First of all, I'd like to thank the current MBE Input Committee members and welcome the three new MBEIC Input Committee Members:

• Victoria Aguilar, The AR Group, LLP
• Wes Garnett, W. Garnett & Associates
• Richard Whayne Jr., Whayne Enterprises

I truly understand and respect the commitment that you all are making to volunteer your time and resource to work on behalf of all RMMSDC minority businesses.

I look forward to an exciting year for the Council in 2012. We've experienced significant corporate and minority business growth in 2011 and I see that as an opportunity to continue to provide access to corporations and matching of corporations and minority businesses to provide goods and services to their customers here in the US and abroad.

Our thanks to Stan Sena and his team for obtaining a grant to open a Minority Development Center here in Denver.  I am very excited about the work that the Council is doing as the operator of the Denver Minority Business Center and its advocacy for minority businesses in the Rocky Mountain area. The MBDA is a department of the US Department of Commerce and has offices throughout the U.S.  I'm reminded of what MBDA's National Director David Hinson said at the Atlanta NMSDC conference this year, "Minority businesses should view my staff and our offices as a way to expand their businesses nationwide." We should all be impressed with the new staff and the goals that they have for 2012.

Finally, Denver will be hosting the annual conference for the NMSDC in 2012. The annual conference is one of the largest conferences held each year in the United States. All registered minority businesses will have a unique opportunity to mingle with the 7,000 attendees expected and the large number of corporations that will be represented. While we will still be in a tough economy next year, now is the time to "sharpen the saw" and be prepared when opportunity presents itself. I would encourage all who can to register early to exhibit at the conference.

Happy holidays and I look forward to a prosperous 2012!

Greetings,  

I am pleased to introduce the first Denver Minority Business Center column in the Rocky Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council's (RMMSDC) In Touch e-Newsletter.

The opening of the Denver Minority Business Center was part of a Minority Business Development Agency funded grant, agency expansion and redesign. We are pleased and humbled to be one of 5 new centers/locations selected for the expansion in a network of 40 centers across United States. The other new centers are located in Cleveland, OH, Boston, MA, and Minneapolis, MN and a satellite presence in Anchorage, AK.

The agency's redesigned program eliminated geographic boundaries of the centers so we can assist minority entrepreneurs nationwide with access to markets, contracts and capital and offer strategic business consulting services. For new centers like the Denver MBC and its operator, (The Council), it means new resources for the minority business community through customized and strategic business consulting services.

As this time of the year, I cannot help but reflect on 2011 and look ahead to 2012. This year was both busy and productive. The RMMSDC was awarded the competitive federal grant in April; we launched the center on June 28th, hired staff, formed strategic partnerships, began an education campaign to inform minority owned business of the unique opportunities available, and started operations.

Specific accomplishments include;

• Closed contract/procurement transactions of more than $4 Million dollars,
• 42 new clients,
• Development of a deal pipeline greater than $50M, and
• Participation in 5 Business-to-Business contracting events.

With a successful 2011 soon to close, I am excited as to what 2012 will bring for the Denver Minority Business Center and for the firms we serve. If you have not contacted the center as to how we can help grow and strengthen your firm, please contact us at info@colombc.org and visit our website at www.mbda.gov/businesscenters/denver.

It has been my honor and privilege to work with each of you this past year and I look forward to continued growth and success in 2012. On behalf of MBDA, I extend to you and your families our warmest holiday wishes for a great new year.

Helena Haynes Carter 

Charles Sanders, CEO.  Urban Lending Solutions combines commitments to accuracy and excellence with innovative thinking to bring you a comprehensive suite of premiere real estate information products and services. We offer the support of a highly experienced staff, and are considered the "champion" supplier to many of the nation's largest lenders.

* Named for three consecutive years on Black Enterprise "B.E. 100" list in Services Firms.
* Listed No. 1 in revenue growth in the Black Enterprise magazine's top 100 list with an overall ranking of No. 28 in 2011.
* Named as one of the top 10 black entrepreneurs in the nation by Inc. 500 Magazine.
* Ranked No. 205 in Inc. 500's list of fastest-growing companies in 2011.
* Listed No. 15 in Inc. 500 Magazine's financial services industry section in 2011.
* Corporate Plus Member of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).
* Premier and volume leader for home retention (loan modification) analytics and fulfillment to the mortgage servicing industry for over 3 years.

Sky Blue Builders:

Sky Blue Builders, founded in 2007 by Mowa Haile, was originally established as a general contracting firm specializing in high-end custom home renovations. In 2008, Sky Blue Builders transitioned into the commercial arena focusing on commercial tenant finish and infrastructure. For over five years, Sky Blue Builders has succeeded in providing quality services and excellent customer service to numerous clients ranging from local municipalities and major corporations to major residential homebuilders. Being a versatile contractor, Sky Blue Builders has the ability to build our processes, our system and our culture around our clients' needs and expectations. We strive to reach and even exceed the expectations of our clients by focusing on the task at hand.

Summit Container Corporation:

Joe Mena, President.  Founded in 1984, Summit Container Corporation has become an award-winning manufacturer of corrugated packaging. The company's corporate headquarters is located in Monument, Colorado, fifteen miles north of Colorado Springs. Its two manufacturing, assembly and logistics facilities are situated in Monument and Arvada (Denver), Colorado.

Summit Container designs and manufactures custom corrugated packaging for many customers. With complete design and sample making capabilities its customer base includes many Colorado customers as well as national and international customers. Summit has emerged as the leader in the design and manufacture of reusable ESD protective packaging for the telecommunications industry.

Summit Container Corporation was admitted to the National Minority Supplier Development Council's elite "Corporate Plus Program" in 1998. This program recognizes Minority Business Enterprises who have demonstrated the capability to perform contracts on a national basis.

Global Sales Advisors:

Colorado Accounting & Financial Services

Colorado Accounting & Financial Services is owned by Zafar Khan and is devoted to establishing and simplifying your bookkeeping, financial and operati

A'Star's Photography is a company of "The Vern's LLC". A'Star's is a family owned company whose vision is to utilize our God given gifting and talents to capture memories that will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart, by preserving special memories that will last a life time.

Our goal of superior customer service is exhibited through our one-on-one personal services to you and your family, as well as, our very competitive pricing structure, quality products and timely delivery.

We recognize that you have a myriad of photography options, so we are delighted that you are considering A'Star's Photography for your special event or next photography session.

We invite you to explore our website and view a sample of our work, which includes; weddings, senior pictures, sporting activities, family photos, special events and scenic landscapes.

We also extend a sincere thanks to our raffle and door prize donors, including MillerCoors, El-Roi Jewelry Fashion, Wystone Teas, Denver Broncos, A Star Photography, and PromoLinks.   

Completing the evening were contributions from A Star Photography (Vern Howard, owner), Full Blown Events (Debra Griffin, owner) and our special venue Jazz@Jacks, Hog Heaven and Steven Roberts Desserts. 

• Goodwill Industries of Denver
• Hope Communities
• Hercules Industries
• Valencia Faye Wilson Tate (a member of the Rocky Mountain MSDC Board of Direct ors) 
• Venoco Inc.
• Jim White 
• Dr. Robbie Bean, Trailblazer Award