American Home Builders RFP for KINECT @ Burien Project

American Home Builders invites you to submit a proposal for the KINECT @ Burien project located in Burien, WA. It is important that you review the bid documents carefully. The responses will be the criteria used for the selection of the successful project candidates.

Please see opportunity attached for more information:

KINECT @ Burien RFP

Tuck Diversity Business Programs and National Minority Supplier Development Council Partner to Help Diverse Business Owners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2021
Contact: Tammy Wilkins, Chief of Staff
Tammy.Wilkins@nmsdc.org | 212.944.2430

New York, NY, March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tuck Diversity Business Programs and the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) have formed a partnership to support the growth of Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) across the country.

NMSDC will award numerous scholarships to MBEs to attend one of Tuck’s signature Diversity Business Programs, Building a Successful Diverse Business or Growing an Established Diverse Business.

Building a Successful Diverse Business focuses on the essential tools that owners need to successfully establish their businesses in the marketplace. It is designed for emerging entrepreneurs who are looking to build a strong foundation of business knowledge and learn how to be a better supplier to corporations.

Growing an Established Diverse Business enables participants in established businesses to accelerate their growth. This follow-up program to Building a Successful Diverse Business helps participants overcome the challenges that business owners often see after several years of successful growth and helps them assess the alternatives to organic growth—strategic alliances and acquisitions.

The Tuck Diversity Business Programs started in 1980 and are the country’s oldest programs designed to develop diverse business owners at a graduate business school. Since its inception, thousands of business owners have participated in the programs.

“The Tuck Diversity Business Programs team is very excited about our relationship with NMSDC. They are one of the premier certifying organizations in the country and we look forward to sharing our programs with their membership,” said Emmanuel Ajavon, associate director of Tuck Diversity Business Programs.

How to Apply

NMSDC scholarships are open to NMSDC-certified MBEs.  Applicants to Building a Successful Diverse Business should have a minimum of three years of experience running a business and at least $250,000 in annual sales. Applicants to Growing an Established Diverse Business should have already attended Building a Successful Diverse Business or be able to demonstrate comparable experience and education.

Applicants who are interested in being considered for an NMSDC scholarship must complete the online application at and enter “NMSDC Applicant” under “Sponsor Company (if applicable).”

For more information, please contact Emmanuel Ajavon at emmanuel.ajavon@tuck.dartmouth.edu.

About NMSDC | https://nmsdc.org

Chartered in 1972, The National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) was stood up because of the civil rights movement in the late 1960s and continues to be the leading minority business development organization in the United States. NMSDC supports the economic sustainability of more than 13,000 certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) and advances minority business development by facilitating procurement opportunities between its certified MBEs and its network of over 1,500 Corporate Members. NMSDC’s African American, Asian-Indian American, Asian-Pacific American, Hispanic American and Native American businesses provide products and services in many industries. The NMSDC network includes a National Office in New York, 23 regional affiliate councils, five international partner organizations and the Business Consortium Fund (BCF) as its funding arm.

Follow NMSDC on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

About Tuck Diversity Business Programs | https://dbp.tuck.dartmouth.edu

The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth was the first U.S. institution of higher education to offer executive programs dedicated to advancing the capabilities of underserved entrepreneurs and executives. Since setting the standard in 1980, Tuck has continuously honed its program, expanding and refining what is covered to create the maximum impact on the businesses of its attendees.

2021 Virtual Business Conference Part One

The Northwest Mountain MSDC hosted part one of its annual Business Conference. This is the second time the Council hosts a virtual conference due to the Pandemic.

It was a successful morning of networking between MBEs and Corporate/Public Agency Members. During this session, Dr. Suj Chandrasekhar, Founder and Principal, Strategic Insights discussed “Digital Transformation”. Earl W. Overstreet II, President, GMI shared a motivational presentation, as he told the story of his journey as an entrepreneur. Fernando Martinez, President and CEO of the NWMMSDC closed out the meeting with an informative presentation, sharing Council activities and defining Tier 2 / Mentor-Protégé.

To view Suj’s presentation, click here: Digital Transformation

To view Fernando’s presentation, click here: 2021 Business Conference Part One

Public and Private Sector Join Forces to Expand Vaccine Access

Summary

King County, with the support of Boeing, has moved its Auburn vaccination site to the Outlet Collection in Auburn as of March 29 to expand vaccine access.

Story

King County has relocated its Auburn community vaccination site from the General Services Administration Complex to the Outlet Collection shopping center in Auburn, in large part due to a partnership with Boeing, which has contributed to the clinic’s infrastructure. The larger facility will allow for six times the appointment capacity of the previous site.

Expanding vaccine access in south King County

Vaccination efforts have shown tremendous progress in King County. Both the Auburn and Kent vaccination sites have contributed to the larger, county-wide effort of administering over 960,000 doses to date, as well as closing the equity gap for those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

This relocation and vaccine access expansion come at a critical moment. Vaccine eligibility is increasing across Washington, and as of March 31, approximately 1.2 million King County residents will be eligible under the existing and expanding criteria. Continued partnership between County government, the City of Auburn, and partners like Boeing facilitate the infrastructure needed to support ongoing vaccination efforts once supply meets demand.

Our expanded capacity at our Auburn clinic will help us get more vaccine to the communities hardest hit by the outbreak, and help us all stay healthy,” said Executive Constantine. “Working together with our community partners, King County is ready to get everyone vaccinated once supply allows.”

“King County has been relentless in their efforts to provide south King County with COVID-19 resources to fight this virus,” said Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus. “I cannot be more proud of our business partners at the Outlet Collection and the Boeing Company for stepping in to help make this strategic move. I also want to extend my deepest appreciation to our local firefighters from the Valley Regional Fire Authority and the Puget Sound Fire Authority who have been working alongside us from the beginning to administer vaccines and care for us. I urge all residents of Auburn to utilize this vaccination site when you become eligible so we can bring this virus under control.”

“The Health Department has recommended moving the site to the Auburn Outlet Collection in order to accommodate as many people as possible”, said King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer. “Their decision is data-driven and supports the finding that access to vaccinations is critical if we are going to defeat this virus.”

“Boeing is honored to support Public Health – Seattle & King County in opening a new mass vaccination clinic in Auburn,” said Auburn Site Leader Melissa Fleener. “Our neighbors in south King County have been impacted by the pandemic to a higher degree than many of the surrounding communities, and we are pleased to be able to provide assistance where it is most needed.”

“We know vaccination is one of the most critical tools we have to slow the pandemic down,” said Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County. “We will continue to work diligently with our community partners at this new Auburn site to ensure we reach even more south King County residents as access and eligibility expand.”

The Auburn Outlet Collection site also offers several other benefits to community members as they prepare for vaccination, including:

  • Easier access by transit – the site is located directly on several major bus lines and can be reached by a direct bus service from Auburn Station.
  • Accessible to those without a vehicle – the previous drive-through only site required access to a vehicle. The new facility is ADA accessible, and mobility assistance from trained staff is available on site to help patients if needed.
  • Indoor operations – the new site is entirely indoors, which prevents weather-related disruptions and creates a safer environment for all during the vaccine administration process.

The current drive-through COVID-19 testing site at the General Services Administration Complex in Auburn will continue to operate. More information on how to secure testing appointments is available at Public Health’s website, COVID-19 Testing Locations.

Registration information

Beginning Tuesday, March 30, eligible residents can register for an appointment at Public Health’s vaccine website, Getting Vaccinated in King County.

Currently, registration is only open to vaccine-eligible residents of south King County. You must have an appointment, so please do not show up directly to the site without an appointment.

Assistance registering by phone: Call Washington state’s COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press # for help with registration by phone. For language interpretation state your preferred language when you are connected.

Location information

Source: ht/depts/health/news/2021/March/29-vaccination.aspxtps://www.kingcounty.gov

Fernando Martinez Defines the 7 Attributes of True Leadership

“Leadership is the ability to motivate and lead individuals, teams, and organizations through discovery, discussion, and actions they would not have arrived upon on their own.”

It took a lifetime of work, research, experimentation, and refining before I arrived at my definition of leadership.  To become a great leader, more importantly a visionary-leader requires a significant deal of work and conscious effort. I had to be very intentional in my search for understanding what a great leader does, why a great leader seeks this role, and ultimately understand how to become a visionary.

1st attribute of Leadership – Desire:  I consciously committed myself to become a great leader.  It takes time, effort and risk.

2nd attribute of Leadership – Be a Teacher:  I have enough confidence in myself to be willing to share all my learning’s from my work, education, and experience.

3rd attribute of Leadership – Challenge:  I have been willing to lean forward into risk throughout my career and being a provocative thinker: consistently asking the question “So What?” – not to be difficult but to encourage thoughtfulness and deep level 2nd and 3rd level thinking (i.e., critical thinking).

4th attribute of Leadership – Courage:  Intelligently face challenges.  It takes courage to lead into the fray day-after-day, defining accountability, holding people accountable, and putting the right people in the right seats.

5th attribute of Leadership – Team Builder:  Respect for everyone is the foundation of building a team: Respect for themselves; their teammates, and, for the organization.  Respect for the leader that sets the course and helps them understand how to get there.

6th attribute of Leadership – Collaborator:  Very early in my career I found that all the good leaders pull all the appropriate resources/stakeholders together and help them achieve a common goal.

7th attribute of Leadership – Communicator:  Without the appropriate level of communication the other characteristics of leadership are of no value.  A good leader communicates, communicates, communicates!

Lastly, as these seven attributes build upon each other and become an innate skill, we achieve the pinnacle of leadership – Insightfulness – Visionary:  Through my years of experience I feel I have moved from being a first line employee to becoming a Visionary – a state of “Enlightened Competence.”  This is a state true leaders desire to achieve.  It is the state where we see things no one else sees as well as gaps, solutions, opportunities, and improved methodologies that no one else sees. This is the highest state of Leadership we can achieve – become a Visionary, become a Great Leader!

Download – Fernando Martinez Defines the 7 Attributes of True Leadership

Northwest Mountain and Fernando Martinez: Helping Small Businesses Dream Big

March 10, 2021 | Port of Seattle

The Northwest Mountain Minority Suppliers Development Council (NWMMSDC) is a national organization that links government agencies, corporations, and private sector prime contractors with certified minority-owned businesses (MBE’s) wanting to do business. NWMMSDC is a 501c3 with two-tier participation. The Northwest chapter includes Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah. Shepherding the organization for the last eight years is president and CEO, Fernando Martinez. Fernando says the council’s purpose is laser-focused to create equity between qualified minority businesses and Fortune 500 corporations, regional corporations, and public agencies like the Port of Seattle.

Q: Who should join the Northwest Mountain Minority Suppliers Development Council?

A: From a corporate perspective, entities that believe in diversity workforce, marketing, and supply chain. From the minority business perspective, companies that want to be on a grander scale and wish to grow. 

Q: What is NWMMSDC’s relationship with the Port of Seattle? 

A: The council has had a relationship with the Port of Seattle for over thirty years. We support the Diversity in Contracting team members. We provide them with a list of competent WMBE’s with a proven history to meet the contracting needs of the Port.  

This past summer, I was invited to speak and I talked about our pillars. Our organization has four key pillars. The first is the certification process, a robust approach to certify minority businesses. The second is development. That’s where we (with our partners) work with MBEs to help them understand their gaps and their strengths. We also assist them in building capacity for their organization. The next pillar is networking. That pillar matches competent businesses with opportunities at the Port of Seattle.  

We hold events and offer one-on-one meetings and personal introductions. It’s relationship building. The last piece is advocacy. This is where we work to educate our MBEs, our corporate and public agencies, and, in some cases, legislators about supplier diversity. We want to educate everybody on the value of supplier diversity and the value of being inclusive. 

Q: What advice do you have for small and WMBE businesses?

A: Dream big and let people help you with your dream. Don’t assume you know everything, that you don’t need any help, or can do everything yourself. Be willing to let others help and support you with your dream. Open yourself up to exposure and vulnerabilities because that will make you stronger, and it will put you in a better position to do business with organizations like the Port. 

Q: What expectation does the council have for its businesses?

A: We hold them accountable for who they are and what they want to be. We point out that pitfalls and help them change their strategies. The best thing we can be is honest and truthful with them and not give them veiled statements. 

Q: What should businesses do now in these uncertain times?

A: Small MBEs should take advantage of everything the government offers, including paycheck protection, and emergency disaster loans. Firms need to understand business sustainability, be willing to engage and network with others, and able to expand their businesses since 25 to 30 percent won’t come out of this pandemic. Businesses should look at how they can grow and absorb those that won’t make it. 

Q: What are some of the council goals for the future?

A: We are committed to leaning in. We don’t just think about the business. We think about the people the firms employ and help them grow to pay their employees better wages. The employees can then provide food and shelter, and their kids can go to school with full tummies and focus on learning. Our council’s utmost agenda is your great-grandchild. I want to help you grow, so you leave something for your great-grandchild. If we do this, we will have generational wealth, and we will have economic and political strength. We can truly change the dynamics of racism in this country.

https://www.portseattle.org/blog/northwest-mountain-and-fernando-martinez-helping-small-businesses-dream-big

Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council Stands Firmly in Support of our Asian American Pacific Islander Community

The Northwest Mountain MSDC stands strongly in support of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community and against all forms of hate, racism, and violence. We condemn current and past acts of anti-Asian violence and support the civil rights of AAPI community.  This hate, racism, and violence, deeply rooted in personal and institutional beliefs, has no place in our society. We, at the Northwest Mountain MSDC, are committed to the eradication of such hateful, violent, and destructive behaviors.

The attacks in Seattle, Atlanta, and across the country against our AAPI Community has no place in a civilized society. Attacks have escalated over the last year. Hate crimes against our AAPI Community increased 149% in 2019, while overall hate crimes in the U.S. declined. Other sources, that do not necessarily report crimes to the Police Department, indicate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander Community ranged between 3,800 and 4,800 incidents. Most of these hate crimes, 68%, were committed against women.  The trend continues. In 2021 there have already been over 500 reported hate crimes against members of the AAPI Community.  Hate crimes will continue to increase in numbers, simply because individuals think they can commit acts of violence against innocent people based on their race, ethnicity, and gender without fear of repercussions from our legal institutions.

The Council vehemently opposes these acts of hate, racism, and violence. We must stand together as a community to #StopAsianHate and stop all hate, racism, and violence.

About the Council

Founded in 1978, the Northwest Mountain Minority Supplier Development Council is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to drive economic value by equalizing opportunities.  As an affiliate of the National MSDC, the Council certifies minority owned businesses and provides access to supplier development, supply chain inclusion, networking events and formal introductions. The Council serves the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

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Download Press Release

2021 Leadership & Advocacy Awards

NORTHWEST MOUNTAIN MSDC RECOGNIZES EXCELLENCE IN PERFORMANCE FOR 2020

The Northwest Mountain MSDC recognizes excellence in performance annually. Yesterday, we celebrated outstanding corporate and individual supplier diversity leadership and advocacy achievements in 2020, a year full of challenges for all businesses. Congratulations to all Award Winners! Read more here.

To view the presentation, click here: 2021 Leadership and Advocacy Awards by Fernando Martinez.

Thank you for your contributions to the MBE Scholarship Fund!