May 12. 2014

GNEMSDC Open House in Downtown Hartford May 28
The GNEMSDC is opening a satellite office in downtown Hartford.  To kick off the occasion we are having an open house at 2 Wethersfield Avenue, our new home away from home.  The open house will feature local and statewidepolitical leaders including Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra. There will be light food, drink and entertainment.

There are four reasons for opening the Hartford office: 

1. We are expanding our efforts in the lucrative and growing construction industry.  According to Reed Construction, in just RI, MA and CT there is over $200 billion in post-bid commercial and civil construction taking place.

2. We are moving closer to our Hartford area corporate membership.

3.  Hartford has the greatest concentration of MBEs in CT. And

4.  Being in Hartford puts us closure to the political and economic leadership in the State.

We invite all of our stakeholders to join us on the 28th from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM..  Our Hartford office will be in the newly renovated Borden Mansion, now owned by one of our MBEs.  For those old enough to remember, Borden Milk, this was their family home.  The building is on the National Historic Registry.  If for no other reason come and see what has been done to this grand old house that will now be our Hartford home.                       
  Gala Photos
Please take a look at these wonderful photos taken by Tom Ficklin at the GNEMSDC Gala last Tuesday.  
Feel free to share them with your friends, family and colleagues.
 http://tomficklin.blogspot.com/2014/05/gnemsdc-2014-gala.html
  2014 GNEMSDC Supplier Diversity Golf Classics - Registration Now Available!  
GNEMSDC
The 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.  

Call the GNEMSDC offices with any questions:  203-288-9744 or 617-578-8900
 
 ***The MA Early Bird Registration Discount has been extended for one additional day!  Be sure to purchase your tickets by the end of the day today, May 12th!  Prices go up tomorrow.***
 GNEMSDC and Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce Networking Session - May 14
GNEMSDC
 GNEMSDC 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
                                                                    By Tuesday  
May 13th
 
 at noon
The Walt Disney Company Requests You to Submit a Profile to be Considered to Attend Their Supplier Diversity Summit  
 Please submit your profile by clicking here.
Corporate Member of the Week:  Boston Scientific  
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world.  As a global medical technology leader for more than 30 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare.  For more information, visitwww.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.

Boston Scientific is engaged in an ongoing effort to build diversity and inclusion into every aspect of our company, including our supply chain.  To that end, Boston Scientific is committed to the sustained support of Small and Diverse Businesses who share our dedication to improving the quality of patient care.  As part of our procurement process, we proactively provide maximum practical opportunities for certified: Minority-Owned Businesses, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Veteran-Owned, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, HUBZone Businesses and other diverse supplier classifications.

We drive the success of the program through the following:
  • Active memberships in local and national organizations that support small and diverse suppliers
  • Supporting supplier diversity trade shows and match making events
  • Utilizing a Supplier Registration Portal to track potential small and diverse suppliers
  • Participating in outreach activities that support small and diverse suppliers
  • Educating Boston Scientific employees on the benefits and business case for supplier diversity
By creating partnerships with Small and Diverse suppliers, we add to the economic and social vitality these businesses bring to their communities.  If your company would like to be considered for Boston Scientific supplier diversity program, complete and submit your Supplier Profile athttp://BOSTONSCIENTIFIC.cvmsolutions.com
MBE of the Week: Ibis

 IBIS is a leader in diversity and change management with more than twenty-four years' experience. Our consulting approach is systemic, comprehensive, collaborative and results-oriented. We have provided diversity consultation to a variety of organizations across the nation and internationally.

 IBIS provides a wide range of diversity services including diversity assessments, training, e-learning, global leadership development, coaching, and diversity strategic planning and implementation. We have guided large organizations through comprehensive diversity initiatives and have consulted to small non-profit organizations. IBIS has helped clients create cutting edge programs, and to benchmark their diversity efforts against industry standards. We have worked at all levels of organizations including senior leadership, managers, and staff.

For more information Visit their website.
Welcome to our new Corporate Member:  Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) 
Welcome to our newest Corporate Member:  Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA).  The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority is the largest regional transit authority in Massachusetts with 174 buses, 144 vans and 24 participating member communities. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority was created by Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 161B in 1974 as a funding source and to provide oversight and coordination of public transportation within the Pioneer Valley region.  Learn more about the PVTA at  http://www.pvta.com/                             
Boston MBDA Business Center Global Opportunity Forum
LET'S MAKE EXPORT OPPORTUNITIES HAPPEN FOR YOU!
Featuring: David Leister, Project Manager
MBDA Global Business Center (San Antonio, TX) Additional speakers announced shortly!

June 11, 2014 * 8:30am -10:30am
The Palladium (2 Copley Place, 4th Floor * Boston, MA 02116)

The National MBDA has a number of Business Centers that provide specialized support to Business Center clients. The San Antonio Business Center focuses on exporting & is already helping a number of Boston Business Center clients with contract opportunities outside of the U.S. Boston Business Center Clients can benefit from the San Antonio Center's established partnerships in numerous countries that reduce risk and increase opportunities.
  
Space is limited!  Please RSVP to jwang@bostonmbdacenter.com by June 4
Congratulations to the newly oriented MBEs  
                             Thomas Dunn of Eastern Bank was the guest Corporate presenter.                            
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:  
  • May 12, 2014- MBE Pre-Certification Webinar 2:00 pm- 3:00 pm.  To RSVP to
     Click here.
  • May 13, 2014 - Anti Defamation League Torch of Liberty Award Ceremony Honoring Carl Highsmith (Dr. Fred will present Carl the Award.) Program is at Congregation B'nai Jacob Woodbridge, CT.  For more information contact jmagid@adl.org.
  • May 14, 2014 - GNEMSDC & Hispanic-American Chamber of Commerce Networking Session at the GNEMSDC Boston Office  Additional Information
  • May 14, 2014 - St. Francis Hospital  Healthcare Supplier Diversity Event, 8:00AM to 2:00 PM at Maneeleys Banquet and Catering Facility, 65 Rye Street, South Windsor, CT.  Space is limited contact ABobrows@stfranciscare.org.  You need to RSVP by May 2!
  • May 15, 2014 - NMSDC PRISM Vendor Management Training Session for Certified MBEs, 1 - 2 PMClick here to register.
  • May 15, 2014 - SBA - GNEMSDC Matchmaker at Microsoft Corporation, Cambridge, MA Additional Information.
  • May 15, 2014 Mohegan Sun Informational Vendor Forum Reggie Lewis Center, 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury 12pm to 2pm rsvp here 
  • May 15, 2014 -  Connecticut Housing Finance Agency and LUPA are holding an event at Hartford Public Library 5:30 - 8:30, Dr. Fred is the Keynote Speaker.  The purpose of the event is to bring together Latino leaders CHFA and first time homebuyers. (NEW DATE)
  • May 19, 2014 - New MBE Orientation, GNEMSDC Office 333 State Street, Bridgeport CT .  Click here to rsvp
  • May 20, 2014 - Bridgeport MBDA Business Center Business After Hours, CafĂ© 1000, 1000 Lafayette Blvd. Bridgeport, CT 06604 5:30 PM -7:00 PM, RSVP by May 16, 2014 click here.
  • May 21, 2014 - NMSDC Leadership Awards Gala, NY Hilton, NYC.  For more information, visitwww.nmsdc.org
  •  May 28, 2014 - GNEMSDC NEW Hartford Office Reception 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM. 2 Wethersfield Avenue, Hartford CT. RSVP here.
  • June 1-5, 2014 - NMSDC Kellogg Advanced Management Education Program. The NMSDC has some scholarships available for interested and eligible MBEs.  Contact Kanita Sandidgeatkanita.sandidge@nmsdc.orgfor more information.
  • June 4, 2014 - Mohegan Sun Informational Vendor Forum North Shore Community College 300 Broad Street, Lynn 12pm - 2pm rsvp here 6pm - 8pm rsvp here
  • June 9, 2014 -  GNEMSDC MA Golf Outing, Ferncroft Country Club, Danvers MA  Additional Info 
  • June 11, 2014 8:30am - 10:30a, MBDA Global Procurement Opportunity Forum  Additional Information. 
  • July 11, 2014- GNEMSDC CT Golf Outing, Lyman Orchards, Middleton, CT  Additional Info
  • September 30-October 1, 2014 - GNEMSDC Expo and Conference, Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort, Uncasville, CT
  • October 10, 2014 - GNEMSDC Advanced Leadership Program, Bridgeport, CT (First Weekly Session)
  • November 20, 2014 - GNEMSDC/MBDA Best Practice Forum, Fenway Park, Boston, MA
Invitations for Bid and Opportunities
  • MBE looking for an experienced sales rep to cover the CT market, selling into the Biotech and Manufacturing industries.  Highest commissions paid in the industry, and working for a company with over 23 years in business.  
  • Experience required, the right person could exceed 100,000 in total compensation.  Needs to grow the region, but will also be given accounts to expand on in the CT area.  All interested applicants can either email you and you can forward their info to me or they can email me directlyatfrankq@qaisupply.com .
  •  State of Connecticut Department of Transportation job opportunity:  Transportation Public Transit Administrator 
  • Department of Revenue job opportunity:  Office Support Specialist I   
  • The Boston Public School Department is seeking bid proposals  "T0 provide hot and cold vended meals for the Boston Public Schools -  Mu;ti Year contract (3 years) - RFP# 866" and for the "Purchase of fall sports equipment and supplies for Boston Public Schools - BID# BPS 867"  If interested please contact Andie Kim for a complete bid proposal packet.
  • One Source Mechanical Solutions is looking for Licensed HVAC Piping Refrigeration Installer for more information contact jlittle-greer@gnemsdc.org
  • CT Lottery Corporation has an opening for a Maintainer position.
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston has an opening for the position of  Enterprise Infrastructure Engineer.
  • SpineFrontier has an opening for the position of Supply Chain Manager
  • Massachusetts Community & Banking Council has an opening for Executive Director.
  • Harvard University is committed to increasing their efforts in hiring a more diverse population at Harvard Medical School.  Please visit their career website for employment opportunities.
FYI
 And Finally
On behalf of the GNEMSDC board of directors, I thank all of the sponsors, attendees, advertisers, volunteers, staff members, Gala committee members, and our Honorary Co-Chairs, Rey Lopez of RMI Solutions, Ray Peloso of RBS Citizens and Ellen Angley of Northeast Utilities, for making the 2014 Annual Awards Gala a tremendous success.  I also want to congratulate all of the nominees and the award winners for their commitment to excellence.  For the nominees that did not win, I say a special congratulations because while you did not walk across the stage on Tuesday night, you made an indelible impression on everyone in attendance.  To award winners, I say to you, keep up the great work.  You are setting a shining example for us all to follow.  I also give a special thanks to our Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Loic Assobomo who told an inspiring story of why he became a medical entrepreneur. To our special recognition recipients, Bill Boodry, Cheryl Clarke,  Lynette Shenefield, and Lawrence Wooten, I say thank you for your service. You will be missed but never forgotten.  And to our President's Award Recipient, David Hinson, I thank you for your wisdom and commitment to minority business development.  President Barack Obama made a wise choice in selecting you to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency.  You served with distinction and brought us all honor. 

I have received numerous comments from those in attendance since Tuesday night.  And one word sums up most of what I have heard - inspiring.  If we inspired you that evening then we accomplished our goal.  This is hard work that we do.  We often toil in obscurity within corporate America.  MBEs often work hard without the reward of a contract.  Yet we keep at it.  We keep striving.  We preserver and we stay positive.  We do not always win, but we believe and have faith in ourselves and others.  And on nights like Tuesday we are rewarded and recognized.  It is an honor to serve in this role to see the fruits of that labor.  Thank you.

In your service

Dr. Fred