Business Diversity Quarterly Report
Round up

Virginia Business
February 2007

Hollins leadership program expands to serve local firms
A women's leadership program begun four years ago at Hollins University has expanded to serve companies in the Roanoke area.

Hollins started the Batten Leadership Institute in 2002 with an endowment by Frank Batten, the retired chairman and CEO of Norfolk-based Landmark Communications Inc., and his wife, Jane, who graduated from Hollins in 1958. The institute serves 100 Hollins students.

The university also has an off-campus leadership workshop series for a half dozen local companies including the Roanoke Times, Cox Communications and Norfolk Southern Corp. "We discovered there was a tremendous interest for this kind of program in the community," says Katherine Walker, the program's founding director. "We've really tapped into a need."

Supplier development council announces 2006 award winners

Philip Morris USA has received two awards recognizing its efforts to promote a diverse pool of suppliers.

The Richmond-based Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council (VMSDC) named Henrico County-based Philip Morris the recipient of its top award, the "Soaring Eagle" award, for its commitment to supplier diversity. The company also received the "Raising the Bar" award, given to the most improved organization working with the council.

The council's purpose is to pair major corporations with certified minority suppliers.

The group also presented two awards to the University of Virginia. U.Va. was named the most improved public-sector organization, and William "Bill" Cooper, the director of the school's supplier diversity program, was named "Advocate of the Year."

One of 39 affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the council serves 200 corporate members and approximately 375 certified minority businesses.

State agency relocates its offices
The Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise has moved.

The department's new offices are located at 1111 E. Main St., Suite 300, in Richmond. It previously was based at 200-202 N. Ninth St.

The department assists "SWAM" companies (small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses) in becoming certified to do business within the commonwealth.

Web site promotes procurement diversity
Two state government departments are working to-gether to spread the word about events promoting the commonwealth's procurement diversity efforts.

The Virginia Department of Business Assistance and the Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise now provide information regarding small-, women- and minority-owned companies online.

Filipino-American business group seeks new members in Hampton Roads
The Hampton Roads chapter of Young Filipino-American Professionals is seeking new members. YFP is a professional development business organization.

The organization offers programs to increase business networking opportunities and preserve Filipino culture. Contact details.