May 5, 2014

Please Support Your Council by Attending the 2014 
GNEMSDC Annual Gala: May 6
 
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. 

Online Registration is closed  
You will be receiving your invitation to the Annual Awards Gala soon.  
Please RSVP by April 15, 2014 tp  www.boothleads.com/gnemsdc/gala2014
  Great Big Thank You goes to Our Sponsors
CompanyID/StatusSponsorship Level
Aetna, Inc.Corporate
Platinum
Ahold USACorporate
Silver
Bank of America CorporationCorporate
Gold
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Inc.Corporate
Silver
BNY MellonCorporate
Gold
Bristol-Myers SquibbCorporate
Silver
Bridgeport HospitalCorporate
Contributor
Burns & MCDonnellCorporate
Contributor
CartusCorporate
Official
Comcast - Northeast DivisionCorporate
Gold
Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA)Corporate
Contributor
Connecticut Lottery CorporationCorporate
Gold
CVS CaremarkCorporate
Silver
eastern BankCorporate
Contributor
Ernst & Young LLPCorporate
Contributor
Foxwoods/ Mashantucket Pequot Tribal NationCorporate
Official
General Dynamics- ATP, BIW, C4 Systems & Electric BoatCorporate
Gold
Hartford HealthcareCorporate
Gold
Harvard Pilgrim Health CareCorporate
Gold
Liberty Mutual InsuranceCorporate
Official
Mohegan ResortsCorporate
Gold
Northeast Utilities CompaniesCorporate
Gold
Partners HealthcareCorporate
Official
People's United BankCorporate
Contributor
PepsiCo, Inc.Corporate
Contributor
Pfizer, Inc.Corporate
Gold
Pitney Bowes Inc.Corporate
Gold
Purdue Pharma LPCorporate
Silver
Raytheon CompanyCorporate
Official
RBS Citizens Financial GroupCorporate
Silver
SanofiCorporate
Contributor
Staples, Inc.Corporate
Gold
State Street CorporationCorporate
Platinum
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International Co. Corporate
Contributor
The Boston FoundationCorporate
Official
The HartfordCorporate
Gold
The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC)Corporate
Gold
The TJX Companies, Inc.Corporate
Gold
The Walt Disney Company/ESPNCorporate
Contributor
Turner Construction CompanyCorporate
Silver
U.S. Postal ServicesCorporate
Contributor
United Rentals, Inc.Corporate
Gold
United Technologies Corporation & DivisionsCorporate
Official
Advans ITMBE
Contributor
AI Engineers, Inc.MBE
Silver
Alianza Services LLC MBE
Silver
ASA Environmental ProductsMBE
Silver
Axcess StaffingMBE
Contributor
Banneker Industries, Inc.MBE
Silver
Carroll CommunicationsMBE
Silver
commVerge MarketingMBE
Platinum
Deluxe Delivery SystemsMBE
Gold
Fortune Metal Inc. of RIMBE
Gold
GBG, The Corporate Gift SourceMBE
Gold
Horizon Services CorporationMBE
Contributor
Integrated Design & Construction, LLCMBE
Contributor
Interpreters and Translators, Inc.MBE
Silver
Jantris Marketing MBE
Gold
Light Speed, LLCMBE
Gold
Minuteman Trucks, Inc.MBE
Gold
MLK BusinessMBE
Contributor
Nadicent TechnologiesMBE
Gold
Penmar IndustriesMBE
Gold
Picture That, LLCMBE
Silver
Pinnacle Maintenance LLCMBE
Silver
Pride TechMBE
Silver
Resource Management IncMBE
Official
SAI Systems International Inc.MBE
Gold
Simon Financial Group LLCMBE
Contributor
Sir Speedy Printing of BloomfieldMBE
Contributor
Space-Craft Mfg., Inc.MBE
Contributor
The Bernd GroupMBE
Contributor
The Computer CompanyMBE
Silver
The MATLET Group LLCMBE
Official
Thompson HospitalityMBE
Official
W & R, LLC/RCIMBE
Contributor

2014 GNEMSDC Gala  Corporate Co-Chairs
Corporate Co-Chairs Ray Peloso of RBS Citizens and Ellen Angley of Northeast Utilitieshave been great supporters of the Gala and we are looking forward to seeing them on the dais on Tuesday.  On behalf of the GNEMSDC board, we thank them.
MBE Honorary Gala Chairman Rey Lopez, RMI Solutions
On behalf of the all the MBEs and the GNEMSDC board, I want to thank Rey Lopez ofRMI Solutions for serving as Gala Honorary Chair representing the MBEs.

"Resource Management Inc (RMI) is an outsourced HR solution that helps businesses simplify and save time. With RMI to handle the necessary HR and compliance programs for your company, you and your staff can concentrate on what you do best."
2014 Annual Gala MC - Jonathan Coachman
jcWe 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
David HinsonWe 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
Former President Awardees, CT State Treasurer Denise L. Nappier and MDC President and CEO Chuck Sheehan will be with us at Gala 
nullI am happy to announce that former President Award winners Denise Nappier, Treasurer for the State of Connecticut and Metropolitan District Commissioner Chuck Sheehan will be attending the Awards Gala.  Denise Nappier is the first African-American woman elected Treasurer in U.S. history. Chuck Sheehan has been one of the strongest executive supporters of the GNEMSDC.  We look forward to their being there next week.
Special Thank You to Outgoing GNEMSDC Board Chair Lawrence Wooten, Pitney Bowes 
Lawrence (Larry) Wooten: with over 30 years of procurement and supplier diversity experience. In my current role as Manager Supplier Diversity for Pitney Bowes Inc., my  primary responsibilities are the creation and launch of the formal supplier diversity strategic plan. The plan consists of the strategy for inclusion of diverse businesses in the sourcing process, reporting metrics, communication and supplier development plans.

Prior to joining Pitney Bowes, Larry held positions with MeadWestvaco, and Time Warner Corp. His responsibilities included building the supplier diversity program from the ground up and developing a robust 2nd tier program to assist in extending the supplier diversity program to all stakeholders. 

Larry spent the majority of his professional career with United Technologies Corporation (UTC), Sikorsky Aircraft Division.  He held various positions of leadership throughout his time with Sikorsky, including Supplier Diversity Manager, providing leadership and management of annual spend of $900 million to ensure diverse suppliers had the opportunity to compete for contracts awards. Larry was the lead advocate to ensure the company achieved both internal and external goals associated with U.S. Government contracts.  Larry also held the position of Commodity Manager with the responsibility of managing annual raw materials spend of $30 million.

Larry is past Chairman of the Central Region for the Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and is the former Vice-Chairman of the CT. Minority Supplier Development Council.

Larry has participated as a panelist on issues effecting small and diverse businesses, and has also spoken in support of increased utilization of diverse businesses in a global environment. Larry has also been recognized for his efforts as an advocate for diverse suppliers, including being selected as The Minority Business Advocate of the Year by the CT. Minority Supplier Development Council.

Larry is a graduate of Albertus Magnus College with a degree in Business Management.Larry also has served as past Commissioner for Economic Development in Hamden CT.

Lawrence is also moving on from Pitney Bowes.  Later this month, Lawrence will take the role of President and CEO of the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council based in San Francisco.  We wish Lawrence all the best in his new role.
GNEMSDC Board Chairman Tom Davis, Cartus
T. Thomas Davis is vice president external supplier diversity of Cartus Corporation.

With over thirty-five years of relocation industry experience, Tom has developed and managed a progressive range of businesses for Cartus, including quality assurance, finance and accounting, and government and military programs.  Tom is responsible for all of Cartus' supplier diversity initiatives.  Cartus is an active member of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC).  Under Tom's leadership, dollars to minority business enterprises (MBEs) increased 240%.

Prior to becoming vice president, Tom was director finance and accounting where he was responsible for all financial aspects of an operating division of Cartus.  As director quality assurance, Tom developed and implemented an automated system that captured client service feedback, enabling the company to isolate problems, make corrections and enhance client satisfaction impacting profitability in a positive manner.

Tom is current secretary of the GNEMSDC board of directors and the first vice chairperson of the National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC) national chairperson's committee and is the former chairperson of the Board of Directors of the GNEMSDC, as well as being a member of Concerned Black Men for Youth and the NAACP.  Tom was the recipient of the United States Small Business Administration's 2006 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award, in 2007 was named a Champion of Diversity by Diversity Plus Magazine and was the 2010 GNEMSDC Shining Star recipient.

Tom is a native of Stamford, CT, received his Bachelor of Science degree form the University of Bridgeport (CT), his MBA form the University of Connecticut, and a Certificate in Executive Leadership from the Hartford Graduate Center.
GNEMSDC MBEIC Board Chair Lori Johnson, CommVerge 
Lori Johnson is the principal of commVerge Marketing.  commVerge Marketing concentrates on expanding your company's marketing visibility.  "
Our consulting and digital media services are delivered to get you to the top of mind with your customers, prospects and partners."  commVerge marketing has won multiple local and national awards for their outstanding work.
GNEMSDC  First Vice Board Chair Alton Moss,
UTC & Pratt and Whitney 
Mr. Moss is the Supplier Diversity Manager at Pratt & Whitney. He works closely with other United Technologies divisions and cross-functional leaders as well as the UTC Supplier Diversity Council to provide insight, resources, and tools to achieve the company's supplier diversity goals.

Mr. Moss' prior experiences include Commodity Manager, Cell Leader; Manufacturing Engineer, Purchasing; Methods Engineer, and Continuous Improvement Change Agent.  In addition, Mr. Moss won a Pratt & Whitney "Team Leadership Award" for his contributions to an assets recovery effort.  He is also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and a certified Association of Supplier Diversity Professional (ASDP).
Mr. Moss received his B.S. in Industrial Technologies from Central Connecticut State University (CCSU).  He also holds a MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), with a focus on International Business.
GNEMSDC Second Vice Board Chair Ruth Johnson, TJX 
Ruth Johnson is Supplier Diversity Manager at TJX Corporation, where she is program manager for minority- and women-owned and other diverse businesses for TJX's domestic divisions.  Ruth has been with TJX since November, 2002. 

Prior to her current position, Ruth had over twenty years of experience in the purchasing arena as buyer, consultant and manager with corporations that include Gillette Corporation, Digital Equipment Corporation, Children's Hospital of Boston and Polaroid.

Ruth represents The TJX Companies on several committees and boards that include the
Center for Women & Enterprise, the US Business Leadership Network's Certification Committee and the National Minority Supplier Development Council's Advocacy Committee and Retail Industry Group.  She also serves as a board member of the GNEMSDC in the position of 2nd Vice Chairperson. 

Ruth received her B.S. from Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland and has completed post graduate courses at Northeastern University in Boston.
GNEMSDC Board Secretary Ron Marlow, Commonwealth of Massachusetts 

Ron Marlow serves as the Assistant Secretary for Access and Opportunity in the Patrick administration.  In this role, Marlow is responsible for overseeing and coordinating efforts to ensure that all individuals, no matter their race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability, have an equal opportunity to work for and contract with state government.  Additionally, Marlow is responsible for reviewing existing state programs, activities and policies to ensure that they are consistent with the goal of promoting nondiscrimination and equal opportunity.

Prior to taking on this position, Marlow served as Director of the Governor's Development Cabinet, where he worked to coordinate the efforts of the executive offices that are engaged in large-scale economic development projects and initiatives.  In this position, Marlow played a leading role in helping to craft "The Springfield Partnership," a blueprint for state engagement in efforts to revitalize the city of Springfield.

Mr. Marlow is very active in civic engagements.  He is a founding member and President of the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Minority, Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Directors (NASMWDD); a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation; a member of the Board of Directors of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council (GNEMSDC); a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC); a member of the Board of Directors of the Childrens Investment Fund; and a member of the Massachusetts State Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights.

Mr. Marlow is a graduate of Northeastern University (Master of Science) and The Pennsylvania State University (Bachelor of Arts).
GNEMSDC Board  Treasurer Hugh Peltz, RBS-Citizens Bank
Hugh Peltz is Head of Health, Safety and Environment for RBS Citizens 
Financial Group's Business Services division. He is responsible for the 
strategic direction of the program and for ensuring it meets regulatory and 
policy-compliance needs.

Peltz joined RBSCFG in 2009 as the Sourcing Group Manager for
Telecommunications. He subsequently moved to Technology Services,
where he served as Vendor Manager across RBS Group. More recently,
Peltz was responsible for the design and implementation of the framework
to bring enterprise-wide contract management to RBS Americas.

Prior to joining RBS, Peltz spent a decade building and running companies across a variety of
industries in New England.

Peltz received a B.S. in political science from the University of Wyoming.
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
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. Eileen 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 6th when the winners are announced.   
GNEMSDC 2014  Annual Gala Agenda
 The Agenda for the Awards Gala is as follows:

4:00 PM  - Annual Meeting of the Organization

Chairman's Report
President's Report
Nomination of New Officers and Directors
Certification Committee Report
Treasurer's Report
MBEIC Report
Education Committee Report

5:00 PM - Gala Reception

6:15 PM - First Call for Gala Seating

6:30 PM - Gala Starts

8:00 PM - Award Presentations

9:05 PM - Closing Remarks

9:15 PM - Gala Over
 Photo Memories from the GNEMSDC Gala 2010-2013
  2013 GMEMSDC Annual Awards Gala in Boston
One thing to inspire you to sign up for the 2014 is to take a look at these photos from the 2010 - 2013.  Hundreds of BEAUTIFUL MBEs and Corporate members.  Also see Governors, Senators,  Mayors, other elected officials, CEOs and other business leaders who attend our Gala.  Take a look and share!

The 2014 GNEMSDC Annual Awards Gala is Tuesday, May 6 at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT.

 GNEMSDC and Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce Networking Session - May 14
GNEMSDCGNEMSDC and the Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce
Invite you to attend our annual 
"Getting to Know Each Other Networking Session"

Wednesday May 14 at 5:00pm
at the GNEMSDC - MA Office
100 Hunting Ave - Dartmouth Shops
Boston, MA 02116S
                                     Space is limited!  RSVP to Sarah James - sjames@gnemsdc.org
                                                                    Before Monday May 12th 
 HealthCare Supplier Diversity Event - May 14
Saint Francis will once again host the Healthcare Supplier Diversity Event.  We ask that you plan on joining us for the full program scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m at Maneeleys Banquet and Catering Facility, 65 Rye St, South Windsor, CT 06074. Lunch will be provided.

Immediately following registration & light refreshments, we will begin our formal presentations and wrap up with the "Reverse Trade Show".  The "reverse trade show" format is where Saint Francis, other area hospitals, certification organizations, and participating primes will be the exhibitors instead of the vendors.  

Exhibitors include;
  •          Bridgeport Hospital
  •          Boston Scientific
  •          Connecticut Hospital Association
  •          Hartford Healthcare System
  •          Johnson Memorial Hospital
  •          Partners Healthcare
  •          Premier, Inc.
  •          WB Mason
  •          WorkFlowOne
  •          Yale New Haven Health System
RSVP today to Allison via email ABobrows@stfranciscare.org.  Space is limited!
Please see the Event Flyer for additional information. 
 2014 GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classics - Registration Now Available!
GNEMSDCThe GNEMSDC Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Golf Outing will be Monday, June 2, 2014 at Ferncorft Country Club, Middleton MA.  This year we will have a putting contest at 1:00pm and the tournament will begin at 1:30pm.
 
The GNEMSDC Connecticut Supplier Diversity Golf Outing will be on Friday, July 11,2014. Lyman Orchards Golf Club Middlefield, CT.  The tournament begins at 7:30am.

If you are interested in a fun afternoon/morning of golf, networking, food, drinks and relationship building please register at:  WWW.BOOTHLEADS.COM/GNEMSDC/GOLF2014
   
Please see the brochure for additional information and new Golf Sponsorship Opportunities.  Enter our Putting Contest and you could win a cash prize! Not a golfer? We have several non-golfer activities or you can learn the game and be taught by a pro in the Golf Clinic.
 
 The MA Early Bird Registration Discount will end May 9th so don't miss out!  
 And Finally
 Every year at this time, I take a quick peak at the list of attendees scheduled to be at the Awards Gala.  I am always encouraged to see the names of senior corporate executives who support the work of the GNEMSDC and the  supplier diversity managers and directors on their team.  This senior support is very important for the successful implementation of an effective supplier diversity program.  We all are very aware of the challenges facing procurement professionals who are often torn between providing cost effective high quality suppliers while at the same time increasing opportunities for certified MBEs.  And to add another wrinkle, supply chains are shrinking the numbers of vendors and increasing opportunities for global companies to enter their global supply chains.  At times these goals conflict with one another.  But it is at activities like our Gala tomorrow that we level the playing field for certified MBEs.  Not many suppliers or  potential suppliers have the opportunity to meet and get to establish business relationships with senior corporate decision makers in a festive non-threatening environment like what will occur at our Gala.  MBEs I encourage you to come out and meet CEOs like Anne Noble of Connecticut Lottery, Chuck Sheehan of The Metropolitan District Commission, Bill Jennings, President and CEO of Bridgeport Hospital, Rodney Butler, Chairman of Foxwoods and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation along with many others who will be there to enjoy a wonderful evening where we celebrate the best each of us has to offer.  Get plenty of rest.  I look forward to seeing your smiling faces on Tuesday evening. P.S. Don't forget to have plenty of business cards.

In your service

Dr. Fred