January 09,2013
Corporate Awards Presented to PepsiCo, Public Service Enterprise Group and Novartis Pharmaceutical
The New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council (The Council) Partnership Awards Gala honored top minority entrepreneurs, Fortune 500 companies and public agencies for their successes in creating outstanding business collaborations on December 12 at the New York Marriott Marquis.
The œNational Corporation of the Year Award was presented to PepsiCo. Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) received the œRegional Corporation of the Year Award. Sheri Shafir, associate director of Supplier Diversity, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, received the œAdvocate of the Year Award.
Minority-owned businesses certified by The Council that received œSupplier of the Year Awards were: œClass 2 Michael E. Smith, president & CEO, The Griffin Security Agency and œClass 4 winner David W. Barfield, CEO, The Bartech Group.
œThese corporate members and minority entrepreneurs showcase the opportunities for business growth. They are front line supplier diversity advocates, said Lynda Ireland, president & CEO, The Council. œThe Council's jurisdiction has expanded to include the entire state of New York. Also, Governor Andrew Cuomo has committed a 20-percent New York State government spend with women and minority businesses. It's an exciting time for New York's minority businesses.
The glamorous evening was hosted by Doug Melville, chief diversity officer at TBWA Worldwide, and featured a powerful singing performance by Neve Polius, a 17year-old member of SCO Family of Services. There were presentations by Ireland, Pauline Gebon, vice president of supplier diversity, Adecco USA and chairperson of The Council; Joset Wright, president & CEO, National Minority Supplier Development Council; Leecia Eve, deputy secretary for Economic Development, State of New York; and Rev. Jacques Andre De Graff. Other business leaders included: Javier Palomarez, president & CEO, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and John Lau, president, New Jersey Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce. The corporate co-chair was Carol Britton, managing director and chief procurement officer, BNY Mellon and the MBE co-chair was Leo Russell, founder and CEO, Pride Technologies.
The Council, a National Minority Supplier Development Council affiliate, has approximately 200 corporations that are corporate members and 1,300 certified African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American businesses. Its jurisdiction encompasses the State of New York and spans to Trenton, New Jersey.
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PHOTO CREDIT: Tyrone Rasheed
PHOTO #1 Council Partnership Award Winners
(Front L-R) Sheri Shafir, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation; Chris Gallucci, PepsiCo; Susan Hogan, PSEG; (Second Row L-R) Michael E. Smith, Griffin Security; Doug Melville, TBWA (MC); Joset Wright, National Minority Supplier Development Council; Lynda Ireland, The Council; Pauline Gebon, Adecco/Council chair; David W. Barfield, The Bartech Group.
PHOTO #2 Council Chairs
(L-R) Joy Crichlow, former Con Edison/chair emeritus; Hilton Smith, Turner Construction/chair emeritus; Pauline Gebon, Adecco/chair; Lynda Ireland, president
PHOTO #3 Council Co-chair
(L-R) Jacqueline Rosa, JP Morgan Chase and Leo Russell, Pride Technologies, MBE co-chair
