National Grid and CVS Caremark present:
Rhode Island Power of Connections 2014, April 11
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 April 11th, 2014 9am - 4pm,
Providence Marriott Downtown, 1 Orms Street, Providence, RI
Get ready to take your business to the next level during The Rhode Island Power of Connections 2014. This premier networking and educational summit is designed for minority women and diverse business owners to build business relationships and connect with National Grid and CVS Caremark procurement teams, as well as local agencies and organizations.
Learn:
- "How to do business" workshops with National Grid, CVS Caremark and their top prime suppliers- One-on-one "matchmaking" with National Grid buyers and prime suppliers - One-on-one "matchmaking" with CVS Caremark buyers and prime suppliers - How to become certified through CWE-WBENC, GNEMSDC, MA Supplier Diversity Office, US Small Business Administration, and the RI MBE Compliance Office - Keynotes from National Grid and CVS Caremark senior leadership - Academic enrichment opportunities and resources to grow your business - And much, much more! Register now: http://nationalgrid-cvscaremark.eventbrite.com. Deadline to register: March 28, 2014 Event is free of charge. Please see the event flyer for additional information. |
GNEMSDC 2nd Quarterly Meeting hosted by RBS Citizens - April 17
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April 17th, 2014 12:45pm - 4:30pm,
One Citizens Plaza, Providence, RI 02903
RBS Citizens will be hosting the upcoming Quarterly Meeting on April 17th. Please be sure to attend this meeting to get the latest updates on GNEMSDC and hear exciting MBE showcases.
**Please be sure to register by Thursday, April 10th. Due to security restrictions there will not be on-site registration.** To RSVP please contact Sarah James.
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Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council Opens Community Business School in Bridgeport
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The Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council opens the GNEMSDC Community Business School at its 333 State Street offices in Bridgeport. The school is designed to develop minority entrepreneurs in the area by providing them access to the tools they need to thrive. We had a great first meeting. Bill Jennings, President and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital was in attendance and stayed the entire program. Also Virgilio Lopez a senior executive at Peoples Bank was also in attendance along with Jay Wesley of the MDC (Jay is also a GNEMSDC director). We had a full house, with every seat taken. I expect business leaders from our network to drop-in every week. We will be back this coming Saturday and every Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 am.
Our plan is not to reinvent the wheel. We plan on working with other great organizations in the region that offer business development services. This Saturday we had representatives from Workshops in Business Opportunities, WIBO and SCORE. You are welcome to come join us this Saturday when we will be talking about the business plan. Read more
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Ahold USA Vendor Fair on Sept 17 & 18
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 Ahold USA will be hosting a vendor fair for W/MBE's that are not currently doing business with Ahold USA (which includes Stop & Shop, Giant/Pennsylvania, Giant/Maryland, Martin's and Peapod). The vendor fair is only for vendors that have retail product that they want to sell on our stores' shelves.The event is planned for September 17 and 18 and will be held in Carlisle, PA. Depending on the turnout, the event may be either a one-day or two-day event. At this event, prospective vendors will have face-to-face time with the buyers of the category and will be able to educate the buyers on their product line. Any interested vendor, should contact Nhgiep Dang @ nghiep.dang@ahold.com. Nghiep will ensure that the vendor receives further information on our vendor fair as it gets closer to the event. |
| GNEMSDC and SBA to Hold Session in Bridgeport, April 29 |
 The GNEMSDC is proud to be partnering with the SBA Connecticut office to host a session on how MBEs can and should apply for 8a certification on Tuesday, April 29. The 8a program is the U.S. Government's development program that has resulted in billions of dollars of contracts for MBEs, and was the launching pad for some of today's largest MBEs.Attending the meeting will be CT Director Bernard Sweeney and SBA New England Regional Administrator Seth Goodall. You will learn everything you need to know about how to become 8a certified. Most GNEMSDC corporate members report to the Federal government on their utilization of 8a firms. This is a very helpful certification to have. The meeting will take place from 10:00 AM to 12 noon at the 333 State Street GNEMSDC offices. Please reserve you seats. We are limiting this program to 25 GNEMSDC Certified MBEs who are interested in growing their business with the Federal government. click here to RSVP to Nicole Mason. |
Please Support Your Council by Attending the 2014
GNEMSDC Annual Gala: May 6
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The Award will be presented at the Black-Tie 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT on Tuesday, May 6.
You will be receiving your invitation to the Annual Awards Gala soon.
Please RSVP by April 15, 2014 tp www.boothleads.com/gnemsdc/gala2014
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| David Hinson to Receive 2014 GNEMSDC President's Award |
 We are extremely happy to announce that David Hinson as accepted the 2014 GNEMSDC Presidents Award. Mr. Hinson's last day as National Director for the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency was last week. During his tenure he oversaw a significant increase in the amount of contracts won by minority business clients of the 44 MBDA Centers across the county. We at the GNEMSDC are particularly fortunate to be a beneficiary of his leadership. In 2011, the GNEMSDC won a five-year contract to operate the Boston MBDA Business Center. And in 2013, the GNEMSDC won a four-year contract to operate the Bridgeport MBDA Business Center. Director Hinson is one of the global leaders in minority business development. He has traveled the world to promote business relationships between domestic minority businesses and minority businesses in Brazil, Africa, Australia and Europe. We are honored to have Director Hinson as the GNEMSDC 2014 President's Award recipient.The Award will be presented at the Black-Tie 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT on Tuesday, May 6. It is not too early to reserve your tickets. Call Jerilynn Clarke at203-288-9744 for ticket information. |
| 2014 Annual 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. Jonathan Coachman began his career in 19997 in Wichita, KS at KAKE-TV. He continued on to Kansas City in 1999 where he worked in the same sports department with NFL legend and Super Bowl MVP Len Dawson. In the fall of 1999 his career took an abrupt turn as Coachman took a hob as a TV personality in WWE.
He spent the next 9 years traveling the world working for Vince McMahon. In 2006 he began also doing sports again at CSTV and MSG network in New York City. In 2008 Jonathan left the road and the WWE for the friendly confines of Bristol, CT and ESPN. In His almost 4 years with the company Jonathan has done just about every sport but he has found a niche as a main host on the flagship show SportsCenter. You may have heard Coachman as you are driving around in your car on ESPN Radio.
In 2011 Jonathan joined forces with Freddie Coleman for "The Coach and Coleman Show" on ESPN Radio. Jonathan is married to Amy and has 2 beautiful kids, Kayana (3) and JJ (1).
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| 2014 GNEMSDC Nominees for MBE Awards Are In! |
On behalf of the GNEMSDC board of directors, I am proud to announce the 2014 MBE Nominees.
Category 1 (Under $1,000,000 in Annual Sales)
1. Light Speed
2. Picture That
3. Printabilities
Category 2 (Over $1,000,000 but less than $10,000,000)
1. Environmental Integrity
2. Horizon Services
3. Roxbury Technology
Category 3 (Over $10,000,000 but less than $50,000,000)
1. Essex Newbury North Contracting
2. Lancaster Packaging
3. Minute Man Trucks
5. PCNet
5. SAI Systems
Category 4 (Over $50,000,000)
1. The Matlet Group
Reciprocal (Companies Located Outside of Greater New England)
1. Deluxe Delivery Systems
2. The Berrnd Group
3. World Wide Technologies
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| 2014 GNEMSDC Award Nominees - Congratulations |
| On behalf of the GNEMSDC MBE Input Committee I am proud to list the 2014 Nominees for Corporate Awards.
Corporation of the Year - National Category
1. Aetna2. Cartus 3. Chevron 4. Comcast Cable 5. CVS Caremark 6. Dominion 7. Liberty Mutual Insurance Company 8. National Grid 9. TJX Corporation 10. United Technologies Corporation
Corporation of the Year - Local Category
1.. Pratt & Whitney2. Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center 3. Yale New Haven Health System 4. Yale University 5. The Metropolitan District Commission
Buyer of the Year
1. Ed Frey, Yale University2. Ron Swatt, Sikorsky Aircraft 3. Michael Jovovich, Yale New Haven Health Systems 4. Janice Beckner, Connecticut Lottery 5. Erik Collins, Dominion
Advocate of the Year
1. Bob Pilney, The Hartford Insurance Company2. Joyce C. Eriksen Eggers, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Inc. 3. Alton Moss, Pratt and Whitney4. Erik Collins, Dominion 5.Carla Hunter-Ramsey, National Grid 6. Al Tawrel, Northeast Utilities 7. Thomas Ray, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company 8. Joan Davidson, UTC Areospace Systems
MBE Empowerment Award
1. Eileen Hasson, The Computer Company2. Arvin Chaudhary, Nadicent Technologies, LLC Congratulations to all the nominees on jobs well done. Once again we have a very competitive field of nominees. THe MBE Input Committee will have a difficult time selecting one winner in each of these categories. All of these nominees are deserving of recognition for the great work that they do to support our mission of minority business development. It will be an exciting evening on Tuesday, May 6 when the winners are announced. |
| Photo Memories from the GNEMSDC Gala 2010-2013 | ||
The 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala is Tuesday, May 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT.
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| Google and GNEMSDC Web Marketing Program |
 The GNEMSDC and Google are proud to announce this exciting new program designed to help certified MBEs increase their effectiveness on the web.The Accelerate with Google Academy is a 12-week program designed to help businesses like yours start marketing online--and then be great at it. As a participant, you'll get all the tools and training you need to advertise on the web, including live help and private consultations with dedicated experts. Plus, the program is customized, so by the end you'll be ready to start meeting your business's unique goals and making the most of the web. |
Upcoming Events
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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:
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| Corporation of the Week:
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co.
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 At Takeda, our mission is to deliver extraordinary medicines to patients worldwide through our science, innovation, and passion. And, as part of our Core Values, we dedicate ourselves to our patients by hiring the best and brightest people with diverse talents and perspectives in the communities where we do business. That same commitment to diversity within our employee base is extended to our supplier base, and is an important aspect of our business.The mission of Takeda's Supplier Diversity Program is to strengthen our Supplier base in order to maximize the quality and talent available to help us conduct our business. This is accomplished by developing and maintaining partnerships with Diverse Suppliers who meet our requirements for excellence and innovation, and are competitive in their offerings. Suppliers included in the Supplier Diversity Program include small businesses, and those owned by minorities, women, veterans, service disabled veterans, lesbian-and-gay business owners, and others. The Supplier Diversity Program allows us to invest in the communities in which we live, work and serve. We see it as an opportunity to make a positive impact on our communities by actively searching for opportunities to engage Diverse Suppliers, taking the time to review Diverse Suppliers' qualifications or meet with them, or mentoring them by providing suggestions on how their offering could be improved to attract our business. If you wish to participate in Takeda's Supplier Diversity Program please contact: supplierdiversity@tpna.com, or Joyce. E. Eriksen Eggers, Associate Director, Contracts and Supplier Diversity, Takeda Pharmaceuticals International - joyce.erikseneggers@takeda.com Joyce is located in the Cambridge, MA offices and is the representative for Supplier Diversity for Takeda in the US |
| MBE of the Week: S & S Trucking, LLC dba Safety Standards |
 Clarence Snead and S & S Trucking Become Rhode Island's Latest 8(a) Certified Firm
CONGRATULATIONS to Clarence Snead Jr. of S&S Trucking LLC, Rhode Island's new 8(a) certified firm. Welcome to the U.S. Small Business Administration's 8(a) Business Development Program.
S&S Trucking LLC is a transportation company located in Cumberland, Rhode Island that provides hauling services to the New England area. The company delivers all kind of materials, concrete, asphalt, highway debris, aggregated materials, mulch, loam, gravel and sand. S & S Trucking LLC provides excellent customer service focusing on quality product handling and delivery services. Owner Clarence Snead said, "Our safety and standards are what separates S & S Trucking from all the other companies, we strive to develop good communication and working relationships, building on integrity and honesty with all customers".
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Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
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| Electrical Maintenance Services Opportunities - URI |
 United Rentals Inc. is seeking to partner with potential providers for Electrical Maintenance Services at all United Rentals' locations in both US & Canada. It is the intent of URI to secure service level agreements with such suppliers to provide electrical maintenance and related services such as periodic electrical repairs and routine maintenance of the electrical systems at URI branch locations, emergency electrical services, service ticket reporting, replacement of parts and other necessary repairs to maintain our branch Electrical Systems at maximum operational efficiency. There will be multiple agreements put into place so it is not required that suppliers service all or even a majority of the URI locations. Supplier's must adhere to URI requirements including:
* Only self-performing companies will be considered
* Valid and up-to-date electrical licensure requirement
* Proper certifications
* Liability/Workman's Compensation Insurance
* Work performance guarantees and warranties
* Bonding requirements
If interested, please contact Kevin O'Toole, Strategic Sourcing Manager at kotoole@ur.com. Supplier qualification submissions close Tuesday, April 15th, 2014.
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Opportunity In Greater Boston
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Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation and CropCircle Kitchen have teamed up to redevelop a former meat packing facility in Dorchester into the Pearl Food Production Center.
This 36,000 square-foot, single-story building will contain three types of food production spaces:
(1) a shared commercial kitchen run by CropCircle Kitchen
(2) a food truck commissary kitchen also run by CropCircle Kitchen
(3) 7 to 8 separate spaces for lease by food businesses in a mezzanine stage of growth.
Pearl is now seeking food business tenants for all three space types. Pearl will open for business in April 2014 and tenants should be able to move in and begin production in April 2014.
To learn more about the project and to start an application, visit:
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| Employment Opportunities with Mass.Gov |
 Positions with the Treasury can be found on the mass.gov website or by clicking on this link https://jobs.hrd.state.ma.us/recruit/public/3111/index.do and selecting Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General under the agency option. Currently, the Treasury has the following opening(s): Treasury Employment Summary, Communications Coordinator, and Senior Investment Officer - Public Equities |
| Health Care and Hospital Opportunities |
 If you are an MBE and have not spent some time thinking about providing goods and services to the health care and hospital industry, you are missing out on one of the largest industries in the U.S. economy. As a director of Bridgeport Hospital, part of the Yale New Haven Health System, I know that there are significant opportunities for businesses that can improve patient satisfaction, increase operational efficiency and improve financial performance. In 2010 US national health care expenditures totaled $2.6 trillion or 17.5 percent of total GDP. And while expenditure growth has slowed to about 4 percent a year, this is an industry that will continue to grow. Why are you not participating in this industry? |
Turner Construction Company Invitations for Bid
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 Project: NHPA Project #'s 13-006, 13-006A, and 13-006B -Sherman/Tyler Parking Lot
Bid Due: April 9, 2014 3:00:00 PM EST
Location: Route 34, New Haven,CONNECTICUT 06519
UCI Code(s): 001001 - Estimating
Project Description:
The New Haven Parking Authority will receive sealed bids for the Sherman-Tyler Parking Lot Project, NHPA Project #13-006, #13-006A, and #13-006B, until 3:00 PM local time on Wednesday, April 9, 2014 at the New Haven Parking Authority, Temple Street Parking Garage Office, One Temple Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, at which time all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bids received after the time set for opening will be rejected.
This project has been divided into 3 Separate Bid Packages:
#13-006: This Bid Package includes all work associated with the project with the exception of Furnishing and Installing the Fencing and Trees, which will be furnished and installed by the 2 Small Business Set-Aside Packages defined below.#13-006A: This bid package includes the Fencing as required per the contract documents. This is a Small Business Set-Aside Package. #13-006B: This bid package includes only furnishing and Installing the trees as defined per the Plant Schedule on Drawing L1.01. This is a Small Business Set-Aside Package.
Turner Construction Company CT- uses GradeBeam.com to distribute construction information and project opportunities to its subcontractors and suppliers. If you have questions, want to register for full access, need to update your company information, or prefer to be removed from the GradeBeam.com Construction Directory, please contact: Support@GradeBeam.com 866-TBS-NOW (866-482-7669) MsgID: 102695984
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| FYI |
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| The Key to Getting Massive Growth in Your Business |
 The goal of this article is to share a strategy to help business owners get massive growth in their businesses in the least amount of time. This strategy is simple and I didn't realize it was even a strategy until I reflected on my most successful business ventures. The best part is that it cost little or no money and you can start today.
Massive growth starts with expanding your thinking about your business to where your mind can never shrink back to where it once was. This change in mindset will change the growth trajectory of your business. Now let's talk about the strategy for growth in your business.
This article was written by Marv White. To view the full article click here. and to view the website here.
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| Minority Directors Wanted! |
 The GNEMSDC in collaboration with the Fairfield County Community Foundation is trying to increase opportunities for minority business leaders to serve on non-profit boards of directors in the county. Board Serve is a company working with FCCF to train potential directors. This is an excellent programand should looked at by interested MBEs.
One of the best business development tools for an MBE is to be engaged in their community with other business leaders through non-profit boards. Paying it forward works.
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Become a GNEMSDC MBE Subscriber
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| GNEMSDC provides additional services to out of network MBEs certified with the NMSDC.Below is the cost to obtain Subscription Services with the GNEMSDC.
Out of Network MBEs are MBEs certified by other affiliated councils of the NMSDC.
List of Services Provided
Contact the MBE Services Group for more information at (203)288-9744 or sent email to Jennifer Little-Greer.
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| GNEMSDC Classroom and Conference Room is Available! |
 Reserve the GNEMSDC Community Business School for your next business or training event. The contract rate is $100.00 per hour or $500.00/per day (9:00 am - 5:00 pm). |
| And Finally |
I know that you know that an important part of the job of being president and CEO of the GNEMSDC is to raise money for the organization. This role is not unlike the role the CEOs of our MBEs or corporate members have to also generate revenues, or in the words of marketing guru, Jeffrey Fox - "become a rainmaker". With our annual awards gala a little more than a month away, I can think of no better time to put on my rain gear and make the case for you to join us on May 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington. I wrote an article almost ten years ago entitled "Business is a Contact Sport". There is no greater place where you can literally get dozens if not scores of business contacts that can catapult your business to new heights than the GNEMSDC expo. We are expecting close to 800 business and political leaders to attend the program this year. We have Presidential appointee, David Hinson formerly of the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency as our Presidential Award Recipient and Keynote Speaker. We will be honoring the outstanding achievements of both MBEs and corporate leaders. However, it is not for my benefit, or the great speaker, or the award recipients, or the food and drinks, or the beautiful men and women who will be there why should attend if you are an MBE or a corporate member.w
If you are an MBE, the reason you should attend the gala is for you to become a rainmaker as well. (More on why corporate members should attend next week,) I can think of no better opportunity for an MBE to impress upon a customer or a prospect the value of doing business with their company than the opportunity the awards gala presents. This is the time for you to shine. You should develop a list of customers and prospects whom you want to impress. Think about how difficult it is to get that appointment with the key decision maker you need to see. Think about how much it cost to market your services in the hope of getting the right person to see your message. The gala gives the MBE an opportunity to invite key customers and prospects to a non-threatening social/business event that showcases the absolute best in minority business development. Psychologists, I am sure, have a concept that is appropriate for when a person attributes a great experience to others who are associated with a particular experience. This is your chance to have that experience. If you are an MBE, you should treat this as your annual opportunity to really impress your customers and prospects. For a fraction of the cost of traditional marketing, you can invite your customers and prospects to be your guest at YOUR gala.
This is a no lose situation for an MBE. Even if that prospect or customer declines your offer, you have the opportunity to impress him or her with your graciousness and hospitality. But hopefully, you will be successful in convincing that prospect or customer to join you for an evening where the best of minority business development is on display. And if you buy a table for your guests, I will make it a point to personally visit your table and also impress upon your guest how honored we are to have them there with us on his special night.
If you want to be rainmaker, this is a great opportunity to make it rain. How exciting it will be to be in a room full of MBE rainmakers! I cannot wait. Buy your tables today!
In your service
Dr. Fred
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