New York, New York – June 9th, 2014 – On June 18th, 2014 The National Minority Business Council, Inc. at its Forty-Second (42nd) anniversary celebration and awards program which will be held at BNY Mellon’s downtown location and will honor PepsiCo, National Grid and Avis Budget Group for their outstanding corporate diversity programs. The NMBC will also honor two women-owned enterprises: Prism Visual Software, Inc. and Avante Contracting Corporation, Inc. As well as one veteran-owned business: Veterans Sourcing Group. The awards program will be proceeded by a reception for all guests in attendance. The program will begin at 5:30pm and conclude at 8pm – advanced registration is required and can be done by going to nmbc.org/news & events.
The outstanding corporate diversity award for PepsiCo was decided by the NMBC Board of Directors based on its exemplary record of diversity initiatives in the work place, in the communities that it is located around the world and its first class corporate supplier diversity program; which translates into aggressive purchasing of goods and services from women, minority, veterans, disabled and the LGBT community suppliers throughout the United States and its territories. PepsiCo has been a long time supporter of NMBC programs and services and is the corporate founder of the Minority Business Hall of Fame & Museum which is based at the University of Washington/ Foster School of Business in Seattle, WA.
Our other two outstanding corporate diversity awardees are National Grid, a global energy corporation based in Hicksville, New York and the Avis Budget Group based in Parsippany, New Jersey. Both have outstanding corporate diversity programs that support minority business enterprises through the purchase of goods and services throughout the United States. Avis Budget Group and National Grid are both long time supporters of the NMBC’s educational initiative through its executive management program as well its procurement opportunity luncheon series which is conducted on a quarterly basis for its membership. They also have strong work-place diversity programs, which encourages equal opportunity in hiring and promoting within its diverse work force as well as other employee support programs and initiatives.
Our women-owned enterprise awardees are Prism Visual Software, Inc. and Avante Contracting Company, Inc. Prism Visual Software, Inc. provides operational route accounting software systems for route sales and has been a member of the NMBC, Inc. since 1994. They serve clients through their visual software in the following industries: Home care, Food distribution and Water treatment to name a few. It was established in 1988 by Ms. Lorraine Keating who serves as Chief Executive Officer. Our other woman-owned enterprise awardee is Avante Contracting Corporation, Inc. located in Mamaroneck, New York. They are a general contractor that performs services in a multiple range of fields for private and commercial clients. They are certified by the Better Business Bureau, are a lead-safe certified firm by the Environmental Protection Agency and a member of the American Institute of Architects. The Founder & President, Ms. Nancy Lepre is an active member of the NMBC. The Avante Contracting Corporation was established in 2001.
The company that will receive the NMBC’s outstanding veteran-owned business award is Veterans Sourcing Group. A business that was established to assist returning veterans to find employment in large and small companies that have a commitment to diversity and the utilization of returning veterans. Bob Jones is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Veterans Sourcing Group and a recipient of two Purple Hearts in the course of his military service during the Vietnam War.
“The National Minority Business Council is honored to recognize these six awardees on the organization’s 42nd Anniversary year. These companies that we will be honoring on June 18th, 2014 represent the best of the best in their respected industries as corporate citizens, women-owned business enterprises or a notable veteran-owned business led by a distinguished war hero,” stated John F. Robinson President & CEO of the NMBC, Inc. Mr. Benjamin E. Jones, NMBC Board Chairman stated, “The companies being saluted on June 18th, at the NMBC’s 42nd Anniversary celebration exemplifies for what the NMBC has been all about for the last forty-two years; providing quality business services that have helped our member companies grow and expand their businesses to levels of success beyond their dreams.”
For further information about the NMBC, please visit our website at nmbc.org.
