HOWARD COUNTY RECOGNIZED EIGHT BUSINESS STARS AT ITS 16TH ANNUAL CBED BUSINESS RECOGNITION PROGRAM
Keynote Speaker Emphasized the Compelling Reasons for Diversity in the Workplace
COLUMBIA, MD (April 22, 2010) – Howard County recognized outstanding business leaders and awarded two entrepreneurial scholarships on Tuesday, April 20, at its 16th Annual Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED) Business Recognition Program and Breakfast Gala held at the Sheraton Columbia.
“Congratulations to all the 2010 award winners and nominees. Individuals and businesses like those being honored here this morning continue to position Howard County as a local and regional economic leader,” said Howard County Executive Ken Ulman. “Howard County benefits both culturally and economically from the strength of its diverse population and continues to be a leader in providing the resources to ensure all citizens reach their fullest potential for business success.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Shirley Davis, Director, Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives, Society for Human Resource Management, presented The Business Case: Why Diversity and Inclusion are Good for Business. Davis spoke about the changing demographics of the workforce and consumer marketplace, emphasizing that the new demographics present compelling reasons to focus on diversity. However, diversity alone is not effective, but must provide inclusion—getting the mix to work well together.
“Well managed, diversity and inclusion contribute to an organization’s bottom line and competitive advantage,” said Davis. “Diversity is something we are forced to do by law. Diversity is the right thing to do for our people. And, diversity is the smart thing to do for our business.”
As the nation prepares to celebrate Small Business Week, May 23-25, 2010 the CBED Business Recognition Program hosted by the Howard County Economic Development Authority honored:
Business Achievement
Project Masters - April Wennerberg
Founded in 1996 by April Wennerberg and headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, Project Masters is a premier provider of project and program management-related training and consulting services. As a PMI Registered Educational Service Provider, it specializes in creating and delivering tailored on-site client training for all levels of maturity and expertise. Project Masters’ clients include the federal government and its service providers, and commercial organizations, both for-profit and non-profit. As such, its cadre of “cleared” personnel is able to focus on federal programs while also focusing on specialized programs for the commercial sector.
Lily’s Mexican Market - Julio and Lily Soto
Co-owned and operated by Julio Soto and his wife Lily, Lily’s Mexican Market at Dobbin Center provides a wonderful selection of Mexican and Salvadoran goods. In addition, it offers exceptional service that even dictates that customer inquiries are answered in English and Spanish. The success of Lily’s Mexican Market has led to a large and loyal client base. In fact, the popularity of the market caused the Sotos to expand and double its size. Setting a new standard for ethnic markets in the Baltimore-Washington region, the market’s success prompted Julio to start a new venture called Azul 17 - Mexican Cuisine and Tequila Lounge.
Waldon Studio Architects and Planners - Ravi Waldon
Formed by Ravi Waldon with the foundational belief that the art of building is about designing creative spaces people use, Waldon Studio Architects and Planners develops buildings from collaborative experience with the client that results in a facility that reflects the owner’s goals and ideals. The firm is successful because of its commitment to listening and understanding its clients. The firm’s senior architects and enthusiastic staff have over 100 years experience providing a full range of architectural services. Waldon Studio’s focus is on quality, which has resulted in working in 16 states. Its clients include numerous religious, educational, governmental, and private institutions.
Individual Achievement
Michael Mobley
As executive director, Michael Mobley, is the dedicated backbone of j-ref, a private, not-for-profit funding source for Howard County start-up and emerging businesses. Committed to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit in Howard County, he has created jobs by providing risk-oriented financing for businesses unable to receive financing from traditional sources. Mobley has created a wide-range of support for the program through partnering with governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the finance and business communities. Since j-ref’s founding in 1992, it has provided nearly $6 million in loans to 65 businesses and created 500 new jobs in Howard County through his leadership. In 2009, Mobley was recognized as the Maryland Small Business Journalist of the Year by the Maryland Small Business Administration for his contribution as a columnist for The Business Monthly’s Entrepreneur Quarterly and for his work as the host of “Down to Business.”
Business Diversity Achievement
RISE: Reach Independence through Self Employment
RISE, Reach Independence through Self-Employment, transforms the dream of self-employment into a reality. Launched in 1997, this initiative of the Maryland State Department of Education’s Division of Rehabilitative Services (DORS) ensures the business ownership as a vocational option to eligible individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. RISE helps participating Howard County residents to explore the feasibility of self employment, develop a comprehensive business plan for their proposed business start or expansion, receive training and individualized technical assistance, and explore available resources. Over 1,000 RISE program participants have taken part in the exploration and pursuit of business ownership resulting in scores of successful new ventures throughout the state. In Howard County, these successful ventures include child care, food service and catering, consulting, gardening supplies, and a candy store.
The Pinder Group
Sharon Pinder, CEO of The Pinder Group, and founder of the Center for Business Inclusion and Diversity, is nationally recognized as an effective change agent. Sharon’s vision, proven leadership, energy and commitment to her work has given her the unique skills for The Pinder Group’s many clients including well known Fortune 500 corporations. As Maryland’s first Special Secretary for the Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs, she was able to help transform the agency to a model of advocacy and a primary driver in the State’s effort to reserve a portion of its procurement budget for minority and women vendors. During her tenure, she was able to successfully introduce many new laws and programs that eliminated obstacles and provided new opportunities for the 350,000 Maryland businesses.
Howard County General Hospital Rising Business Star Scholarship
Quincy Beckley – Centennial High School
As a participant in the “Taking Innovation to Market” program at Howard Community College, Quincy Beckley was teamed with students from the Howard County Public School System Academy of Finance. Quincy’s team was tasked to create an imaginary company to market a real product that had been created at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. The product was a macular degeneration device, run by a computer generated algorithm that would detect age-related macular degeneration based on a certain pattern in the macula of the eye. The panel of judges awarded first place to Quincy’s company, Retina DocTM based on presentation skills, depth of research, and the overall likelihood of the marketing plan to succeed. Quincy plans to attend Salisbury State University and major in accounting and financial Planning.
Earl H. Saunders Entrepreneurial Scholarship
Micah Miles - Atholton High School
Following the devastating earthquake in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, Micah Miles and her teen group of the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America started a fundraising venture to show Haiti that they cared. Micah volunteered at several school functions. She also attended the Jack and Jill Eastern Region Teen Conference where she sold bracelets to raise money and to create an awareness for the work that needed to be done in Haiti. In just a few short weeks Micah had collected $400 for the Haitian Relief, all of which was donated to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders. In order to show the wide range of concern, Micah photographed and shared the images of contributors holding signs written in either English or French that read, “Haiti We Care.” Micah plans to attend either Ohio State University or the University of Maryland and major in Veterinary Science.
About the Committee for Business and Economic Diversity: Businesses owned by minorities, women and individuals with disabilities constitute a vital and thriving segment of Howard County's economy. Through the Committee for Business and Economic Diversity (CBED), the Business Resource Center, and in conjunction with its economic development partners, the Economic Development Authority recognizes, encourages and promotes economic diversity and equal business opportunity for minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Howard County Committee for Business and Economic Diversity, please visit www.hceda.org/thecenter/cbed.aspx.
Howard County Economic Development Authority is a public-private partnership whose primary goal is to promote economic growth and stability by supporting existing businesses, targeting new businesses, attracting corporate/regional headquarters and maintaining programs aimed at the needs of businesses owned by minorities, women and individuals with disabilities. For more information about the Authority, please visit www.hceda.org.
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