Ron Williams takes helm of Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council on March 8. Welcome event scheduled for March 22.

On behalf of the Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council (GCMSDC) board of directors and executive committee, Art Oros, chairman of the board and manager of Purchasing Services for SRP, is announcing the selection of the GCMSDC’s new executive director, president and CEO, Ron Williams. Williams is the organization’s second executive director in its eleven years. He has accepted the position upon the previous executive director, Joe Castillo’s, retirement.

Castillo leaves his post respected for his leadership in starting and shaping the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of this national organization. He recently opened his own local consulting company, specializing in helping minority business owners start and build business enterprises.
Williams will take GCMSDC’s helm on March 8, 2004. A reception is planned for March 22. “Ron has served in the local business community for years,” says Oros. “He is an excellent addition to the Council and will provide the leadership and creativity needed to move it forward. I look forward to working with him to grow our Council and reach new levels of success.”

Maxine Jones, chair of the GCMSDC Minority Business Input Committee (MBEIC) and member of the GCMSDC board and executive committee adds, “Mr. Williams brings a new approach and direction to meet the Council’s goal and mission. His education and experience in economic development, business retention and expansion will serve the Council well. And his past involvement with minority groups and corporations will benefit minority business owners as well as public and private sector corporations as we seek to increase procurement and business opportunities.”

Broad-based cultural diversity experience
Williams brings a wealth of economic development, business retention and expansion experience to his new position. Prior to his GCMSDC appointment, he served as the liaison to the Phoenix Human Relations Commission and Business Development Committee for the City of Phoenix Equal Opportunity Department. He was also a City of Phoenix business certification specialist and served on the outreach team for the Business Relations Section. He simultaneously oversaw cultural diversity and awareness programs including the Phoenix Human Relations Commission and subcommittees for Business Development, Multicultural Event Planning and the Martin Luther King Jr. Awards.

In addition to his tenure with the City of Phoenix, Williams served six years as a program manager for the Arizona Procurement Technical Assistance Network (APTAN), providing procurement opportunities and bidding assistance to small minority businesses. Says Williams, “I fully understand how securing the next business opportunity for a small minority business could be the ‘elixir of life” and could provide the needed revenue to make the next payroll.” Post APTAN, Williams was director of the Arizona Native American Business Development Center (ANABDC) for the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development (NCAIED), assisting businesses in the Native American community with certification, procurement and financing. Williams is also a former U.S. Air Force contracting officer.

New face; fresh ideas
As executive director, Williams hopes to build upon GCMSDC’s pre-established role of providing services and resources to its members and the region’s minority business owners. He joins the both newly-elected executive committee and MBEIC, whose united focus is on developing an enthusiastic start to accomplishing an inspired vision. “I anticipate a collaborative effort as we move forward on our shared interest of increasing the economic viability of our Council,” says Williams. “As I transition into the position, I will promptly seek to build relationships and nurture existing ones in the public and private corporate sector. I will be undaunted in my quest to meet the needs of our corporate partners and certified MBE’s.”
Meet the new E.D.

A catered reception is planned for March 22, 5 – 7 p.m., replacing GCMSDC’s regularly scheduled networking event previously slated for March 17. The event will be held at the GCMSDC office, 802 N. 5th Ave in Phoenix. The public is invited to join the executive committee, board and MBEIC in welcoming Ron Williams and becoming acquainted with the Council staff and members. RSVP to the GCMSDC office, (602) 495-9950 or gcmsdc@qwest.net. Pricing for attendance at the event will be the same as all regularly scheduled networking events ($20 for certified MBE’s; $25 for non-certified MBE’s; $25 for corporate/government members; $30 for non-members).

Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council
The Grand Canyon Minority Supplier Development Council is the Arizona/New Mexico Chapter of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, comprised of 41 chapters, nationwide. The GCMSDC, established in 1993, is a private-sector, non-profit organization.
In addition to certifying minority-owned business applicants, the GCMSDC provides members access to the organization’s national database of MBE certified businesses and other corporate and government entity members. It also offers access to capital funding for certified MBE’s through its participation in Business Consortium Fund, Inc.
More information is available at 602-495-9950 or www.GCMSDC.org.

Contact Information
Linda Tihkan
Interim Executive Director
Grand Canyon MSDC
802 N. 5th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: 602-495-9950/Fax: 602-495-9943
Email: ltihkan@qwest.net
Web: www.GCMSDC.org