NEW YORK, Nov. 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In a collaborative effort aimed at ensuring that National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) corporate members and minority business enterprises (MBEs) in upstate New York continue to receive outstanding service from the NMSDC network, the New York and New Jersey Minority Supplier Development Council (NY/NJ MSDC) has agreed to expand and provide service to the former members of the Upstate New York Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. This transition extends NY/NJ MSDC's coverage area to include the entire state of New York and northern and central New Jersey.

"Our strategic focus for the NMSDC network is to provide sufficient support for our certified MBEs and corporate members," said NMSDC President Joset B. Wright. "I commend Upstate New York Board Chairman Mark Zaremski of Johnson & Johnson for working with NY/NJ MSDC Board Chair Pauline Gebon of Adecco and President Lynda Ireland to create a solution that aligns with NMSDC's mission.  The NY/NJ Council is a two-time Council of the Year winner, and I am confident that Ms. Gebon and Ms. Ireland will provide strong leadership to our constituents affected by this acquisition and territory expansion."

This acquisition and territory expansion brings to 36 the total number of affiliate councils in the NMSDC network.

A search is underway for a director to manage the upstate service area, where both MBEs and corporate members, educational institutions and government agencies will have an increased focus on developing and assisting in the establishment of supplier diversity initiatives, training programs and match-making services.  All current and future programs offered to the downstate constituency will be offered upstate. As part of the plan, NY/NJ MSDC will establish a satellite office in the Rochester area to conduct site visits as part of the certification process for MBEs, facilitate outreach activities and interact in a support role on corporate member activities and assist with corporate member needs.  

During this period of transition, all NY/NJ MSDC staff members will be available via telephone and, if necessary, in person to support the growth and development of the upstate area.  All inquiries related to this acquisition should be directed to the NY/NJ MSDC at 212-502-5663.

About NMSDC

The National Minority Supplier Development Council advances business opportunities for certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises and connects them to corporate members.  One of the country's leading corporate membership organizations, 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 36 Regional Councils across the country. There are 3,500 corporate members throughout the network, including most of America's largest publicly-owned, privately-owned and foreign-owned NMSDC companies, as well as universities, hospitals and other buying institutions. The Regional Councils certify and match more than 16,000 minority-owned businesses with member corporations that want to purchase their products and services.

SOURCE National Minority Supplier Development Council