Mercedes-Benz Financial Services announces new leadership appointments
FARMINGTON HILLS, Michigan, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC is pleased to announce that Mary Hughes has been appointed Director of Human Resources and Administrative Services, overseeing Human Resources strategy and operations for the company’s Americas Region, which includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. In addition, Bobbye Sweat joins Mercedes-Benz Financial Services as the Diversity and Inclusion Manager, a newly created role supporting the company’s U.S. Operations.
Hughes is a member of the company’s regional executive team and the human resources global leadership team. Previously, she was a Senior Manager of Human Resources, responsible for human resources operations at all Americas region-based locations.
Hughes joined the company in 1998 as a Strategic Business Analyst. She has held several positions of leadership during her career, including: Senior Manager of Brand Controlling; Senior Manager of Business Integration and Excellence; Senior Manager of Client Services and Senior Manager of Operations in Canada. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics from Lake Superior State University in Sault Sainte Marie, Mich.
“Having served in leadership roles in many core functions within our business, Mary brings a deep understanding of our organization to her new role,” said Peter Zieringer, President and CEO. “With her depth of experience and strategic mindset, I am confident that she will do an outstanding job leading the human resources strategy for the Americas Region.”
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Sweat, a native of Dallas, brings eight years of diversity and inclusion leadership experience to Mercedes-Benz Financial Services. In her previous role, she was the Senior Manager of Diversity and Inclusion with J.C. Penney Co. Prior to that, she was the Associate Director of Diversity and Inclusion with AT&T Inc. Sweat holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas in Pine Bluff, Ark. and a Master of Business Administration from City University in Washington in Seattle. She is also a Certified Diversity Professional, earning her certificate from DTUI.com in California.
“Cultivating a culture of empowerment and inclusion is one of our core values and has been a long-time focus for our company,” added Zieringer. “Bobbye brings a wealth of experience to this new role, which will enable us to further expand our strategic focus on diversity and inclusion to continue to enhance our workplace, attract and retain top talent, and leverage broad perspectives to best serve the needs of our diverse dealer and customer base.”
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About Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA LLC, headquartered in Farmington Hills, Michigan, with Business Center Operations in Fort Worth, Texas, provides brand specific financial products and services for MercedesBenz and smart automotive dealers and their retail customers. In the U.S. trucking industry, it conducts business as Daimler Truck Financial and provides flexible financial products and services for Daimler Trucks North America commercial vehicles branded Freightliner, Western Star, Thomas Built Bus and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, Inc. MercedesBenz Financial Services USA LLC serves as the headquarters for operations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Argentina and Brazil, and has approximately 1,800 employees throughout the Americas. It is a company of the Daimler Financial Services Group, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, which does business in 40 countries and has an employee base of approximately 8,800 people worldwide. Daimler Financial Services is one of the leading financial services organizations worldwide and was named one of the 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces by the Great Place To Work Institute in 2014. Mercedes-Benz Financial Services USA was also named one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Millennials by Great Place to Work and Fortune.com in 2015. For more information, please visit www.mbfs.com/corp or facebook.com/mymbfs. For more information about Daimler Truck Financial, log onto www.daimler-truckfinancial.com.
National Association Of Minority Automobile Dealers And IHS Automotive Redefine The Power Of Multicultural Automotive Buyers With The Diversity Volume Leadership Awards
DETROIT, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — As Martin Luther King Jr. Day was recently recognized and the country educates and celebrates his great dream of a vibrant and united multicultural nation, a first ever Diversity Volume Leadership Awards ceremony showed the tremendous impact that ethnic car buyers have on the economy and brought awareness to the lack of diversity that still remains present in the automotive industry.
“30% of new vehicle purchases are made by multicultural consumers but only 6% of dealerships are minority owned,” said NAMAD President, Damon Lester. “That means 18,000 dealerships exist in the USA and 1,100 are minority owned.”
With ethnic car buyers growing at rapid rates, the dealer body is still lacking accurate representation from minorities. The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD) and IHS Automotive, partnered to celebrate brands that are driving sales leadership with ethnic consumers while also addressing and educating the industry about the necessity of dealer ownership increasing to reflect a diverse population during the Diversity Volume Leadership Awards (DVL Awards) on January 10, 2016 in Cobo Center. The private ceremony was hosted by Dariany Santana and brought together over 200 of the top automotive executives including Perry Watson, Chairman at NAMAD, Drew Slaven, Chief Marketing Officer at Mercedes-Benz, Marc Burt, Assistant Vice President of Inclusion & Diversity at Honda, and Bill Faye, Group Vice President and General Manager at Toyota.
Winners of the prestigious DVL Awards demonstrated the highest new vehicle registrations with ethnic, women, and millennial consumers. This year’s awards were based on an analysis of more than 13 million personal new vehicle registrations.
“Minorities are changing the course of events in the automotive industry,” said Watson. “This is the first of many initiatives to inform ethnic consumers which automotive brands are helping and which are not.”
This year, National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers and IHS Automotive honored Toyota Motor Sales with the “Top Overall Ethnic Vehicle” DVL Award. “Top Overall Ethnic Vehicle” is the most sought-after Diversity Volume Leadership honor for automotive brands dedicated to driving sales leadership with Asian, Native American, Hispanic and African American car buyers. Toyota also took home 10 of 20 DVL Awards earned that night. It is not by coincidence that Toyota’s sales leadership with ethnic consumers is also reflected in the amount of minority owned Toyota dealerships that exist. Bill Faye, Group Vice President and General Manager at Toyota, Alva Mason, Diversity Strategy, Corporate Communications at Toyota and Jim Colon, Vice President of African American Business Strategy at Toyota were present to accept their awards.
NAMAD and IHS Automotive also presented awards for sales leadership in the following categories: Ethnic Volume Leaders by IHS Automotive Regions, Volume Leaders with Millennials and Women, and Volume Leaders by Ethnic Consumer Group.
“What if the automotive industry kept up with ethnic growth?’ said Bland. “There would be an incremental value of $20 billion.”
The best automotive brands that have dedicated marketing resources to ethnic consumers and are focused on capitalizing on the rapid growth of the industry were in attendance to collect their awards. It is important to note that several of the nominees that did not receive awards were still extremely competitive contenders. Those who did not receive an award now have the insight and motivation to develop an improved strategy for 2017.
Winners of the 2016 Diversity Volume Leadership Awards are as follows:
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Ethnic Volume Leaders by IHS Automotive Regions |
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Great Lakes Region |
Chevrolet Equinox |
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Mideast Region |
Honda Accord |
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New England Region |
Toyota RAV4 |
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Plains Region |
Toyota RAV4 |
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Rocky Mountain Region |
RAM Ram |
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Southeast Region |
Toyota Corolla |
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Southwest Region |
Chevrolet Silverado |
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Western Region |
Honda Civic |
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Volume Leaders – Millennials and Women |
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Top Women’s Vehicle |
Honda CR-V |
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Top Women’s Luxury Vehicle |
Lexus RX |
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Top Ethnic Millennial Vehicle |
Honda Accord |
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Volume Leaders by Ethnic Consumer Group |
|
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Top Vehicle – African American |
Toyota Camry |
|
Top Vehicle – Hispanic |
Toyota Corolla |
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Top Vehicle – Asian Pacific Islander |
Toyota Camry |
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Top Vehicle – Native American |
Chevrolet Silverado |
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Top Luxury Vehicle – African American |
Mercedes-Benz C-Class |
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Top Luxury Vehicle – Hispanic |
Lexus IS |
|
Top Luxury Vehicle – Asian Pacific Islander |
Lexus RX |
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Top Luxury Vehicle – Native American |
Buick Verano |
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Top Overall Ethnic Vehicle (Luxury or Non-Luxury) |
Toyota Corolla |
The Diversity Volume Leadership Awards would not be possible without the generous sponsorship from the following organizations:
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CORPORATE SPONSORS |
EVENT SPONSORS |
MEDIA SPONSORS |
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Cox Automotive |
American Honda |
Black Enterprise |
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Ford Motor Company |
BMW/Mini of North America |
Latino Magazine |
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General Motors |
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles |
|
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Nissan |
Hyundai Motor Company |
|
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Toyota Motor Sales |
Kia Motors America |
|
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Volkswagen Group of America |
Mercedes-Benz, LLC |
Connect with DVL Awards:
Hashtag: #DVLawards and #DVLawards2016
Website: www.namad.org and www.ihs.com/automotive
Twitter: twitter.com/NAMAD_USA
Facebook: facebook.com/NAMAD_USA-468806139894019
About The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers
The National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers’ (NAMAD) objective is to pursue the meaningful presence and participation of minority businesses and diverse employees across all aspects of the automotive economic sector, including:
- Increasing the number of minority-owned dealerships in communities across America.
- Advocating workplace and supplier diversity in the automotive manufacturing environment.
- Supporting minority engagement in the automotive retail sales and service sectors.
We are committed to developing strategic relationships and advocating for the advancement of business policies and practices that ensure diversity and economic parity remain a priority in all aspects of the American automotive industry.
NAMAD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in the Washington, D.C. area. For information on National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers visit: www.namad.org
Cold Weather Won’t Keep Lice Away, but Vamousse® Can Help Your Family Stay Lice-Free
MORRISVILLE, North Carolina, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Chilly winter weather sends everyone looking for ways to stay warm, from bundling up in hats and scarves to cuddling up with loved ones. Unfortunately, while you and your family are seeking warmth from the cold, head lice are also seeking warmth on your hair and scalp.
In households that have been fortunate enough to avoid a lice outbreak so far this year, parents are breathing a sigh of relief. Lice are only spread around summer camp and back-to-school time, right? Unfortunately, this is a common misconception. The truth is that children and families are just as likely to be exposed to head lice in the winter months as they are during summertime, particularly because winter is a time when kids share hats and scarves and spend more time playing indoors in close proximity to each other. Any instance of head-to-head contact is an opportunity for lice to spread, and lice aren’t any less persistent when temperatures drop.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it’s estimated that as many as 12 million children get lice each year, with infestation being most common among pre-school children attending child care, elementary school children and the household members of infested children1. Recently, lice infestations have become more difficult to eliminate for some families due in part to the development of super lice, strains of pesticide-resistant head lice. Head lice sampled in 12 states across the U.S. identified a percentage in each state carrying a gene mutation making them resistant to traditional pesticide-based active ingredients². In some cases, the frequency of this mutation was as high as 100%. News about this resistance has left parents wondering what their options are for treatment.
“Parents should be aware of new options such as Vamousse Lice Treatment, that works to kill both lice and eggs in one treatment without the use of pesticides,” says Jason Schmidt, an entomologist and Director of Research and Development for TyraTech, a North Carolina life sciences company specializing in non-toxic insect and parasite solutions. “Vamousse offers a full range of pesticide-free solutions for treating and defending against head lice, making it a great choice for families.” Schmidt also recommends following these simple tips to help keep your household lice-free all winter long:
- Head checks – Conduct regular checks of your child’s hair using a fine-toothed comb. Lice live within one inch of the scalp, laying eggs that look like grains of sand adhered to the hair shaft.
- Avoid head-to-head contact during play – Hard to do, but especially important if head lice has already been detected among classmates or friends. Keeping long hair pulled back can help.
- Don’t share – Encourage children not to share hats, scarves, combs or other items that come in contact with hair. Don’t worry too much, though, as head-to-head contact is the primary mode of transmitting lice.
If your family is exposed to head lice, don’t panic. Non-toxic, pesticide-free Vamousse Lice Treatment is available over-the-counter and is clinically proven to kill lice and their eggs in one treatment. It uses the active ingredient Natrum Muriaticum to dehydrate lice, even super lice, and nits.
Remember, if one person in your home contracts head lice, your entire family is at risk. Defend against the growth of an infestation with a non-toxic daily lice shampoo like Vamousse Lice Defense, which is recommended for use during high-risk periods and for 10 to 14 days after potential exposure. It is pesticide-free and safe enough for use by the entire family, including children as young as two.
Vamousse Lice Treatment (MSRP $24.99) is available nationwide at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Kmart, and in some regional chains, including Harris Teeter and HEB, and online at Walmart.com, CVS.com, Walgreens.com, Amazon.com and Drugstore.com. Vamousse Lice Defense Shampoo (MSRP $12.99) is available nationwide at Walmart and in some regional chains, including Harris Teeter, and online at Walgreens.com, Amazon.com, Drugstore.com and Walmart.com.
Additional information and resources can be found at www.vamousselice.com.
About TyraTech
Established in 2004, TyraTech, Inc. (AIM: TYR and TYRU) is a life sciences company focusing on nature-derived insect and parasite control products that are as effective as traditional chemical options while providing a new level of safety for people, animals and the environment. TyraTech’s Nature’s Technology® leverages its patented scientific platform to provide a full range of biocides, head lice and insect repellent solutions, including Vamousse Lice Treatment and Vamousse Lice Defense.
1 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015) Head Lice – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/lice/head/gen_info/faqs.html
² Yoon et al. (2014) Knockdown resistance allele frequencies in North American head louse (Anoplura: Pediculidae) populations. J. Med. Entomol. 51.
Contact: Chris Shigas
(919) 308-1816
Repair Damaged Hair with the Latest Dove Advanced Hair Series Solution
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, New Jersey, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — For many women, the quest for beautiful hair comes with damaging processes – whether by coloring, bleaching, chemical straightening or everyday styling. While these transformations can help her feel her most beautiful, they do come at a price– the healthy look of her hair. In fact, 76% of women in the U.S. have damaged hair, and 10% have extremely damaged hair.[i]
Photo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160119/323558
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Dove Regenerative Nourishment, the latest addition to the Dove Advanced Hair Series collection, uses a unique combination of technologies and ingredients to replenish lost nutrients while restoring smoothness and strength. Drawing inspiration from nature, the system is infused with Red Algae extract + Keratin NutriComplex, and repairs the internal structure of damaged hair by directly interacting with the keratin, reconstructing and strengthening hair from within. The three-part system, which includes Dove Regenerative Nourishment Shampoo, Dove Regenerative Nourishment Conditioner and Dove Regenerative Nourishment Serum-in-Oil leaves hair perfectly nourished and 100% visibly damage free.
“Fear of damage can hold women back from making the hair choices they want,” says Dove Celebrity Stylist, Mark Townsend. “With the new Dove Regenerative Nourishment system, distressed hair is completely transformed, making it look and feel as strong and smooth as undamaged hair, letting you be in total control over your style choices.”
Dove Regenerative Nourishment products will be available for purchase in mass, food and drug retailers nationwide beginning January 2016.
For more information, please visit www.Dove.com, or find us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
About Dove® Hair
Dove Hair offers a wide range of solutions that provide deep nourishment and repair to meet women’s specific hair needs, whether it is dry, frizzy, in need of volume or damaged. The range includes shampoo, conditioners, treatments and styling products.
About Unilever United States, Inc.
Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Food, Refreshments, Home and Personal Care products with sales in more than 190 countries. In the United States, the portfolio includes brand icons such as: Axe, Ben & Jerry’s, Breyers, Caress, Clear Scalp & Hair Therapy, Country Crock, Degree, Dove personal care products, Fruttare, Good Humor, Hellmann’s, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, Klondike, Knorr, Lever 2000, Lipton, Magnum, Nexxus, Noxzema, Pond’s, Popsicle, Promise, Q-tips, Simple, St. Ives, Suave, Talenti Gelato & Sorbetto, TIGI, TONI&GUY Hair Meet Wardrobe, TRESemmé and Vaseline. All of the preceding brand names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the Unilever Group of Companies.
Unilever employs approximately 8,000 people in the United States – generating approximately $8.5 billion in sales in 2014.
The Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP) aims to double the size of Unilever’s business, while reducing its overall environmental footprint and increasing positive social impact. The USLP is a strategic response to the challenges businesses face operating in an uncertain and volatile world. See more on the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan at http://www.unileverusa.com/sustainable-living/.
Unilever ranked number one in its sector on the 2015 Dow Jones Sustainability Index.
The entire Unilever global factory network, as well as its U.S. non-manufacturing facilities, have achieved zero non-hazardous waste to landfill status.
For more information on Unilever U.S. and its brands visit: www.unileverusa.com
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Facebook visit: www.facebook.com/unileverusa
To connect with Unilever U.S. via Twitter follow: @unileverusa
[i] Core 14 Deeper in Damage Research Report – Feb 2014
Contact:
Sarah Long / Edelman
212-279-2170
[email protected]
Bloomberg Philanthropies Launches 2016 Mayors Challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean
NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Michael R. Bloomberg today launched Bloomberg Philanthropies’ 2016 Mayors Challenge, a competition to inspire Latin American and Caribbean cities to develop bold new ideas that solve major problems and improve city life – and that ultimately can be shared with other cities. The competition includes a $5 million USD grand prize and four $1 million awards to four other cities that generate powerful ideas. The competition is one of the foundation’s flagship programs, reaching hundreds of cities in the U.S. and Europe.
“Cities around the world are pursuing bold policy innovations, and those in Latin America and the Caribbean are helping to lead the way. Expanding the Mayors Challenge to Latin America and the Caribbean provides new opportunities for progress on a wide range of issues that impact the lives of citizens. We’re looking forward to seeing what exciting new ideas emerge from creative city leaders throughout the region,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and three-term Mayor of New York City.
Cities with 100,000 or more residents in Latin America and the Caribbean are invited to compete in this year’s competition. More than 900 cities are eligible within the following countries – Argentina; Bolivia; Brazil; Chile; Colombia; Costa Rica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Guyana; Haiti; Honduras; Jamaica; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Uruguay; Suriname; and Venezuela.
All cities competing in the 2016 Mayors Challenge must submit ideas that do one or more of the following:
- Address a major social or economic issue in the local area
- Improve customer service for citizens or businesses
- Create government efficiencies
- Improve citizen engagement in local government
Winners will be selected based on their idea’s vision, potential for impact, implementation plan, and potential to spread to other cities. By design, the Mayors Challenge prompts participating cities to leverage resources, talent, and creativity from residents and from other sectors.
Key moments in the 2016 Mayors Challenge for those interested in participating include:
- By March 15, 2016, all cities must sign up for the competition at mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org
- By April 15, 2016, all cities must submit their ideas
- In late spring 2016, approximately 20 finalists will be announced
- In July 2016, teams from the finalist cities will attend Ideas Camp, a two-day gathering where finalist cities work with experts to stretch and strengthen their ideas
- In fall 2016, the five winning cities will be announced
Bloomberg Philanthropies will be supported by a selection committee of innovation and urban policy experts, largely from Latin America and the Caribbean, to help select the winning cities. The selection committee will be announced in the coming months.
All Mayors Challenge winners receive robust assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropies and its partners to support implementation and document lessons learned. Bloomberg Philanthropies has proudly partnered with the Centre for Public Impact (CPI) to implement this year’s challenge, provide related supports to city participants, and oversee coordination with other program partners. CPI is a not-for-profit, funded by The Boston Consulting Group, and dedicated to improving the positive impact of governments.
Facts on Prior Mayors Challenge Competitions
The Mayors Challenge is designed to surface bold new solutions, enable cities to test the best of these ideas, and help those ideas that work spread. To date, 465 U.S. and European cities have participated in the competitions. Highlights include:
- Providence Talks, the grand prize winner from the U.S. Mayors Challenge, aims to address the fact that low-income children hear millions fewer words than their peers from wealthier families by the time they reach kindergarten, negatively impacting future educational attainment. That program’s pilot showed promising results in increasing the number of words heard by program participants. Providence Mayor Elorza is aggressively ramping up the program to reach thousands of children.
- Santa Monica, a winner from the U.S. Mayors Challenge, successfully became the first city in the United States to conduct a wellbeing survey in early 2015. City officials are now using these data to align resources, programs, and policies to improve the health and wellbeing of residents. The survey will be conducted once every two years moving forward.
- Athens, Greece, a winner from the European Mayors Challenge, has established a robust program to unleash the power of civil society to solve community problems, and to reform outdated regulations that make it difficult for citizens to contribute. Over a thousand community activities have been promoted through the program.
- Barcelona, the grand prize winner from the European Mayors Challenge, aims to coordinate the activities of family members, neighbors, volunteers, and professional care givers around individual at-risk seniors to reduce isolation. The city has prototyped the technological platform and collected significant end-user feedback. An expanded pilot will take place in 2016 as they move toward their ultimate goal of reaching 20,000 seniors.
- Seven finalists from the European competition that did not receive funding are nonetheless pursuing their ideas: Amsterdam, Brno, Bologna, Bristol, Lisbon, York, and Stara Zagora. Three of the finalists from the U.S. competition that did not receive funding implemented their ideas: Milwaukee, WI; Cincinnati, OH; and Highpoint, NC, while five other finalists continue to pursue the concepts.
- Winners from the U.S. and European competitions have received over 300 requests for information related to replication from other cities, universities, and civil society organizations.
Bloomberg Philanthropies has a strong history of work in the Latin America and the Caribbean region. In 2015, the foundation launched its Data for Health program in Latin America which will enable countries to vastly improve their public health data collection and use. Cities in Brazil and Colombia are participating in a new phase of Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Road Safety Initiative, and the foundation is also assisting the region through its Vibrant Oceans Initiative, the largest philanthropic commitment to internationally reform fisheries management.
To learn more about the Mayors Challenge, visit mayorschallenge.bloomberg.org and @BloombergCities on Twitter and Instagram.
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies works in over 120 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s charitable activities, including his foundation and his personal giving. In 2015, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed over half a billion dollars. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat: Bloombergdotorg and Twitter @BloombergDotOrg.
Media Contact
Bloomberg Philanthropies, Rebecca Carriero, (212) 205-0182, [email protected]
Statement by Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, President, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC)/CONEL Regarding the SCOTUS Decision to Hear the Case Involving President Obama’s Executive Actions on Immigration
SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — “God created every human being in His image. Every person has dignity. As so many try to use this case for political ends, we must look with compassion upon the families whose lives and futures are at stake. With certainty regarding these programs, we can move forward side by side.
“However the court rules, Congress has the ultimate responsibility to provide the greatest certainty, in the form of an immigration process that respects individuals and families, strengthens the rule of law, builds our economy and makes us safer.”
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NHCLC/CONEL is the world’s largest Hispanic Christian organization. It serves as a representative voice for the more than 100 million Hispanic Evangelicals assembled in over 40,000 U.S. churches and another 500,000 congregations spread throughout the Spanish-speaking diaspora. For additional information, visit http://www.nhclc.org.
The Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (SFMSDC) Changes Name to Reflect Expanded Service Area of the Entire State of Florida
MIAMI, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (SFMSDC), a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing access and growth for minority businesses in Florida, announced today that it is changing its name to Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) to reflect an expanded service area that now includes Central and Northern Florida. The Council is led by Beatrice Louissaint, whose role as SFMSDC CEO and president has expanded to cover the entire state as CEO and president of the FSMSDC. The organization is set to roll out a variety of new services and programs to its corporate members and MBEs statewide. FSMSDC, an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (NMSDC), will be headquartered in Miami with regional offices and staff in Orlando, Tampa and Tallahassee.
“NMSDC remains committed to providing the highest level of service to its members and certified MBEs in central and north Florida. We have every confidence in Beatrice Louissaint’s leadership and her team’s ability to serve the complex needs of the state of Florida,” said NMSDC President Joset Wright-Lacy. “Under the leadership and vision of Ms. Louissaint, we will continue to foment new opportunities for members and implement next-level programs to develop and accelerate Florida businesses.”
Since its founding in 1975, SFMSDC’s mission has been to increase purchasing from Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) by corporations and government entities, while increasing MBEs’ operating capacity through hands-on business assistance, training and access to technology and capital resources. The newly formed FSMSDC will maintain the same core values with the aim of serving a larger number of MBEs—now an estimated 918. The organization will expand the services and programs it provides, such as the Technical Assistance Program (TAP), which offers certified MBEs unprecedented access to much-needed technical and professional services in the legal, marketing and finance areas; the Partners in Business Progress Mentor Protégé Program, in which a major corporation or large MBE works one-on-one with a certified minority-owned business for a specified period of time; loan programs and many others. All of these programs will now be offered statewide with the support of a greater number of stakeholders, national corporate members, local members and top Florida businesses.
“The new name, Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council, communicates that we are now one state, one council, with a mission that extends throughout Florida—to link corporations and government agencies with MBEs in order to foster business development and expansion,” said Beatrice Louissaint, president & CEO of the FSMSDC. “We are thrilled to be able to offer broader products and services across the state, which will not only help MBEs become certified, but will also propel their success and connect them to customers that will increase their profitability.”
More information on the new FSMSDC structure, staffing and service offerings is forthcoming; however, current corporate members and MBEs should not experience any delays or reduction in service during the transition. A transition advisory committee has been established and is chaired by April Harley of Duke Energy, with corporate and MBE representation from the entire state of Florida. The committee’s main role is to guide a smooth transition during the next few months. In addition, committee members will be integrally involved in providing recommendations on the statewide staffing model, new programs and services, board governance and marketing and engaging community stakeholders in the expanded areas.
The Council is currently in the process of updating its branding with new logos, website, e-mail addresses and more – which will be rolled out in the coming weeks. For additional information, please visit www.sfmsdc.org. To access the online media kit please visit https://goo.gl/BABl4P.
ABOUT FSMSDC
The Florida State Minority Supplier Development Council (FSMSDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing access and growth for minority businesses in Florida. The organization’s goal is to increase purchasing from minority businesses by government entities and corporations, while increasing MBEs’ operating capacity through hands-on business assistance, training and access to technology and capital resources. Founded in 1975 in Southern Florida (formerly named the Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council—SFMSDC) and expanded to cover all of Florida in 2016, it is one of 23 regional councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The FSMSDC acts as a liaison between corporate America and Minority Business Enterprises in the state of Florida.
ABOUT NMSDC
The National Minority Supplier Development Council—(NMSDC)—is the global leader in advancing business opportunities for its certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises and connecting them to member corporations. NMSDC was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. The NMSDC network includes a national office in New York and regional councils across the country. There are 1,700 corporate members throughout the network, including most of America’s largest publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned companies, as well as universities, hospitals and other buying institutions. The regional councils certify and match more than 12,000 minority-owned businesses with member corporations that want to purchase their products, services and solutions.
Fabian Is Not A Marley
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — A series of DNA tests prove definitively that the man who calls himself Fabian “Marley” is without question not related to Bob Marley. Instead, the tests demonstrate conclusively that Fabian is the natural born son of Othneil Stanford.
“The DNA tests show with scientific certainty that Fabian Marley is not the half-brother of either Rohan Marley, Stephen Marley or Robert N. Marley. In addition, similar DNA tests show the probability of Fabian Marley being the son of Othneil Stanford is 99.99%,” said Dr. Karl A. Reich, Scientific Director of Independent Forensics DNA Testing & Technologies. Independent Forensics is a fully accredited and well renowned DNA testing laboratory in Illinois.
The Marley family has repeatedly maintained that Fabian was an imposter who only asserted his familial relationship to Bob Marley in order to advance his music career. But for years Fabian had refused to undertake a DNA test with an accredited forensics laboratory. His most recent manager, Clayton Thomas, finally convinced Fabian to undergo the DNA test in October 2015 at an accredited DNA laboratory, and the results unequivocally demonstrate that Fabian cannot be the son of Bob Marley.
Fabian’s mother, Ms. Raphie Munroe, said about her son, “This is crazy talk. I never in my life told my son that Bob Marley was his father. I don’t know how he came up with this, but it is not true. It never happened. I don’t know where he got this from, but no one in the family ever said this even once.”
Fabian’s eldest sister, Sandra Stanford Walker, confirmed, “Something is wrong with him, this is not normal behavior. Everyone knows he is not a Marley. His family, his friends, everyone in our community knows he is not Bob Marley’s son. Fabian is troubled and we want to put an end to his lies.”
A spokesperson for the Marley family stated, “The Marley family is pleased to finally have this matter behind us. We have said repeatedly that this man who calls himself Fabian is not the son of Bob Marley. The tests now prove we were correct. We hope he can finally accept the truth of his own true heritage.”
Fifty-Six Hope Road Music, Ltd., is the company founded by Bob Marley’s wife and children and the legal entity holding the trademark, publicity, persona and other intellectual property rights to legendary reggae artist Bob Marley.
Contact: Lonnie Soury, Soury Communications, Inc. (212) 414.5857, [email protected]