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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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. PrintabiliTees
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 6th 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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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.
This Saturday we will have Jay Wesley of the Metropolitan District Commission and Ted Hsu from Horizon Services as our guest speakers. They will talk about how to access opportunities and what it takes to be successful with companies like MDC. We meet every Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 am. There is no cost to attend.
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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: The Walt Disney Company/ESPN
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Who We Are
We believe that including diverse suppliers in our sourcing process provides us the greatest opportunity to develop the most innovative, highest quality, and most cost-effective business solutions. Through direct experience, we know this strengthens our company on the inside and supports communities on the outside. We strive to ensure that our business leaders have a broad understanding of the business case for working with diverse suppliers and the competitive advantage that a robust Supplier Diversity process provides the company. We invite you to be part of the magic!
What We Do
We support The Walt Disney Company's diversity strategy by developing and leading a world-class Supplier Diversity process that:
* articulates the value of a robust supplier diversity process
* enables diverse suppliers to compete for sourcing opportunities
* facilitates a healthy, fact-based dialogue between Disney and external interest groups
How We Do It
Identification - We identify minority- and woman-owned businesses for Disney professionals that are capable of meeting our business requirements.
Qualification - We determine relevant MWBE business criteria such as competencies, geographical scope, and capacity.
Due Diligence - We validate MWBE status through certification compliance. We use WBENC and NMSDC to verify certification. Outreach - We actively seek diverse suppliers through participation in national, regional and local minority-and women-owned business development organizations, advocacy groups and trade shows. |
| MBE of the Week: SIgma Systems, Inc |
Sigma Systems, Inc., a boutique, Professional Staffing & Consulting Firm located in Marlboro, MA with 20 + years of experience delivering targeted, candidate matches across the U.S for Contract, contract-to-hire & Permanent Placement.
Our History: Sigma was originally established to improve the overall quality of the Technical Staffing & Consulting industry. Sigma quickly established a reputation as a reliable & extremely efficient technical, Staffing resource.
Current Status: Sigma is recognized as a leader in the boutique, Staffing industry providing advanced, Candidate Screening methodologies,operating in over 32 different states with multiple sites and delivering a wide portfolio of Staffing services.
Our Services: Technology Staffing, Information Technology, Software Development & a wide range of Technology Solutions
Our Clients: Healthcare, Insurance, Higher Learning, Biotech & Life Sciences, Financial Services, Government Workforce Solutions
For more about Sigma Systems click here to view there website or call (508)357-6300
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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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| 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 |
| MassMutual Brings Three Experts in Diversity Onboard to Better Serve Multicultural Marketplace |
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced that three new professionals are playing major roles in the Diversity & Inclusion and Multicultural Market Development, furthering the company's growing leadership presence in that field.
Learn more about this initiative here.
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| 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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| Tuck School of Business - Minority Business Program |
 Building a High-Performing Minority Business, which is held at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth from May 18-23, 2014, provides an opportunity to evaluate your organization's health and diagnose its strengths and areas for improvement. Over the course of this intensive five-day program, you will develop the skills needed to help your business thrive. The week covers business strategy, finance, marketing strategy, operations, and leadership. By participating in Building a High-Performing Minority Business, you will increase your chances of long-term success and greater profitability. Visit our program pages to read a few success stories and learn more about the program. Watch a video of Faculty Director Len Greenhalgh sharing why it's worth your valuable time to attend this program. For even more information, I invite you to review the program brochure. (See website address below.)The Tuck School was the first U.S. institution of higher education to offer executive programs dedicated to advancing the capabilities of underserved entrepreneurs and executives. Since setting the standard in 1980, Tuck continuously has honed its program, expanding and refining what is covered to create the maximum impact on your business. Tuck is a place rich in opportunities for personal, as well as professional, growth, thanks to its people, facilities, and setting in beautiful northern New England. It is a learning environment rooted in collaboration, respect, and intellectual stimulation. It is a school where interaction with faculty and peers, both inside and outside the classroom, creates relationships that last a lifetime.
You may confirm your attendance by completing the online application form found on our website. (Once we receive your application, the admissions committee will review it and then send you an email regarding your acceptance. From there, our program coordination team will contact you with all pertinent program information.) For questions about the program, its curriculum, or the application process, please contact Michelle Loveys Dozier at tuck.diversity.programs@tuck.dartmouth.edu or 603.646.9287
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| MBDA Client Develops Corporate HR Tool |
One of the Boston MBDA Business Center's clients, VoiceGlance, has developed a powerful tool that brings the hiring process into the 21st Century. A recent offshoot of Mystic, CT'sMResult, http://www.mresult.com/Home/default.aspx
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VoiceGlance is a cloud-based candidate screening platform used by forward thinking employers to streamline the early stages of their hiring process. Ultimately helping Hiring Managers gain better insight and spend more time with the right candidates. The end result is significantly lower costs and more comprehensive coverage of candidates. For more information, contact Bill Palifka,bpalifka@voiceglance.com." |
| Article in the New London Day on the client and the technology. |
| 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 |
Last week I made the case for why MBEs should attend the Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 6 at the Aqua Turf. Today, I make the case of why corporate members should attend. And it really is as simple as the advice your mother gave you when you were growing up; and that is - "you are judged by the company you keep". ( I usually got this advice after being in the wrong company at the wrong time, but that is another story.)
The GNEMSDC gala is the premier minority supplier development event in New England. It is a congregation of outstanding corporations who have many professionals dedicated to increasing opportunities for high quality competitive certified MBEs. Not every corporate member is where they want to be in terms of their supplier diversity program, however, every corporation in our network that participates in this event is demonstrating their aspiration to accomplish great things with certified MBEs. The GNEMSDC is a community as much as it is an organization. And the Gala represents the coming together of that tribe of supplier diversity professionals and corporations who share a vision of economic inclusion and minority community development through entrepreneurship. After all, at the end of the day, we are trying to spread the great wealth of our country and our companies to minority entrepreneurs. Our Gala brings us together to celebrate the best and more importantly each other in this common quest.
I heard one corporate executive recently remark about last year's Gala, that seeing the corporate attendees and the certified MBEs at the Gala had a lasting impact on her determination to be as inclusive as possible. The Gala for her connected the decisions about procurement to the people, who are these MBEs. There are few opportunities on your calendar that will inspire and provide the practical connections you and your organization need to be successful in the diverse business space.
This community of corporations welcomes all corporations regardless of the current state of their supplier diversity efforts. We welcome corporations whose senior management needs to be educated and inspired about the value of supplier diversity. Corporate members and other inquiring corporations should join us on May 6 to be in this community of leaders and decision makers who are changing lives in ways that are tangible and sustainable.
Your mother was right, in fact it seems they are and were always right; you are judged by the company you keep. Come hang out with us and tell your friends. Your mother would be proud.
In your service
Dr. Fred
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