August 20, 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. 
GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting At TJX August 23
TJXTJX will be hosting the GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting on August 23, 1:30 to 4:30 PM.  

OVER 200 corporate members and MBEs have signed up for this event, making it one of our biggest Quarterly Meetings!  Thank you for respondingl

This is an excellent chance for MBEs to learn about opportunities at TJX and with other corporate members.  At this Quarterly Meeting we will also have a presentation from the Massachusetts Export Center.  Please register by emailing sjames@gnemsdc.org

We are also planning a very special session that will focus on how smaller MBEs can partner with other MBEs to successfully win larger contracts from corporate members. We have heard on numerous occasions how difficult it is for Category 1 MBEs to not only win contracts, but get the attention of large buying organizations.  The key to success for many MBEs is to partner with other firms and grow from there.  The Quarterly Meeting will explore concrete examples of how to do this successfully.
 
And to top things off, TJX, our corporate host, will have a full contingent of buyers who will conduct one-on-one sessions with MBEs to discover opportunities at TJX. 
 
To view the preliminary Agenda Click here.  Also check your email for the invitation to this event. 
 
If you are an MBE and have experienced this frustration, this is the Quarterly for you to attend.
Rodney A. Butler, Chair of Mashantucket Pequots to Receive Special Recognition at GNEMSDC Expo
Rodney Butler
The GNEMSDC is going to recognize Rodney A. Butler for his leadership and support for minority business development at the GNEMSDC Expo on Friday, September 14. 

Rodney A. Butler serves as Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council as of January 1, 2010. Mr. Butler has served on the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council since January, 2004. In January, 2005, Mr. Butler was elected Treasurer of Tribal Council. During his tenure on Tribal Council, Mr. Butler served as chairman for the Tribe's Housing and Judicial Committees, and chairman for the Finance Committee during his tenure as Tribal Council Treasurer. Raised in Montville, Connecticut, Councilor Butler graduated from Montville High School and from the University of Connecticut with a degree in finance. While at the university, he played Defensive Back for the Huskies' football team. Chairman Butler is a former financial analyst at the Tribal Nation's Foxwoods Resort Casino. He later became Chairman of the Tribal Business Advisory Board, a position he held before his election to Council. The Tribal Business Advisory Board oversees the portfolio of non-gaming assets owned by the MPTN. Mr. Butler was actively involved in the resort expansion at Foxwoods, as well as the Phase VII housing development on the Reservation, and presently is focused to ensure long-term stability for the tribal government and its enterprises.

Mr. Butler is the founding Trustee of the Mashantucket (Western) Pequot Tribe Endowment Trust. Mr. Butler is currently Co-Chair for the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut, serves on the Board of Trustees for Roger Williams University, is a Director on the Board of the Mystic Aquarium, and a Board Member for the Southeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.
David Hinson, National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce MBDA to Speak at GNEMSDC Trade Expo
David Hinson
David Hinson, National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) has agreed to participate as the keynote speaker at the GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Expo.  Director Hinson will speak at the Friday (9/14) morning session. 

 "As National Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), a bureau within the United States Department of Commerce, Mr. Hinson oversees a national network of 40 MBDA Business Centers, including centers in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico and the first of its type Federal Procurement center located in Washington DC. MBDA's core mission is to expand the U.S. economy and create new jobs by promoting the growth and global competitiveness of large, medium and small businesses that are minority-owned.

Since the start of the Obama Administration, MBDA has assisted minority-owned firms in obtaining nearly $12 billion in contracts and capital, creating and saving over 20,000 jobs. Under his leadership, MBDA has experienced the three best performing years in the 43-year history of the Agency."
Author Maggie Anderson to Speak at GNEMSDC Trade Expo
M AndersonAuthor and MBE activist, Maggie Anderson has agreed to be the keynote speaker on Friday, September 14 at the GNEMSDC Sponsors Luncheon.  Mrs. Anderson has become a national advocate for minority businesses as a result of her work on the "Empowerment Experiment".  The experiment started as a teaching lesson for her children and family, and turned into a crusade as she and her family attempted to survive by buying products only from African American owned enterprises.  Her story has been picked up by PBS, Black Enterprise, CNN, CNBC, The Huffington Post and has attracted attention globally.  Mrs. Anderson has also become a powerful advocate for corporate supplier diversity.   
Jeffrey Fox To Speak at GNEMSDC Trade Expo
 Back by popular demand, author, consultant and sales guru, Jeffrey Fox will be speaking at the 2012 GNEMSDC Trade Expo.  If you missed his presentation two years ago, you missed one of the highest rated programs we have ever hosted.  At the time, Mr. Fox had just published the book "How to Be a Fierce Competitor".   Now Mr. Fox's visit is timed perfectly for the release of his new book:  "The Transformative CEO".

Here is a quote from Arkadi Kuhlmann, CEO of ING Direct taken from "The Transformative CEO":

Our best CEOs will therefore be a rare breed of renaissance individuals; people equally comfortable with art and sceince, literature and math, Paris, Texas and Paris, France, society and business.  They are individuals who can simplify; who have experience-honed intuition, street smarts; are mentally fast, nimble and above all, the best CEOs are creative. 

Registration for the Trade Expo, September 12-14 will open July 8.
 T. Blair Decker of Electric Boat - Corporate Chair of the 
GNEMSDC Trade Expo
We are pleased to announce that T. Blair Decker, Director Material Acquisition, Material Engineering Services/Information, Document, & Configuration Management for Electric Boat/General Dynamics has agreed to serve as the 2012 GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Expo Corporate Honorary Chairman.  

Mr. Decker has worked in increasingly responsible positions at Electric Boat for over 30 years. Blair developed his skills and expertise through Electric Boat's internal Career Development Programs in the areas of Supply Chain Management, Program Management, Logistics, and Finance.
In his current position, his organizations are responsible for all aspects of the Value Stream associated with Supply Chain, Material Engineering Services and Information, Document and Configuration Management as well as service and support functions that are tied to Acquisition Management both directly and tangentially
Electric Boat has been designing and building submarines since 1900, beginning with USS Holland, the U.S. Navy's first commissioned undersea warship.

Over that time, the company has maintained its dedication to delivering the most capable submarines in the world by emphasizing technical excellence, innovation and responsiveness to customer requirements.
This emphasis enables Electric Boat to consistently develop and integrate complex systems and to deliver a long line of first-of-a-kind ships to the Navy.

While Electric Boat's primary focus is on submarines production, the company actively participates in markets adjacent to its core business, leveraging expertise and technical innovation to naval surface ship and commercial nuclear programs.
Belsarios Rosas of WEI- MBE Co-Chair of the GNEMSDC Trade Expo
MBE Co-ChairWe are very pleased to announce that Belsarios Rosas, President and CEO of WEI has agreed to serve as the MBE Co-Chair for the GNEMDC Business Opportunity Fair and Expo. 
 "Over the last 20 years business priorities have changed as often as technology has, but WEI's commitment to customer service has remained consistent throughout. Focus on the unique challenges of individual organizations has guided WEI to a leadership position in the IT community. Hundreds of collaborations with the finest small, medium, and large companies in America has created a breadth of experience that enhances WEI's ability to adapt and design custom solutions.
Partnering with industry leaders as well as smaller emerging technology companies has been a hallmark of the WEI way. Access to a wide array of available technology is the only way to design the perfect solution.
Committed, customer focused, and armed with the finest technology available...WEI and its partners stand poised and ready for another successful 20 years." 
Kevin Kelleher, President and CEO Cartus - Corporate Shining Star
Kevin K Head shotWe are very pleased to announce that Kevin Kelleher, President and CEO of Cartus has agreed to serve as the 2012 GNEMSDC Corporate Shining Star.  Kevin has been a fixture with the GNEMSDC and we want to recognize his support and leadership.

"Cartus is the industry leader in global mobility and workforce development support to organizations worldwide. Our global client base includes corporate, government and membership organizations of all sizes and types. Our broad base of services supports both managers and transferring employees with cost-effective, customized services. 

Why Cartus?
 With 2,800 Cartus employees, 700 of whom are based outside the U.S., and strategic service centers worldwide, our clients trust us to assist over 140,000 transferees, expatriate assignees, and members each year across the 160 countries in which we provide services. We bring to the table over half a century of demonstrated solutions in consulting, intercultural training, outsourcing, and mobility management." 
Marianne Lancaster, President of Lancaster Packaging - MBE Shining Star

We are pleased to announce that Marianne Lancaster of Lancaster Packaging will be our MBE Shining Star.  Ms. Lancaster was a leading voice for the merger between the NEMSDC and the CMSDC.  We appreciate her leadership and support and look forward to presenting her the 2012 Shining Star on Thursday, September 13 at Foxwoods. 

Lancaster Packaging, Inc. (LPI) is a distributor of high quality packaging materials such as foam products, flexible materials and corrugated products. At LPI, we work with our clients Lancaster to develop programs that allow them to utilize our services and expertise in purchasing, inventory management, and warehousing.
Think of Lancaster Packaging as an extension of your Purchasing Department.
Lancaster Packaging, Inc.'s mission is to exceed our customer's expectations by delivering creative, cost effective packaging and janitorial supply management solutions.

With this in mind, Lancaster Packaging Inc. has developed the following goals:
  • To develop, maintain and value relationships with suppliers, clients and employees;
  • To provide service above and beyond what is expected in the industry;
  • To provide pricing and products consistent with client needs;
  • To carry quality products able to meet the rigid tests and requirements specified by both corporate and governmental engineering.
Chris Genteel of Google to Present to MBEs at Trade Expo
Chris Genteel of Google will be presenting to the MBE Training Session on Wednesday, September 12 in the afternoon.  His presentation will cover some of the latest business technology designed for small businesses.  Google will also be participating in the one-on-one sessions on Thursday.  

Chris Genteel leads Google's efforts to make its products useful and accessible to diverse businesses and their communities. His team works with customers and partners to support the ecosystem of underrepresented US businesses using online tools for business success. Chris was Online Sales Manager for Google AdWords where his customers were a range of mid-sized to Fortune 500 B2B businesses looking to the web for aggressive growth and customer acquisition online. In 2011 Chris received the President's Award from the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council for his dedication to advancing minority business development.

 Chris' early career was in nonprofit management, first as New Haven Symphony Orchestra's Operations Manager, then at EmcArts Consulting in New York where he managed planning and evaluation projects for arts and education organizations and their funders. There he helped bring web-based tools for knowledge-sharing to his clients and the industry.

 Chris holds an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan where he received the MBA Innovation Award and the Cause-Based Entrepreneurial Leadership Award for founding Arts Enterprise. He received his BA from Yale University, where he also managed and toured the globe with the Yale Whiffenpoofs singing ensemble.

 Chris flexes his right-brain by writing, recording and performing his brand of rock/soul/hiphop music at home in Ann Arbor and in his hometown of New York City. His next music project may be a kids songs album-he and his wife Dara just welcome baby Chiara to the world in December.
GNEMSDC Trade Expo News - Booths are SOLD OUT!
ExpoWe are very happy to report that the GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Fair and Expo booths are sold out.  And, the program book has sold all of the ad space available. However, if you would like to purchase an electronic ad that we can show during the program, please contact the office.  We are expecting over 1,500 attendees, so sign up today!

Corporate and MBE annual sponsors should not register from the on-line site.  Annual corporate and MBE sponsors should contact Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org with the name of their attendees.

If you are an exhibitor or are just walking the show floor, there are some things you can be doing today to make the most of your investment of time and resources.  One thing we recommend is for MBE exhibitors to send an invitation to current and prospective customers inviting them to visit your booth.  You might even consider writing a press release.  We have had great results with using on-line press release services that target your message by industry and region.  We would be happy to help you with this and other pre-Expo marketing.   For instance, is your brochure up-to-date?  Do your business cards reflect the right information? Have you registered your company with the companies you intend on meeting?  Do you have any new products or services that you are prepared to demonstrate?  Have you looked at your trade show booth since you last used it? 

Please contact Jerilynn Clarke at jclarke@gnemsdc.org to sign up for the one-on-one meetings. Both corporate members and MBEs must be registered to participate.  On-line registration is now open. Corporate members are encouraged to ask some of their prime contractors to also register for this event. This will help them, help you and help some MBEs and the Council at the same time.   For more information click here.
Upcoming Events
There are several events coming up on our calendar that are designed specifically for MBEs to learn about corporate opportunities.  In order to help you organize your own calendars and keep things straight, we have begun sending out invitations using Constant Contact.  This way we can include directions, agendas, share with you who else is attending, and allow you to register.  If it seems like we are busy, it is because we are.  As I like to tell people, business is a contact sport.  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  
    • August 23 - GNEMSDC Quarterly Meeting at TJX in Framingham, MA from 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm.
    • August 23 -  5th Annual Northeast Supply Chain Management Summit 8:00 am to 4:00 pm at Bryant University, Smithfield, RI. This event is organized by Banneker Industries, a certified MBE and attracts corporate supply chain professionals from around the region.
    • August 31- MBDA CEO Roundtable - At Raytheon 8:00 am to 11:30 am.  Come and meet other MBE CEOs and learn about opportunities at Raytheon from the Raytheon procurement team.
    • September 12-14 - GNEMSDC Business Opportunity Expo and Conference at MGM Grand at Foxwoods.
    • September 17-18 - PA-DE-NJ MSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Conference - Caesars Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, NJ  - I will be a keynote speaker at this event on September 17.  For more information visit  affiliate.nmsdc.org/panjde/app/template/index.vm.  
    • September 29 - Joslin Latino Diabetes Initiative Inaugural Benefit Concert and Reception.  Click Here for More Information.  The GNEMSDC is proud to support improving the health of all residents in Boston.
    • October 28-31 - NMSDC Conference and Business Opportunity Fair - Denver, CO.  For more information visit www.nmsdc.org.  
    •  November 15 - Supplier Diversity Best Practices  Day at Fenway Park, Boston, 8:00 am to 11:30 am.  Join us for this joint meeting of MBEs and corporate members to demonstrate case studies of the best practices of minority supplier development in New England.  There is limited space for this meeting.  Contact Joanne Wang to register at jwang@bostonmbdacenter.com.
NMSDC Success Story -   JP Morgan Chase and Collabora
JPJPMorgan Chase partners with suppliers that deliver exceptional value to its internal  and external clients. The company relies on its supplier diversity team to source from among the best entrepreneurial ventures in the country.
collabera
 As a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries, the role of technology cannot be underestimated. "We believe that our success rests on our ability to identify and implement technological solutions that anticipate client needs while providing employees with the tools that make JPMorgan Chase a premier place to work," says Guy Chiarello, the chief information officer at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The commitment to supplier diversity spans the entire breadth of JPMorgan Chase's spending on goods and services. The company's investment in this initiative is evidenced by long-term relationships built with suppliers from diverse backgrounds. One such partnership is with Collabera, a New Jersey-based global IT services firm with operations in the U.S., India and Europe.

An NMSDC-certified minority business, Collabera earned a coveted spot on the financial firm's IT Staff Augmentation preferred supplier list during the JPMorgan and Chase merger in 2001-the only non-incumbent to do so. Since then, Collabera has immersed itself throughout the company, delivering critical services across a host of complex engagements and expanded services, including onshore and offshore application

development. Jacqueline Rosa, head of corporate supplier diversity for JPMorgan Chase, called Collabera an example of how the supplier diversity team adds value by locating diverse businesses capable of delivering outstanding performance - globally.

This story was one of the many success stories featured in the 40th Anniversary NMSDC Awards Gala booklet.   All of the stories can also be found at www.nmsdc.org.
GNEMSDC Welcomes Mas-TV as Newly Certified MBE 
MAS TVLast week I mad a mistake of putting in the wrong link to this story.  
I apologize to Mas TV.   Here is the correct information: 
  
The GNEMSDC proudly welcomes Mas-TV as a newly certitied MBE. 
MBEs Are Looking to Buy Corporate Assets and Business Units
expo 2The next phase of minority business development will be characterized by minority entrepreneurs buying business units or whole businesses that were once owned by non-minority owners or were publicly traded businesses.  We want to encourage all of our corporate members to consider the GNEMSDC as source of willing and capable entrepreneurs who are interested in taking over divisions, business units, product lines or facilities.  If your company is considering such strategic moves, we want to be in the mix.

We will keep all inquiries confidential.  You should contact me directly at fmckinney@gnemsdc.org.  
Bridgeport Housing Authority Opportunitoes
BP
The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport Invitation for Bid (IFB) Full - Service Elevator Maintenance and Repair 
Solicitation Number: 028-CM-12-S  Solicitation Date: August 12, 2012
 The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (BHA) is soliciting bids from qualified elevator companies to provide full-service elevator maintenance and repair Authority-wide.  There is a mix of elevator types and locations.  There will be a Pre-Bid Conference with site visits to follow on August 21, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605. 
 
Bids are due by 10 a.m. on September 3, 2012 at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605.  Late bids will not be accepted.  A complete solicitation document, including required forms will be available after 1 p.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the office of the Purchasing Department at 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605 attn: Caroline Sanchez (203) 337-8820.
 
A/E Design Services
 Solicitation Number:  031-PD-12-S Solicitation Date:  August 17, 2012

The Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport (HACB) is seeking proposals from qualified design firms to produce conceptual presentation drawings for a new mixed-income development to replace Marina Village Apartments, a public housing complex.

A non-mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, August 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m., in the Gary Crooks Building Conference Room located at 301 Bostwick Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605. This will be followed by site tour.  Proposals are due by 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 14, 2012 and are to be mailed or hand-delivered to 150 Highland Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604, Attn: Eugene Sumter, Chief Procurement Officer.

A complete solicitation document, including required forms will be available after 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the office of the Purchasing Department at 301 Bostwick Ave, Bridgeport, CT 06605.  The Housing Authority reserves the right to waive any minor informality in the solicitation process and to reject any or all proposals.
Construction Opportunity at University of Connecticut Health Center
UCHC
Bid Opportunity:

Please find attached invitation to bid for UCHC Ambulatory Care Center, Farmington, CT.  This project has SBE / MBE / WBE goals.  SBEs / MBEs / WBEs ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE!  (State of Connecticut certification is required).  If you are interested in bid opportunities on this project, please complete the attached paperwork and email back to Angelo Trapani (sbdevelopment@walshgroup.com) or fax to 312-429-0651.  Feel free to contact me (Angelo Trapani) if you have any questions.

Description:
 Scope includes construction of new core & shell, site-work, and parking garage for UCHC Ambulatory Care Center (ACC).  New core and shell building will be approximately 300,000 Gross Square Feet.  Project also includes a new parking structure of approximately 1,200 cars.

Only interested construction industry specialty trade subcontractors and vendors need respond. 
GNEMSDC MBE Scholarship Available  
GNEMSDCWe are very pleased to announce that this year, the GNEMSDC will be making at least 4 full scholarships to MBEs to attend the Tuck School of Business.  Our goal is to support every locally certified MBE who has been certified for at least three consecutive years a full scholarship to executive training.  Below is a list of the MBEs we have supported recently to attend the Tuck program:
 

2012 - Building a High-Performing Minority Business (1st level program)
Sanjay Tikku, Distributed Technology Associates
Valerie A. Cooper, Picture That, LLC
Elijah El-Hajj-Bey, Reliable Mechanical Contractor's llc
Mark Jacobs, Sir Speedy Printing
Raghu Nandan, Soltrix Technology Solutions, Inc.

2012 - Growing the Minority Business to Scale (advanced program)
Arvin Chaudhary, Nadicent Technologies LLC

2011 - Building a High-Performing Minority Business (1st level program)
Thaddeus Stewart, Integrated Design and Construction, LLC

2010 - Building a High-Performing Minority Business (1st level program)
Carlos Sanchez-Fuentes, Axiom Actuarial Consulting, LLC
Magda Ferrer, GEM's Carpentry LLC
Taisha Crayton, Premium Property Solutions
Christian Coughlin, The Green Supply Company, LLC

2010 - Growing the Minority Business to Scale (advanced program)
Brenda Oneal, Light Speed

2009 - Growing the Minority Business to Scale (advanced program)
Peter Clarke, Advanced Cleaning Concepts
Lori Johnson, commVerge Marketing
Carlton Oneal, Light Speed
Eileen Hasson, The Computer Company, Inc.

2008 - Building a High-Performing Minority Business (1st level program)
Diane Winston, Winston Strategic Partners LLC

2008 - Growing the Minority Business to Scale (advanced program)
Sandra Ruiz Desai, Desai Communications
Pilar R. Ricaurte-Bernd, The Bernd Group, Inc.

"Building a High Performing Minority Business Program" on November 11-16.   The qualifications for receiving the scholarships are that the MBEs be certified by the Council for at least 3 consecutive years and they provide a written statement of why they want to attend the programs. Scholarship Application
Did you know that the GNEMSDC and Boston MBDA Business Center has it's own Facebook page?
facebook
Did you know that the GNEMSDC and Boston MBDA Business Center has it's own Facebook page?  Please be sure to visit  and "like" the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council and the Boston MBDA Business Center.  
 
These Pages will provide you with latest Updates, Photos,  Articles and Information
And Finally...
Fred in ohio
 This past Friday (8/17) I had the honor of serving on a panel with Wes Thompson, President, Sun Life Financial, Elease Wright, Senior VP of Human Resources for Aetna, and Glynis Bryan, CFO for Insight Enterprises.  We were asked to comment on a speech given by retired Air Force Four Star General Lloyd "Fig" Newton.  General Newton also served as Executive Vice President of Pratt and Whitney.  General Newton's keynote speech was titled, "The Essentials of Leadership".  The audience was filled with corporate and public sector leaders including Dr. Jewel Mullen, CT Commissioner of the Department of Public Health, Lloyd Trotter, former President of GE Industrial Systems and now President and CEO of GenNx360, Jerry Burris, former President of the Barnes Group,  Rod Powell, President of Yankee Gas , Sandy Cloud, Chairman of the Uconn Health Center, and many others.  The room was filled with experienced and successful leaders, so you can imagine how honored I was to be asked to share my insights with this distinguished group.  One of the key themes of General Newton's remarks, and the ones I focused my comments on were the importance of leaders to embrace change, the need for organizations to change, and the inevitable personal and organizational risks of change.  

The GNEMSDC has been rapidly embracing new technology and new methods to accomplish our mission.  This has not been without pain and some confusion, some of which has been expressed directly to me by some MBEs.  There are some who feel the GNEMSDC should not compete with MBEs.  I agree we should not compete with MBEs except when it comes to matters of minority supplier diversity and development.  We are not just a certifying agency.  We  have broad and deep knowledge about corporate minority supplier development.  We have significant brand equity.  We have a track record of delivering quality services. When corporations want professional advice on this subject, and are willing to pay, the Council should throw its hat into this ring.  Supplier diversity consulting services represent a miniscule portion of business that corporations do with MBEs, but it is what we do.  When it comes to training minority entrepreneurs, this is also something we do.  When there are grants or contracts in this space, we reserve the right to go after these opportunities.  MBEs in this space have to realize, our mission is to help  the overwhelming majority of MBEs who are not in this space.  That being said,  we are prepared to partner with MBEs who are in this space in a collaborative way, as we have done in almost every occasion.  I make no apologies for trying to expand the base of support the GNEMSDC has by pursuing opportunities that are in alignment with our mission.   

As president and CEO, I have a fiduciary responsibility to see that the GNEMSDC is growing and in excellent financial health.  I have witnessed too many MBEs, regional Councils, and even some corporations go out of business for failing to diversify their revenue streams.  We are not going to let that happen on this watch.  A more positive lesson from our corporate members, and some of our most successful MBEs, is that a company needs to own the space it is in.  Examples include  Pitney Bowes owning the mailing space, Otis owning the elevator space,  Electric Boat owning the submarine space., and there are countless other examples within our own region.  MBEs should strive to do the same.  MBE executives must ask themselves the tough question of why are they not where they want to be, and then be prepared to do everything to get there.   We too must embrace changes and be prepared to achieve new levels of success.  All of the readers of this newsletter are leaders. We must lead.

In your service,

Dr. Fred
Dr Fred QR