Powerful Presence
The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development
Council (www.nynjmsdc.org)
established a permanent presence in New Jersey, when it opened its first New
Jersey office in Newark on August 11. The office serves as a networking
resource and direct link between the state’s corporations and minority-owned
businesses.
Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. (PSEG) donated to The Council the use of
332-square feet of furnished office space, in its downtown headquarters. The
new office offers New Jersey minority businesses easy and convenient access to
information on how to become a certified minority business supplier and other
information necessary to establish or expand their business.
The Council, a regional affiliate of the
National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. is a non-profit
organization, which identifies and certifies minority-owned businesses, and
facilitates procurement opportunities between Corporate America and
Council-certified minority suppliers.
In 2004, The Council-certified minority business owners
conducted over $5 billion in services with its corporate members, which
consist of Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies and educational
institutions.
"For many years, PSEG has been a major supporter of the
mission of The Council. This new first floor location at PSEG will give The
Council the opportunity to be more visible not only in Newark, but in New
Jersey,” said Lynda Ireland, president, New York & New Jersey Minority
Supplier Development Council. “It will be an important tool in sharing the
benefits of minority business ownership.
PSEG's support has ranged from hosting the NJ headquarters
office for The Council to developing innovative education programs for The
Council's minority business owners. Their support has been tremendous.”
"As a member of The Council's Board of Directors, I am proud
to see PSEG open their doors to establish a much needed New Jersey office
location,” added Susan Hogan, PSEG manager supplier diversity. “In
doing so, they continue their valuable and long-standing commitment to
diversity and The Council.”
Dr. Harriet Michel, president, National
Minority Supplier Development Council and Robert E. Busch, president
and chief operating officer, PSEG Services Corporation welcomed and addressed
the group of 100 invitees. Those in attendance included leading officials from
New Jersey minority business organizations, such as:
Daniel Jara, president, Statewide Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce of New Jersey; Charles Jones, executive director, Black
Chamber of Commerce of Northern New Jersey; John Harmon, president &
chief executive officer, Metropolitan Trenton African American Chamber of
Commerce; and Seema Singh, president, Asian Indian Chamber of Commerce
of New Jersey.
Fred Canady,
vice president of PepsiCo supplier diversity program and chair of The Council;
and John E. Anderson, PSEG vice president of supply chain management
joined Ireland and several New Jersey minority-owned business representatives
in making brief remarks.
