Chairman’s corner

As chairman of the SCMBDC, Fred Lona, senior director of supplier diversity with Hilton Hotels Corporation world headquarters, aims to insure that the council continues to provide relevant programming and services to its members. “This includes listening to the council’s members and insuring that all have a forum to express their ideas and recommendations,” he said. “Only by allowing members to be heard and participate can they truly receive a return on their investment in the council that exceeds their expectations.”

According to Lona, active involvement with the council is important because it allows the free interchange of ideas and information between its members. “This exchange is important because the most important asset in today’s market is information and ideas,” he said. “My involvement was a result of recognizing the benefits that the council was providing and could provide in the future to its members. This organization was one of the first organizations I joined when I entered supplier diversity. The organization taught me a lot and assisted me in better understanding the market. As a result, I wish to help others as others have helped me in the past and pass the torch to the next generation of supplier diversity advocates.”

Lona also stressed that business leaders need to remember to appreciate the professionalism and dedication of the council’s staff. “They are usually the first contact anyone has with the council and provide that important first impression of the council to the world,” he said.