The keynote speaker, Dr. David Anderson, founder and president of the BridgeLeader Network, and founder and senior pastor of Bridgeway Community Church, spoke about the need for Gracism which he defines as “positively extending favor to other people in spite of or sometimes because of color, class or culture.”
“I am pleased that the Committee for Business and Economic Diversity has empowered the Howard County business community to thrive, both socially and economically,”
As the nation prepares to celebrate Small Business Week, May 18-20, 2011 the CBED Business Recognition Program hosted by the Howard County Economic Development Authority honored:
Business Achievement
The Alternative Board - Tina Corner
The Alternative Board (TAB), an organization serving privately held businesses with $1 million to $75 million in annual revenue, provides business owners with targeted business coaching, peer advisory boards, and a successful business owner network. Since launching TAB-BWI in 2005, Tina’s company has assisted more than 200 companies in getting to the next level based on the owner’s and company vision. More than 80% of those companies are located in Howard County.
Edwards & Hill Office Furniture - Hans Edwards and Tony Hill
Founded in 1998 by Hans Edwards and Tony Hill, Edwards & Hill Office Furniture is a leading office planner and supplier located in Columbia, Maryland. The company has grown to manage many office furniture and interior design projects for government customers around the nation. Edwards and Hill has also managed many commercial projects for such customers as Comcast and the Gaylord National resort and Convention Center.
Vision Systems & Technology, Inc. - Dwayne Robinson
Founded in 1997 by CEO Dwayne Robinson, Vision Systems & Technology, Inc. (VSTI) has established itself as a thought leader in the field of intelligence value estimation. VSTI engages in providing software and support to the U.S. Intelligence Agency. The company has earned a reputation for giving client agencies in the Intelligence and Department of Defense communities a distinct decision advantage. VSTI’s Advanced Solutions Lab has allowed its senior technical staff to collaborate with vendors and partners to develop domain-specific solutions on state-of-the-
Individual Achievement
Vonda Peterson - Creative Access
As president and founder of Creative Access, a national interior planning and consulting firm, Vonda Peterson brings over 22 years of experience and a unique perspective to her clients as well as the firm’s design team. She has grown Creative Access, Inc. to include a diverse team of project managers and designers who work collaboratively to provide the best solutions to their clients. The Creative Access team provides their clients with total project management including reviews, planning services, and creating detailed architectural drawings.
Eileen Levitt - The HR Team
The HR Team’s founder and President, Eileen Levitt, has nearly 20 years of human resources experiences relating to human resources strategy, employee communications, training, recruitment and retention strategies. Since forming The HR Team in 1996, Eileen has built The HR Team portfolio to include a myriad of human resource services. Eileen’s greatest accomplishments have involved the implementation of cost-effective and time-efficient recruitment and retention practices that have enabled her clients to attract and retain high-quality employees.
Business Diversity Achievement
Emerge, Inc. - David Wamsley
Emerge, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Columbia, creates supportive environments and individualized services for people with disabilities. Founded in 1976 and led by Executive Director David Wamsley, Emerge has provided over 400 individuals in Baltimore City, Baltimore, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties with residential, employment and day services. Its demonstrated track record of success serving individuals with disabilities and complex challenges has distinguished it as one of the best agencies in the state of Maryland.
Howard County General Hospital Rising Business Star Scholarship
José Perez - Wilde Lake High School
In the summer of 2010, José Perez started as an intern at Sun Ventures, a multi-service corporation commercial and residential building contractor. He quickly learned every aspect of the job and the respect of his coworkers and company owner -- so much so that he was tasked to run the company for an entire year while the owner was on medical leave. José has been a participant in the “Transfer of Technology to the Market Place” program at Howard Community College where he and his team placed first based on inventiveness, research, and their plan to get a salmonella vaccine to the market. José plans to study business and entrepreneurship at Howard Community College.
Earl H. Saunders Entrepreneurial Scholarship
Aaron LeRoi Hodge - Glenelg High School
Since he was five, Aaron Hodge has had an interest in cooking and over the years, his interest grew into a full-fledged passion to pursue a career in the culinary arts. In order to develop his skills, Aaron enrolled in the Culinary Arts career track at Glenelg High School, participated in two culinary art invitational state-wide competitions where his team won third place, and participated in a fundraiser called “men in the kitchen” serving more than 40 guests. Aaron’
About Committee for Business and Economic Diversity: Through the Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED), the Business Resource Center, and in conjunction with its economic development partners, the Economic Development Authority recognizes, encourages and promotes economic diversity and equal business opportunity for minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. CBED is a permanent, standing committee of the Howard County Economic Development Authority.
Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, attracting corporate/regional headquarters and maintaining programs aimed at the needs of businesses owned by minorities, women and individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Authority, please visit http://www.hceda.org.
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See related by visiting: http://www.hceda.org/
2011 CBED Business Recognition Program
Business Recognition Video Presentations (Windows Media Videos - allow a few moments to download):
* The Alternative Board (TAB) - Tina Corner
* Edwards & Hill Office Furniture Company - Hans Edwards & Tony Hill
* Vision Systems & Technology, Inc. (VSTI) - Dwayne Robinson
* Vonda Peterson - Creative Access
* Eileen Levitt - The HR Team
* Emerge, Inc. - David Wamsley
* Howard County General Hospital Rising Business Star Scholarship - José Perez, Wilde Lake High School
* Earl H. Saunders Entrepreneurial Scholarship - Aaron LeRoi Hodge, Glenelg High School
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The Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership that promotes growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, and attracting corporate/regional headquarters.
