NY & NJ Minority Supplier Development Council Inc.

Hilton O. Smith, senior vice president of Cleveland-based Turner Construction Co. is the current board chair for the New York & New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council. Smith’s goal for the Council is that its staff continues to exhibit professionalism in every respect as they deal with corporate members and the minority business owners. “Their track record in this area is beyond reproach,” Turner said. “Secondly, I want The Council to exceed its goals in bringing more corporate members into our fold.

There are many outstanding corporations that have yet to join as corporate members. We need and want them in a significant way. Also, I want to see our certified MBEs grow and exceed their busi­ness goals. I would like to see us exceed our goals in bringing in more certified MBEs.”

Turner’s long and tested record of commitment to profitable growth of minority business enterprise prompted Smith’s involve­ment in The Council. “Personally, I have a 37-year commitment to seeing certified MBEs expand, broaden their horizons and create long-living businesses,” he said. “The Council is important to me because I have seen the value for many years of its work, especially as it relates to developing strong networks and team concepts between certified MBEs and corporate members. I have faith in the mission of The Council.”

Key 2007 Achievements

• Signed MOU with New York State — The Council has signed an historic Memo of Understanding with New York State that permits Council-certified minority businesses to fast track and bid on state con­tracts.

• Convening Corporate Roundtable Meetings with New York State and Supplier Diversity Executives — In conjunc­tion with the office of New York State Lieutenant Governor David A. Paterson (now Governor Paterson), The Council convened three major meetings between New York State and 45 top cor­porate, supplier diversity executives in the area to discuss strategies to increase business oppor­tunities for New York State certified minority- and women-owned firms.

• Established Request for Proposal Training Workshops — The Council created a series of Request For Pro­posal (RFx) training workshops, which were sponsored by corporate members. The full-day proposal writing workshop sessions covered an overview of the RFI, RFQ and RFP process.

Business Opportunity Expo 2007 — Mayor Cory A. Booker of Newark, N.J. and stockbroker Christopher Gardner, author of the bestselling book and hit film “The Pursuit of Happyness,” who are both nationally known advocates on minority business development, were keynote speakers at The Council’s Business Opportunity Expo 2007. It was attended by over 700 corporate members and MBEs.
Mentorship with NMSDC affiliates — President Lynda Ireland had mentor relationships with two sister councils: Minority Supplier Development Council of PA-NJ-DE and Upstate New York Regional Minority Purchasing Council.