Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council Opens Community Business School in Bridgeport
|
 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. |
National Grid and CVS Caremark present:
Rhode Island Power of Connections 2014
|
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
|
| 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. MBEs will have the opportunity to hear showcases from members of the RBS Citizens Procurement Department and RBS Citizens Primes. There will also be networking opportunities with RBS Citizens primes.
To RSVP to this event please contact Sarah James.
|
| 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. Aetna 2. 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 & Whitney 2. 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 University 2. 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 Company 2. 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. Ellen Hasson, The Computer Company 2. 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. |
| 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).
|
| 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. |
| 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.
|
Upcoming Events
|
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:
|
| Corporation of the Week: RBS Citizens Financial Group Inc. |
 In 1828, RBS Citizens Financial Group got its start as a small community bank called the High Street Bank in Providence, Rhode Island. Today, RBS Citizens Financial Group Inc. is a $126 billion commercial bank holding company. It is headquartered in Providence, R.I., and through its subsidiaries has approximately 1,300 branches, more than 3,500 ATMs and nearly 19,000 colleagues. It operates its branch network in 12 states and has non-branch retail and commercial offices in more than 30 states.We believe that the performance of our suppliers has a direct impact on the quality of our products and services. As such, we select suppliers based on quality, service and value. Working with a diverse supply base enhances our supply chain while maintaining both economical and social benefits. We know it's important that our supplier base reflects the diversity of our customer base, and represents the communities in which we live and work and trade. While upholding both the wider procurement principles, policies and codes of other national and international standards, and by embracing the philosophy of continuous improvement, we strive for a supply chain that is diverse, inclusive and reflective of the markets we serve, and which is accessible and efficient for all the suppliers we work with. If you're interested in pursuing the opportunity to become a Citizens Bank supplier, simply visit www.citizensbank.com/about-us/suppliers.aspx By completing the online supplier registration form, you will provide us with information about your organization and what you supply. This information will be held on file and may be used to assess your suitability to be considered to provide goods or services to us. |
| MBE of the Week: Tri-Con Construction Managers, LLC |
 Tri-Con Construction Managers, LLC, was established in 2002. The three principals of the business are Larry M. Stewart, William L. Haynes, and Brack G. Poitier. Tri-Con has extensive construction experience in residential and commercial houses as well as medical, ecclesiastical, scholastic and other institutional projects.
Tri-Con utilizes a web based project management system that incorporates our Critical Path Method (CPM) scheduling program, which includes RFI, Submittal, Shop Drawing and Change Order logs. This project management system gives owners and all relevant parties access to current and updated information.
Some of our clients include: The City of New Haven, Hamden Economic Development Corporation, City of Bridgeport, Yale University, St. Francis Hospital, Housing Authority of the City of New Haven and several non-profit development corporations.
Tri-Con Services are: Construction Management, General Contracting, Project Management, Owner's Representative Services, Contract Administration, Construction Management Advisor, Estimating, Value Engineering, Inspection services
Tri-Con Construction Managers, LLC is 100% minority owned, certified by Department of Administration Services (DAS), Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC) and certified as a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
Tri-Con is located in New Haven Connecticut. The company was recently featured recently in the New Haven Register for one of it's construction projects. Click here to read the article
|
| Thank You Bill Boodry |
 On behalf of the entire GNEMSDC network, I want to thank Bill Boodry of Liberty Mutual for his support of the GNEMSDC, and before that the NEMSDC. Bill retired from Liberty Mutual this week. Bill served as a member of the GNEMSDC board of directors where he was the Vice Chairman and led the GNEMSDC Certification Committee. Bill was very instrumental in the 2009 merger of the CMSDC and the NEMSDC and also played a similarly important role in the GNEMSDC's acquisition of the Initiative for a New Economy (INE). Bill was also active in NMSDC where he served on several committees. Bill served as a sourcing professional at Liberty Mutual for many years. His advice and counsel will be missed. And we wish Bill all the best as he explores new challenges and opportunities. |
| 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). |
Become a GNEMSDC MBE Subscriber
|
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
|
Opportunity In Greater Boston
|
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:
|
Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
|
|
| MBE Capital Summit |
 We had a phenomenal day at the 4th Annual GNEMSDC/MBDA Capital Summit. The panelists were engaging, concise and informative. On behalf of the GNEMSDC Board of Directors, I want to thank our host, The Bank of America and particularly Massachusetts market President, Bob Gallery and Bank of America Supplier Diversity director, Jaymie Mitchell. Below is the program book that lists all the speakers and panelists. We had over 100 attendees this year so this event continues to grow, and more importantly, the feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive. Click here for Photos |
| FYI |
|
| And Finally... |
Professor Steven Rogers of Harvard Business School gave a keynote address at the GNEMSDC Capital Summit that was chock-full of useful and actionable information. However, one thing that he said has resonated with me since the meeting at Bank of America last week. And that was his statement that MBEs had to figure out a way to get out of "Commodity Hell". Economists call commodity hell by a different name. We call it perfectly competitive markets. In these markets, consumers have great information about their options and market prices. In perfectly competitive markets, consumers also perceive the goods or services provided by the suppliers in the market as homogenous, i.e. identical. In these markets, there are very few barriers to entry. As a result of these conditions, firms in these markets can expect no more than, at best, a "normal return" on their capital. These are firms that have very little control over the prices they charge. In fact, often firms in "Commodity Hell" are told by the buyers what they will pay - take it or leave it. These are not the markets that venture capitalists, banks, or private equity are primarily interested in investing in or loaning to. However I might add, too many of our MBEs are in these types of markets.
Being in "Commodity Hell" does not however mean that you have to stay there. The ticket out of "Commodity Hell" is the development of a strategy that looks to differentiate your company from the other residents of this business backwater of low profitability and growth. Strategy is the responsibility of the entrepreneur. The entrepreneur figures out a way to get out of "Commodity Hell", or they will be resigned to reside there permanently or eventually be put out of business.
For MBEs in "Commodity Hell" GNEMSDC can help you escape, but only if you are driven to take on the challenges and risks of taking your business to a better place. The advantages of getting out of "Commodity Hell" are not only that your business will become more profitable, a key advantage is that your business will be more attractive to corporate members who are looking for unique solutions to their global sized problems. If you are ready, to have this discussion come on in for some one-on-one counseling with me and the MBDA Staff about how to get you out of "Commodity Hell". It's a lot cooler on the other side.
In your service
Dr. Fred
 |
