Site Notes:
NEW VMSDC Web Portal to Launch Soon!
Portions of Website Down

The VMSDC long-awaited Web Portal is scheduled for launch soon. In order to successfully manage the data and content movement, the VMSDC site will be under major construction during the summer. While most of the site will be down, we will continue to have critical pages available so that "visitors" and network members and certified MBEs will continue to have access to the site. We look forward to our new site with value-added options for online certification, online registration/e-commerce, data-sharing, online networking/e-learning.

News Spotlight:
Western Region

Tracey Jeter

This month, as you'll see from our articles, VMSDC wants you to appreciate the wealth of resources in Virginia's illustrious Western Region.

That area, known for its breathtaking scenery, educational opportunities, health care operations, stellar corporations and talented entrepreneurs, is headed by the vice chairman of VMSDC's board Stephen Humphrey of Volvo Trucks North America. His establishment of the Western Region Advisory Committee, which he commissioned and coined, has provided invaluable exposure for our efforts and services.

In this area, VMSDC has enjoyed major growth in our membership and support for our programs. Recently we've added to our strong base of universities in the area, with participation from the University of Virginia, James Madison University, Virginia Tech and Virginia Military Institute. With Volvo as our stalwart along with active participation from Johnson Controls, we've created a dream team in the mountains. Joining the Western squad recently has been MeadWestvaco.

We thank you for support of our efforts in the Western Region and throughout Virginia.

Latest News:
Roanoke's new city manager touts area's diversity

Chris Morrill

Shining a spotlight on Roanoke as a good place for business is top of Chris Morrill's priority list. The city's new city manager wants to show people around the Commonwealth and around the world what Roanoke has to offer.

"Many Southern cities this size don't have this level of diversity," said Morrill, who started his new job in March. Roanoke's range of businesses, restaurants, colleges and people from different cultures impresses Morrill. "It makes a difference when you're trying to attract and retain businesses."

"Coming in with fresh eyes gives me the opportunity to see the main asset here is the people," Morrill said of the city located between the Blue Ridge and Virginia Alleghany Highlands in the Western region of Virginia. "We have a deep, wide talent pool here. Also the setting and urban design of Roanoke, with its small, compact downtown and neighborhoods nearby means you can get anywhere in 10 minutes. The backdrop of the mountains makes it easy to get out and hike or mountain bike."

Morrill, who came to Roanoke from Savannah, where he worked for 18 years and ultimately served as assistant city manager. Morrill also spent time working in the Ukraine and South Africa.

"I think it's wonderful for the state to have something like the Council that's so active here. We're so pleased and honored to be able to work with them," Morrill said about the city's partnering with VMSDC. "We're building our minority and women business enterprise program with a strong commitment from Sharon Lewis, Roanoke's purchasing manager."

Connie Smith, chairman of VMSDC's board, said the Western region possesses many gems. "Roanoke is a gleaming example of the economic opportunities available in the area," said Smith, who also heads supplier diversity development at Altria Client Services. "We're pleased to have the full support of Chris Morrill, Sharon Lewis, the city of Roanoke, the corporate community and we look forward to adding further to our network."

"We're following Sharon's lead and the lead of VMSDC to see where we can add the most value," Morrill said of Roanoke's efforts to ensure contracts are awarded to diverse suppliers.

Rubbermaid Commercial Seeks Diverse Suppliers

Rubbermaid Commercial Products Sourcing Team

Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, in an area that bills itself as the "Top of Virginia" Rubbermaid Commercial Products is steadily building its supplier development program and increasing its involvement with VMSDC.

Based in Winchester, Va., Rubbermaid Commercial Products became a VMSDC corporate member in the Western Region of the state about a year ago. The Winchester based operation produces an extensive range of large tonnage plastic products using various manufacturing processes. Manufacturing locations in Pottsville, PA and Cleveland, TN produce textile products and steel refuse products, respectively.

"We're at the beginning stages of our supplier diversity program," said Brooks Levering, sourcing manager for Rubbermaid Commercial Products, which manufactures and markets products for commercial and institutional customers. "We've done a lot in the past year and we've come a long way."

After Rubbermaid's headquarters in Atlanta launched its company-wide supplier diversity initiative, the first step was determining which of its existing suppliers were qualified to pursue certification. "It was very eye opening," Levering said, since the company learned it had far more diverse suppliers than it originally estimated. "We're 90 percent through that process."

With the new initiative, the entire company has placed more focus on seeking and securing diverse suppliers. "We've incorporated supplier diversity into our annual incentives and score cards," Levering said. "This has changed our mindset and focus. We've made this a critical part of the RFQ process. We've been very successful in broadening the bid process and we've seen some good results."

Tracey Jeter, VMSDC's president and chief executive officer, applauds the strides Rubbermaid Commercial Products has made in such a short time. "We stand behind their efforts and we're thrilled the company is being proactive and an active VMSDC member. Their success is a testament to their commitment."

The Winchester operation also joined VMSDC, which has already helped. "The search engines help us identify suppliers," said Phil Koeller, senior sourcing manager in metals commodity for Rubbermaid Commercial Products, which employs 920 people in Winchester. Rubbermaid Commercial Products uses approximately 500 suppliers of direct materials. That number grows when suppliers of indirect commodities are added. About 85 percent of the money the division spends is with its top 60 suppliers. " We have very diverse product line that affords us the opportunity to interact with a significant range of suppliers, " Koeller said.

Koeller encourages minority firms to get certified by VMSDC because of the expanded network opportunities it will provide. "The added exposure you get from an organization such as VMSDC will provide them links to new, potential customers."

Scott Shaw, Vice President Sourcing, has enjoyed working with a couple of core diverse suppliers this year as they pursued and achieved certification. "The involvement with the VMSDC has been instrumental in educating our team members on ways to be proactive in increasing the participation of diverse suppliers within all of our sourcing activities. We look forward to increasing our involvement and participation within the Council."

VMSDC-certified minority business enterprises interested in learning more about potential contracting opportunities available at Rubbermaid Commercial Products, please contact:
Scott Shaw
Vice President Sourcing
Rubbermaid Commercial Products - A Newell Rubbermaid Company
3124 Valley Avenue
Winchester, VA 22601
Direct: 540-542-8877
Fax: 540-542-8435
scott.shaw@rubbermaidcommercial.com

VMSDC MBE alumnus:
Entrepreneurs should keep overhead low

Lo Davis

When Lo Davis stepped out of his role as entrepreneur and into his new role as assistant director of the Virginia Athletics Foundation he did not step away from VMSDC. After almost six years of successfully running Five Star Industrial and Business Supply Co. Davis still thinks like a business owner and wants to share his insight, advice and warnings with minority business enterprises.

Davis, whose company was based in the Charlottesville area, left the world of entrepreneurship during the economic downturn. "I ran into some issues and started to see a turn in my business when I increased my overhead with staffing and new IT," Davis said. "I rolled the dice and it didn't pay off." At the same time, many of Davis' state government customers were forced to cut back. "We went through the budget crisis with them."

Davis, who has been running businesses since 1994, closed up shop last November and returned to the employee ranks in January. "I was not sure how I'd respond to being an employee, but it's been a pretty easy transition."

The biggest difference: "As a business owner, I pulled the trigger," Davis said. "When working for someone else you have to be patient. But it's a great feeling not to be worrying about payroll."

While running his company, Davis found VMSDC to be a great networking vehicle as well as an educational resource. "I know the end goal is obtaining contracts, but VMSDC is bigger than that," said Davis, who now focuses on fundraising for the lacrosse and track and field programs at his alma mater, the University of Virginia. "VMSDC allowed me to build relationships and a very extensive networking base. I learned from listening to other MBEs who were at various stages in their careers. Some were going through it for the second or third time. It's good to hear the successes and failures."

Doing business in the Western part of the state has numerous assets, Davis said. "We have a strong presence on the VMSDC board and a great advocate with Stephen Humphrey at Volvo Trucks North America. We have a lot of opportunities as it relates to the state government in the Western Region and large corporate entities that are being educated on the value of VMSDC. There's a ton of upside here."

Davis offers a list of advice for MBEs:

• Key is building relationships
• Minimize overhead
• Be honest with your clients, negotiate best terms for all parties
• Offer discounts for earlier pay
• Reevaluate your business plan yearly; adjust accordingly
• Keep your eye on marketplace trends
• Don't be afraid to ask for help and advice; colleagues understand!

People are Still Talking About VBOF...
I'm compelled to send a quick note congratulating you on the success of the VBOF. Although I've attended past events, this was the first time as a sponsor and exhibitor. I can confidently say it will not be the last! From the golf tournament to the trade fair, the entire event was a showcase of professionalism, organization, class and substance. Not that you need any validation from me nor was I surprised because your group has always been top notch. It seems nowadays, you know you've done a great job by the lack of complaints as opposed to an abundance of compliments. I embrace the latter approach and wish to compliment each of you on a job so very well done!

P.S. - A special thank you to LaVerne and Sylvia for helping me during my frantic moments.

Kind regards,
Thomas H. Bowles, IV, President and CEO
Key Personnel Inc.
"Recruiting and Staffing Experts"

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