NMBC Launches Executive Management Program Geared to Help M/WBE Businesses

Jan. 23, 2013 - PRLog -- On the heels of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signing new legislation (NYC MBE Bill Number 911-A) which will potentially expand the number and size of contracts awarded by the nation’s largest city to minority and women-owned business enterprises (M/WBE), the National Minority Business Council (NMBC) is sponsoring a five-day Executive Management Program to help MWBE companies expand their capabilities and capacity.  The program runs through January 30th.

         “All of the companies that are sending representatives to participate in the NMBC Executive Management Program are trusted suppliers to their corporate sponsor and on a fast track of growth,” said John F. Robinson, president and CEO of NMBC (www.nmbc.org).  “Our program has been modeled after very established and successful programs that have been offered for years by major educational institutions, including the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. “What’s unique about our program is that all of the participants are attending on scholarship and it is the only condensed and intense program of this kind to be offered in Metropolitan New York.”

         Advising on the curriculum, which will be composed of 20, 90-minute interactive lectures, was Monroe College (www.monroecollege.edu), NMBC’s educational partner of record.  “Since its founding in 1933, Monroe has always offered a career-oriented curriculum with academic requirements designed to make our graduates as ready and as competitive for the job market, as possible,” noted Prof. Stacy Crawford, deputy chair of Monroe’s School of Business.  

         “We always offer core courses in the basics of business but we also stay current with new trends in technology and other business trends. The NMBC Executive Management Program curriculum reflects this model with courses ranging from Business Plan Development and Marketing and Advertising, to presentations on contemporary business tools, such as Social Media, Supply Contracts, and Strategic Partnerships, all particularly relevant to the students participating in this pilot program.” Also participating from Monroe College is Walter Eddie, executive director of the Office of Career Advancement.

         Claire Scanlon, vice president of supplier diversity for BNY Mellon, the corporate sponsor of the program, said, “Over many years we have invested in capacity-building efforts and tools to help the supplier community and support the growth and sustainability of small businesses.  Successful supplier development programs, such as the Executive Management Program, not only contribute to the sustainablity of the various communities that we serve but they also reflect BNY Mellon’s global business priorities which includes partnering with suppliers that share the value we place on strong ethics, transparency, and operational reliability.”

         “It takes many people to put together a program of this caliber,” noted Ben Jones, chairman of the NMBC Board of Directors.  “But I want to especially thank William Drewes, the program’s administrator. In both his law practice and through his involvement with NMBC, Bill has been a long-time advocate for MWBE businesses and for education and training programs.  He played an instrumental role in securing the scholarship underwriters and the instructors, all of whom are generously donating their time and expertise.  I only wish we could offer him an Honorary Doctorate for the yeoman’s job he did in putting together what I anticipate will be a long-running and expanding program.”

         Scholarship sponsors include American Express, BNY Mellon, Ernst & Young LLP, L-3 Communications Corporation, National Grid, and SHI International Corp.