GNEMSDC and State of MA Applying for MBDA Grant

The Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council is applying for a Minority Business Development Agency grant that would bring a Minority Business Center (MBC) to Boston in 2011.

The GNEMSDC has agreed to partner with the State of Massachusetts on this project. The five year federal grant, if approved, would allow the GNEMSDC to open and staff a MBC. The purpose of the MBC is in perfect alignment with the goals and mission of the GNEMSDC and the State of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). The goals are to increase MBE spend with corporate and public sector organizations, and to increase the capacity of MBE’s in the region. David Hinson, Director of the MBDA made it clear at our March 3 "Capital and MBE Capacity Building" Summit at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston that MBE’s need to get larger through joint ventures, strategic alliances and access to appropriate capital. The MBC would assist in this effort to build larger more viable MBE’s.

The target MBE’s for this proposal are:

    • fast-growth MBE’s,
    • MBE’s that have the capacity grow rapidly (20 percent or more per year),
    • large MBE’s with the existing capacity to handle multimillion dollar - multiyear contracts with private or
       public sector organizations,
    • MBE’s trying to access global markets,
    • MBE’s that are in high growth targeted markets like green technology, energy, health care and
       telecommunications.

The MBDA will measure success by the dollar value of contracts, loans and financial investments for MBE are who participate in the MBC program.

The proposal is due early next month and we would appreciate MBE’s that fall into these areas and would interested in participating in the MBC to write a brief letter on your letterhead simply saying you are interested in learning more. Corporate members can assist our chance of being the winner in this grant competition by writing a brief letter saying that you welcome the opportunity to working with such a center to work with larger MBE’s on larger contracts. Banks and financial services companies can also participate in this effort by writing a brief letter saying that your institution stands ready to provide appropriate financial support to MBE’s participating in the program. All letters should be addressed to the GNEMSDC and be in by April 27. Click here to see sample letters.

The GNEMSDC and the State of Massachusetts are very excited about this program and our collaboration. We have already put together an impressive list of other strategic partners. Your assistance and your comments are welcome. We look forward to bringing a MBC to Boston. The MBC can serve corporate members, and MBE’s throughout the GNEMSDC region, so even if you are not in Boston or MA, you are still welcome and eligible to participate.

Gary Lambert was appointed Assistant Secretary for Operational Services on March 21, 2011. Prior to accepting his appointment as the head of Massachusetts’ Operational Services Division, Lambert spent eleven years as a senior member of CGI’s Spend Management Solutions Service Line Group where he served as Vice President for Spend Management Solutions. At CGI, Mr. Lambert oversaw Spend Management initiatives with a focus on the public sector. He was the solutions architect for the Commonwealth of Virginia’s nationally recognized, award winning eVA eProcurement system. He was key contributor to the design and development of the AMS Advantage Procurement solution, recognized as one of the leading end-to-end procurement solutions in state government today. Additionally, Mr. Lambert provides thought leadership and subject matter expertise in the area of public sector spend management, and procurement.

Before going to work in the private sector, Mr. Lambert spent almost 20 years working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in a number of positions ultimately serving as the Deputy State Purchasing Agent for the Massachusetts Operational Services Division. In this capacity, Mr. Lambert worked as the Chief Operating Officer for a division charged with overseeing commodity, service, information technology, and health and human service procurements on behalf of the Commonwealth with annual expenditures of approximately $2 billion. He also developed and maintained the Commonwealth Procurement Access and Solicitation System (Comm-PASS), an Internet-based solicitation distribution system and was the champion behind the multi-state eMall pilot program. Other duties during his tenure with Massachusetts included developing policy and regulations for human and social service delivery systems as well as managing the operations of 20 Commonwealth of administration and finance agencies. Mr. Lambert is a frequent speaker on the subject of spend management, and has been featured in publications such as Government Technology Magazine and Washington Technology Magazine.

Mr. Lambert earned his bachelor’s degree with honors in Political Science from Suffolk University.

Patricia Wynn recently joined the Operational Services Division as Deputy State Purchasing Agent. At OSD Patricia oversees Training and Outreach Programs, the Human and Social Service Provider Audit Unit, Quality Assurance, Fleet Management, Comm-PASS (on-line solicitations and bidding), the Commonwealth Print Shop and the Surplus Property Program. Before joining OSD, Patricia served as the Senior Director for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Office of the Governor. A practicing lawyer for more than twenty years, Patricia served as the Deputy Chief Counsel of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, CPCS, the statewide public defender agency of Massachusetts. Her legal career included private practice as a sole practitioner specializing in criminal defense and bankruptcy. In addition, Patricia served as Chief Counsel to the Massachusetts House Committee on Ways and Means, Assistant District Attorney in Plymouth County, MA and staff attorney with the Solicitor's Office of the United States Department of Labor.

In 2009 Governor Patrick appointed Mr. Reginald A. Nunnally as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office Diversity Office formerly known as the State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA) for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. His responsibilities will be to lead the agency to what he refers to "Beyond Certification" assisting minority and women owned small business with increasing their capacity to better be able to participate in the Massachusetts economy. As a result of the consolidation of the Supplier Diversity Program, Gary Lambert , Assistant Secretary for Operational Services has elevated Nunnally to a leadership level within OSD to continue to oversee the Supplier Diversity Program as well be responsible for policy and procedures for the Small Business Purchasing Program and the Supplier Diversity Program.

Nunnally has been involved in economic development for the past 18 plus years, initially as the Executive Director of the Grove Hall Neighborhood Development Corporation that spearheaded the redevelopment efforts on Blue Hill Avenue Corridor in Boston Massachusetts

He was the first Executive Director for the Enhanced Enterprise Community responsible for processing over $44 million of federal funds for Empowerment Zone economic development projects. His career highlights include facilitating the process for the financing of the Mecca Mall in Grove Hall, the South End Health Center, Merengue Restaurant on Blue Hill Ave, the Best Western Round House Suites and the Hampton Inn Hotel, (the first African American owned hotel in Boston and the first hotels to be built in Roxbury since the turn of the 20th century.) These projects created over a thousand new job opportunities for residents living in the inner city . Mr. Nunnally was also the creator of Boston Connects Inc. micro loan program geared for existing business and individuals aspiring to start or expand a business within Boston's Empowerment Zone neighborhoods.

Reggie has been a past recipient of the Small Business Administration' s Minority Small Business Advocate of the year award for both Massachusetts as well as all of New England, the City of Boston's Henry L Shattuck Award, Mattapan Life Time Achievement Award and ABCD's Outstanding Volunteer Award at it's 30th Annual Dinner, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Boston Local Development Corporation, A Loan Program assisting small businesses with accessing capital in the City of Boston.

He has received his BSW from Providence College and completed his graduated studies at Boston University as well as received training at Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Bill McAvoy currently serves as the Deputy State Purchasing Agent for Policy and Compliance and as Chief Legal Counsel in the Operational Services Division (OSD), which oversees the Commonwealth of Massachusetts procurement process for goods and services and specific operational services. In this role, Bill oversees all legal issues and matters and policy development and ensures OSD's compliance with all laws, regulations and policies and also oversees specific functional areas, including Special Education Pricing, Contract Management and OSD web content. Prior to his current role, Bill served as OSD's General Counsel for the past 11 years, where he oversaw all legal issues and matters related to the Commonwealth's procurement and contracting responsibilities in addition to all legal issues surrounding OSD's other operational services. He has served as the Chairperson of the Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education Procurement Panel and has presented at numerous NASPO and other government procurement events.

Prior to being appointed as OSD's General Counsel, Bill served for over 11 years in the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General in numerous positions, including Budget Analyst, Procurement Manager, Assistant Attorney General, Legal Counsel for Operations, Budget Director and as Senior Counsel to the Attorney General. He also worked for several years in the private sector for several companies, including Hewlett Packard Corp. Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Merrimack College, where he majored in Marketing and minored in Spanish. He also earned his Masters degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University and his Juris Doctorate degree from New England School of Law.

Bonnie Cunningham has worked for the Commonwealth of Mass for over 31 years in six different state agencies. Her primary responsibilities have been in Human Resources and Payroll Administration. Initially she assume responsibility for budget development and maintenance as well as HR and Payroll. In her new position as Director of Administration and Finance for OSD she will have responsibility for all financial matters including but not limited to accounts receivables, account payable, payroll and budget development. She will continue in her role as the Director of Human Resources and will also have overall responsibility for office management. Ms. Cunningham earned her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Misericordia University. Supporting her in this new role is the Administration team of Elaine LaMonica, Amy Fu, Grace McLaughlin, Susan Egidio and MaryAnn Abbott.

Sky Rise, LLC Certifications:
SOMWBA (State Office of Minority and Woman Owned Business Assistance)
MBE (Minority Business Enterprise)
DBE (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise)
SDVOSB (Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business)

Established in 2005, Sky Rise is a multi-service advertising and marketing agency providing strategic planning for businesses. We help clients develop their corporate brand, graphic design, web design, media planning & buying (radio, TV, Web, billboard, taxi, bus), photography services, print services, special events and personalized promotional marketing solutions/ad specialist.

We offer a free 30-minute consultation to assist you with your marketing and advertising needs. We believe in building relationships built on trust, honesty and integrity.

Sky Rise provides products, services and assistance to small, medium and large prime contractors for local, state, and federal contract opportunities. We believe in teaming and collaboration to take on projects, which are beneficial for all parties concerned.

Our SDO Certifications have helped us with our current contract opportunities with MASSPORT (Massachusetts Port Authority, MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, State Universities, VA Hospitals (Veterans Administration) and other MBE & DBE Firms. Sylvester Ryan, President, is proud of the relationships his company has built over the past 5 years.

Sylvester Ryan is Principal Owner and Creative Director of Sky Rise, LLC also dba Sky Rise Advertising & Marketing based in Plymouth MA. Prior to starting his agency/creative firm he was on the sales & marketing staff at WBZ NewsRadio, Viacom Boston, creating marketing solutions for the Greater Boston area radio and television networks. Ryan's first career was serving in the United States Army as a Medical Logistician, Recruiter and later became a Combat Developer and Operations Non-Commissioned Officer for the Army Medical Department Center and School. During his 20 years of service he completed his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration and served a combat tour in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia. While serving he dedicated many hours of community service mentoring youth at the Boys and Girls Club. Most recently, while managing two companies of his own, he served as the President of the Friends of the Plymouth Council on Aging supporting senior citizens. Ryan, now retired from the U.S. Army also dedicates his time to support Veterans and Veterans initiatives. He found a way to support Veterans by creating the Veterans Identification Program, which issues Identification Cards to Veterans. Ryan reaches out to private corporations to offer Veterans a discount for their products and services to honor them for their service. Any company can take part in this program. To find out more go to: www.Veteransid.com or call 508-732-0007 if you are interested in offering our United States Military Veterans a discount. This program is important to Ryan, as he is a Veteran, Veteran of Foreign War and Service Disabled Veteran. If you would like to find out more about Sky Rise Advertising & Marketing go to: www.skyrisellc.com or call 508-732-0455. Ryan would like for you to know that: he has dedicated his life to helping people by serving his country, his community and he takes the same approach to helping his clients with their business needs.

       Colonial Steel Corporation

Colonial Steel Corp. is a steel erection company that sets steel, precast and prestressed bridge beams as well as performing other related bridge work such as the installation of bearings, SIP forms, utility brackets, joints and rail. They also perform steel bridge repair and maintenance and do miscellaneous steel work.

Colonial Steel Corp. was incorporated in Massachusetts in March of 1996. They operate most frequently as a subcontractor, but have also performed as a general contractor. They have been in business 15 years, are WBE and DBE certified and are MassDOT prequalified for $500,000 in the categories of Bridge: Construction, Culverts, Deck Repairs and Joints.

Colonial Steel has worked in all six districts of the MassDOT system for general contractors, state agencies and authorities and several municipalities. They have established relationships with E.T. & L. Corp., James A. Gross, Inc., R. Zoppo Corp., Mackin Construction, Massachusetts Port Authority, MassDOT, the MBTA and several municipalities.

Colonial Steel Corp.'s ability to perform work on schedule, on budget and safely is their strength.

       Triunity Engineering & Management awarded Subcontract supporting
        MBTA Green Line Extension

Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services (DBE-SS) Program participant, Triunity Engineering & Management, was recently awarded its first subcontract supporting the MBTA Green Line Extension project.

The joint venture of the Gilbane Building Company and HDR Engineering, Inc has subcontracted Triunity to provide Advanced Conceptual Design and Preliminary Engineering for the telephone, intrusion detection, public address system, electronic message signs, CCTV, passenger assistance, elevator intercoms and WAN connection at each station.

Marvin Thomas, President of Triunity said, "Since we began participating in the DBE-SS business development program things have really taken off for us in Massachusetts. We are thankful to the Gilbane/HDR JV for reaching out to us and showing their embrace of diversity not only in their companies but also in their selection of project partners and to DBE-SS for providing training and access. This subcontract is a testament to the community that we are here to stay and that we intend to be a vital part of public projects in my home state of Massachusetts."

About Triunity Engineering & Management, Inc

Triunity Engineering & Management, Inc. provides an every growing range of technical services, to government and industry customers, including Engineering, Project Controls and Information Technology. Triunity has been selected as one of three finalists for The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce 2011 Minority-Owned Business of the Year.

For more information go to www.triunityeng.com

DBE SS March activities included hosting "Get Connected: Access to Sales and Marketing" and Co-Sponsoring "Access to Credit and Capital" with MassHousing. In the Business Development Tract portion of the program, class participants learned the three pieces of business financials, how they are inter-related, and the ratios that can be derived from each piece. Class participants further explored how others view their financials and the simple, every day calculations they can perform to measure their financial health.

If you are a RWA DBE and are interested in any portion of the DBE SS Program, please contact Brian Ross at 617-973-8574 or Mary Richmond at 617-973-8696.

DBE SS Advisory Board

The Advisory Board has created and is in the process of finalizing a bid and change order checklist. This checklist includes components of a bid or change order that DBEs should take into consideration when preparing their quotes. The Board will also be creating model templates for DBEs to use when compiling costing data for quotes.

The Board continues to add issues to it's parking lot so as not to lose track of important items on which they may be able to offer resources and assistance to the DBE Program overall. If you have any challenges, thoughts, or comments please contact Brian Ross at 617-973-8574.

Next month the Board is excited to welcome its newest member Bernard Brown, Manager of Compliance and Diversity at MassHousing.

Opportunity Database

The Opportunity Database tallies survey responses from DBEs and Prime Contractors. Scope of work items related to highway construction are listed for Primes and DBEs to enable SDO in matching Prime Contractors' needs with available DBEs and the DBEs' specific items of work in which they are certified. The database is posted for use by Prime Contractors and DBEs alike to promote new relationships and business activity. If you are interested in participating in the survey, complete the forms below and fax them to (617) 973-8637until April 5th. After April 8th, 2011 fax them to (617) 502-8841.
Click on the icon for the survey tool

Get Connected Events

"Get Connected: Access to Sales and Marketing" was held on Monday, March 14th, 2011. Keynote speaker; Beth Goldstein, President of Marketing Edge Consulting Group delivered a presentation to participants on "Creating a Solid Elevator Pitch" and "the brand known as you".

The elevator pitch needs to be cohesive about what you do and why it matters to who you are talking to. It's really important that the listener understands why what you do is going to have value for him/her. Your brand has to align with customer needs. Quantify what makes you better than your competitors. Talk about turn-around time. What makes you stand out? An elevator pitch is about getting someone's attention so they're going to ask you for more information. The typical adult attention span is 15 - 30 seconds. That's why when you do an elevator pitch, if you haven't gotten everything down you've lost your audience.

A brand is more than a logo. Branding can play on emotions. Other elements of branding include what you say, what you deliver, what you do, how a business performs, how a business executes who they are as a business. Execution is all about who you are. Your brand, your message, to the world is critical but you don't do it just be telling what you do - It's always about performance. It's always about execution.

What do you need to know for who your customers are? Who are they? What influences purchases? When do they buy? Why do they buy? Where do they gather data and how did they find you? You need to be asking these types of questions. You need to know how customers find you so you can go and attract more customers.

The 10 Commandments of Networking:

Address the audience's needs - Whether it's one or 500 people, it's all about them
Make strong eye contact - It impacts credibility and shows your confidence
Be confident - A solid handshake, Make eye contact, Have your right hand free to shake
Be clear and articulate - Watch tone and inflection, Minimize accents
Pace yourself - Don't talk too fast,
Speak in appropriate volume - Don't speak like you're addressing 500 people in an elevator
Watch your body language - Appropriate gestures help explain your point and show your passion
Show sincerity - Look interested, don't look bored
Be easily approachable - Smile - Project a friendly, open manner
Practice, practice, practice

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Expands Program to Help Small Businesses Participate in Transportation Programs

This rule improves the administration of the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program by increasing accountability for recipients with respect to meeting overall goals, modifying and updating certification requirements, adjusting the personal net worth (PNW) threshold for inflation, providing for expedited interstate certification, adding provisions to foster small business participation, improving post-award oversight, and addressing other issues. For the full Federal Register notice Download .