Together, Expect More!

In 2011, The Council had a great year! Among all of our accomplishments we are especially pleased by the 20% increase in both our corporate memberships and in the number of minority business enterprises (MBEs) certified. We are also pleased with our execution of over fifty events last year.

In 2012, we expect to continue that growth in both our corporate memberships and our MBE certifications. We also expect to continue our execution of high quality events in order to improve our learning and increase connections between our corporate members and to the MBEs. To help us achieve these expectations, we welcome Brenda Lucero to our team in the role of Special Projects Coordinator and Administrative Assistant.

In the first two months of 2012, we have already held the following:

• A Kickoff event at Cableland. Thanks to our generous sponsors: MillerCoors and Agile 1 for making this event happen;
• An Open House with Milender White Construction Company;
• An MBE Orientation;
• A Networking/Happy Hour with World Wide Technologies;
• A Corporate Roundtable event at Janus Capital Funds;
• As well as participated in three outreach events

These events, along with the many other activities scheduled in 2012, are precursors to the four major event that we hold this year (referenced in Stan's article or stated in the Calendar of Events). You are greatly encouraged to attend and participate.

In the coming issues of the InTouch, we want to continue recognizing the successes of our MBEs and Corporate Members. Share your success with the Council. We want to showcase your growth, brand recognition and achievements within the business community.

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Finally, we bid a fond goodbye to Bill Dempsey as he assumes his new role as Vice President of Procurement with Shire Pharmaceuticals.  We to acknowledge his strong commitment to minority business enterprise, as evidenced by participation from within MillerCoors (corporate member of the Rocky Mountain MSDC). Shire is one of the world's leading specialty biopharmaceutical companies.

Bill Dempsey served as the Director of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing for MillerCoors. Bill's team led procurement activities including strategic sourcing, contract management, supplier management and operational purchasing for $3.5 billion of packaging and indirect material category spend.  

Prior to MillerCoors, Bill was a Managing Consultant for IBM Business Consulting Services/PwC Consulting in their supply chain/procurement practice. Bill led procurement transformation projects for world class organizations in the Entertainment, Consumer Products, Healthcare, Manufacturing and Financial sectors. In addition, Bill has experience as an Operations Engineer at UPS and Roadway Package (now Fedex Ground); and has worked as an Industrial Engineering Manager for HB Maynard.   

As pictured above, the Rocky Mountain MSDC awarded Bill the Nelson Ball Advocate of 2011 Award.  To Bill's left is Tamela Lee formerly of the City & County of Denver and to Bill's right is Stan Sena, Rocky Mountain MSDC President & CEO.  Thanks, Bill, for your leadership, vision and all the great MillerCoors libations.       

In 2012, "together, expect more!" We continue to welcome your input, contributions and active participation. Through your active engagement, we all receive valuable information and form meaningful partnerships that will contribute to your bottom line.

Belinda Hooks  

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Photos below taken by photographer and sponsor Vern Howard of A*Star Photograph.

Fond Memories of February 1 Cableland Kick-Off Event sponsored by MillerCoors and Agile1 

FUN FACTS FOR OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY

When the National Minority Purchasing Council (NMPC) was chartered in 1972, its primary function was to certify Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American-owned minority business enterprises (MBEs) for its corporate members. As more companies were certified, the next task was to figure out how to keep track of them. The answer: a Minority Vendor Data Base.    

Today, the NMSDC database is known as the Minority Business Information System or MBISYS®. It is an electronic storehouse of more than 16,000 minority businesses certified by NMSDC's 37 affiliated councils. Each MBE has an MBISYS profile that provides a variety of information about the company: owner, size, location, description of the company's product or service, geographic coverage area, number of employees, certification date, etc. NMSDC's corporate members can access the password-protected database 24 hours a day to search for MBEs for procurement opportunities.

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NMSDC Executive Education Program for MBEs Slated for June

MNSDC will offer its Advanced Management Education Program (AMEP) for owners of NMSDC-certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) June 3 through 7 at North-western University's Kellogg School of Management in Evanston, Illinois. This four-day executive education program is designed to provide chief executive officers of growth-oriented companies with the knowledge and tools to move their business to the next level of success.

NMSDC corporate members recommend MBEs for the program, which is taught by the staff at the renowned Kellogg School of Management. The program also includes guest speakers who share their triumphs and challenges of entrepreneurship. To date, nearly 500 MBEs have completed AMEP.

"When I was selected to attend the AMEP at Kellogg," said Vanessa Troyer, co-founder and chief executive officer of Architectural Mailboxes LLC., "I had no idea what I was in for. I soon learned I was provided with a great gift of education. The timing could not have been better. Our company was growing and looking to obtain a larger piece of the market share. After each classroom session, I discovered new tools that would help take our company to the next level. The goal of any education is to give the student the ability to reason and think critically. AMEP was the enabler that fully developed my critical thinking skills."