The St. Louis Minority Business Council (SLMBC) and the National Association of Purchasing Managers (NAPM) of St. Louis hosted Ralph G. Moore, CPA, at a joint dinner meeting on Feb. 27. Mr. Moore is President of Ralph G. Moore & Associates (RGMA), a Chicago-based management consulting firm.

More than 56 Council MBEs and corporate members attended the networking session and dinner to hear Mr. Moore discuss “How to Make Supplier Diversity Work for St. Louis.” Mr. Moore joins a distinguished group of speakers who have presented at past joint meetings, including Marilyn Gettinger, President of New Directions Consulting Group; Harriett Michel, President of NMSDC; and Gayle Sayers, President of Sayers 40.

The SLMBC and NAPM have held joint meetings once a year, for the past four years. These meetings give MBEs opportunities to network with NAPM members, purchasing managers, and SLMBC corporate members.

Alliance Meeting with DaimlerChrysler

Jethro Joseph, Senior Manager, Diversity Supplier Development and Robin Hammer, Diversity Supplier Management from DaimlerChrysler presented at the Alliance for Minority Procurement Meeting (AMP) on March 14.

More than 40 corporate members attended the AMP meeting to hear Mr. Joseph’s presentation, “Second Tier Purchasing: The Big Multiplier Effect.” He presented ideas on starting and maintaining corporate diversity purchasing programs, and stressed the need to do business with minority-owned businesses.

Copies of Mr. Joseph’s presentation are available for corporate members who could not attend the meeting. To request your copy, call Barb Gibson of SLMBC at (314) 241-1143.

The Alliance Meeting is held every other month for corporate members and invited MBEs. The next Alliance Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 at Washington University’s West Campus, 7425 Forsyth, Room 2128. Meetings start at 11:30 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. Please call Anjanette Brooks at (314) 241-1143 to reserve your spot (and your lunch) for the next meeting.

This year’s Business Opportunity Fair (BOF) promises to be the best one yet. It will be held on June 12 at:

     The Saint Charles Convention Center
     One Convention Center Plaza
     St. Charles, MO 63303

We will have our annual BOF Reception on June 11 at Maggiano’s Restaurant.

The BOF is one of the Council’s signature events that give MBEs the opportunity to showcase their products and services to more than 100 corporate members, purchasing managers and supplier diversity representatives. Online registration will be available soon. Check the SLMBC Web page, your e-mail, and postal mail for more information on the 2007 BOF.

The Council Bids Farewell to Larry Dill and Valerie Shelton

After five years with the SLMBC, Larry Dill, Director of Development & Finance, has decided to pursue an entrepreneurial venture. Larry has been a valued member of the SLMBC family and has coordinated many of our key initiatives, including corporate membership, UEL loans, and the annual SLMBC Golf Classic.

Valerie Shelton, Corporate Administrator, will be leaving the Council. Valerie was responsible for maintaining the corporate membership list, scheduling meetings, registration at various Council events and some Council communications.

We wish Larry and Val luck and thank them for their service to the Council.

New MBEs and Reciprocals

New MBE
MLM Photography
Mr. Michael Malone, President
324 Veach Drive
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Phone: (618) 550-9858
E-mail: mlmphoto@charter.com
Product/Services:  Freelance Photographer

New Reciprocals
Alternative Telecommunication Solutions, Inc..
Ms. Nadine Pressley, President
P.O. Box 998
Lorton, VA  22079
Phone: (703) 658-2660
Fax: (703) 550-5569
Email: nsmppres@ats-i.com
Website: www.ats-i.com
Product/Services: Voice telecommunications support, procurement, design, installation, end-user training and ongoing maintenance supporting the Nortel product line.

Pharos Financial Services, LP
Mr. Kneeland Youngblood, President
300 Crescent Court, Ste. 1380
Dallas, TX  75201
Phone: (214) 855-0194
Fax: (214) 855-1230
Email: vmullins@pharosfinancial.com
Product/Services:  Lease of Dell Computer Products and other PC/office technology products.