JacksonGala Honorary Corporate Chair - Jennifer Jackson 
Jennifer Jackson is CHA's President and Chief Executive Officer and is responsible for  the operation and management of the Association and its affiliated organizations.

 
Gala Entertainment - Ray Gonzalez Latin Jazz Quartet 
We are very pleased to have the Ray Gonzalez Latin Jazz Quartet as the musical entertainment for the Gala.  This award winning group recently played at Mayor Pedro Segarra's Inaugural Ball where they brought down the house.  I know you will enjoy the music and bring your dancing shoes! 

We are proud of all of the Corporate and MBEs nominees.  On behalf of the board of directors, I wish each of you the best.  And the Corporate & MBE Nominees Are...
 
If you have questions about the portal's features or are having problems, please give Tatiana a call, (203) 288-9744
 Request for Proposal and Other Opportunities
mass
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) - Request for Proposal # 5306:
Massport is accepting sealed proposals for the Purchase of a 4000 Gallon, Full Functional, Liquid Anti-Icing/DeIcing System (Bid # 5306).  This spraying system will be used for the safe and accurate application of Potassium Acetate on the airfield at Logan Airport.  Massport reserves the right to award the entire contract or portions of the contract to one or more proposers.  
Bids are due by April 27, 2012 at 1:00 PM.  For additional details (including component systems and required sub-systems), please visit www.massport.com or contact Toni-Marie Vaughn at 617-568-5052 (tvaughn@massport.com). 

bethelThe Town of Bethel, CT is looking for construction companies to engage in rehabilitation work at two properties.  The Pre-Bid Conference is April 27 at 9:00 AM at 31 Windaway Road and at 9:45 at 2 Cherry Lane.  Separate proposals are due to the Town of Bethel, Finance Office, 1 School Street, Bethel, CT 06801.

NHPAThe New Haven Parking Authority (NHPA) is looking for sealed bids for cleaning windows at the New Haven Union Station Transportation Center until 3:00 PM on May 4 at the Main Office of the NHPA, 50 Union Avenue, 2nd Floor East, New Haven, CT 06519 at which time all proposals will be opened.  Copies of bid documents can be obtained by sending a fax request to 203-946-8929. 
  Employment Opportunities 
It is very important in business to be able to balance between staying close to your core competencies and meeting the needs and demands of your customers.  For many years I have resisted the offer to take employment ads, however at the risk of opening the flood gates, I will begin accepting offers for employment at MBEs and corporate members.  Even though the economy continues to improve unemployment is too high.  If we can play any positive role in connecting people to jobs, we will do so.   We reserve the right to publish.
  • CT Lottery is recruiting for a Director of Human Resources
  • Massachusetts Treasury Jobs; Benefits Counselor, Senior Debt Analyst, Investor Relations and Program Associate
  • Massachusetts School Building Authority Jobs; Director of Construction Management, Project Manager, Director of Information Technology and Administrative Assistant
  • Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Management (PRIM) Board; Senior Investment Officer                                                                                                                                                                Summary of Treasury Job Postings  and Job details 
  • Director of Construction Management
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 New England Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Day Conference & Expo 
MBDA logo
Save the Date for the 2012 New England Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Day Conference & Expo!  June 7, 2012 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
            
MED Day is the premier event for minority enterprises and the public and private sectors. MED Day will offer the opportunity for MBEs to access information, tools and resources to grow their businesses both domestically and internationally. MBEs across a variety of industries will gather to connect with public and private sector buyers, explore avenues for business expansion, and develop thriving partnerships with firms across multiple industry sectors. Large corporations can expect to meet Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) and MBEs to achieve their federal government goals.

This conference will also introduce the new U.S. Department of Commerce's Boston Minority Business Development Center, a powerful tool for MBEs who want to grow. Attendees can expect networking, business-to-business matchmaking sessions with corporate procurement officials and capital providers and workshops.
GNEMSDC  Massachusetts Supplier  Diversity Golf Classic
golf
The GNEMSDC Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Golf Outing is coming to
Ferncroft Country Club on Monday, June 11.   This is the first golf outing in MA since the 2009 merger.  Our CT golf outing has been a tremendous success over the past few years, so much so, that there was no room to accommodate more players.  We are hoping that the reintroduction of the Golf Supplier Diversity Day to the Greater Boston Market will also be a tremendous success.  Annual Sponsors have the choice of participating in either the Massachusetts outing or the Connecticut outing July 13 or both.  

We are asking for sponsors to provide us with the names of their guests by May 15Due to the limited space, we will not be able to hold your slots if you do not send your names to the office by June 1.  One of the main attractions of this event is getting MBEs and Corporate members together.

If you are interested in a fun morning of golf, networking, food, drinks and relationship building and are not registered, we can put your name on a waiting list.  

 If you would like to donate any items for our very popular raffle, please contact the office (888-874-7114).    
                                                   
MA Supplier Golf Outing Co-Chairs: Bill Boodry of Liberty Mutual & Michael White of ACP Cleaning.
***MA Volunteer opportunity is Closed***
***Volunteer for July 13, CT is still open - Contact Coordinator*** 
Boston MBDA News
MBDA logo
MBDA is pleased to release  valuable fact sheet for your use in promoting the global economic impact of U.S. minority-owned firms.
    
Dr. Fred's Corner
Please take a close look at the information listed below.  The links will take you to detailed information.   
Congratulations Debra Goss of CT DOT
Debra Goss, the Manager, Division of Contract Compliance for the State of Connecticut will be honored along with six other outstanding women leaders at the Central Connecticut State University Women leaders and Leadership Conference.  The event will take place on May 11-12 at CCSU Alumni Hall.  For more information call 860-832-3114.  Ms. Goss is a director of the GNEMSDC. 
Congratulations Debra! 
Congratulations Carroll Communincations
CarollCongratulations to Marc Carroll of Carroll Communications on being awarded a Commonwealth of Massachusetts marketing contract that will allow them to market for all state agencies.  Mr. Carroll will be busy marketing to these Commonwealth Agencies at the MA Buys Expo in May 2nd, 2012.  Carroll Communications is a certified MBE with the GNEMSDC and has provided excellent services to the GNEMSDC this year.
And Finally...
Fred in ohio
Why should certified MBEs and corporate members attend the GNEMSDC Awards Gala?  This is the question I have been contemplating this week as we approach the Gala this Thursday.  While I think it is important to support the organization that is attempting to help you.  Your support makes it possible for the Council to offer more programs that bring MBEs and corporate buyers together. Your support also makes it possible for the Council to continue to provide the support that make our MBEs more competitive and our corporate members better able to accomplish their supplier diversity goals.  Your support makes it possible for us to recognize and encourage the type of behavior we want to see in our corporate members and in our MBEs.  Your support makes it possible for us to make six full scholarships this year for MBEs to attend Tuck and Kellogg.  Your support makes it possible for us to pursue the goal of sending every MBE who has been certified with us for three consecutive years to attend some of the finest  executive training programs in the world.   While these are excellent reasons to support the Council by attending the Gala, the best reason for MBEs to come to the Gala is simply they want to make more money.  I know of countless examples of MBEs who have made or solidified relationships at the Gala that turned into contracts.  While it was not at the Gala, I learned this week that one of our MBEs who attended our Quarterly meeting this summer won an $18 million national contract for limo services from a corporate member they met for the first time that day  You can rest assured that your MBE competitors are going to be among the over 800 attendees talking to prospects including some of your current customers.  Hey, it's business.  For our corporate members, it is important for you to be at the Gala because if you are serious about meeting the absolute best MBEs in the area, they will be at the Gala.  So for both our MBEs and corporate members, bring your business cards, and be prepared for business in the most elegant of environments.  I look forward to seeing you Thursday.  
   
In your service,
Dr. Fred
Dr Fred QR