HispanicBusiness

Corporate Awards Presented to PepsiCo, Public Service Enterprise Group and Novartis Pharmaceutical

NEW YORK, Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 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 "National Corporation of the Year Award" was presented to PepsiCo. Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG) received the "Regional Corporation of the Year Award." Sheri Shafir, associate director of Supplier Diversity, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corporation, received the "Advocate of the Year Award.

Minority-owned businesses certified by The Council that received "Supplier of the Year Awards" were: "Class 2" Michael E. Smith, president & CEO, The Griffin Security Agency and "Class 4" winner David W. Barfield, CEO, The Bartech Group.

"These 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. "The 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 17 year-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 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. New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc.

Web site: http://www.nynjmsdc.org/