Congratulations Tsui!
February 27, 2013 (NEW YORK) – The National Minority Business Council (www.nmbc.org) is marking the start of its fifth decade by further expanding its annual awards program, now in its 33rd year, by presenting its first award ever for Outstanding Green Initiative, February 28th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square, New York City.
C.W. Brown, a Westchester County-based general contracting and construction management services firm serving commercial clients in the Tri-State area, will receive NMBC’s first-ever Outstanding Green Initiative Award at the organization’s annual luncheon, beginning at 11:00 AM. Employee-owned and certified as a Woman-owned Business Enterprise, the company’s headquarters building in Armonk, NY was the first green construction in Westchester County to have met the standards of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification, the highest certification standard in the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system. It was the first building in New York State, outside of New York City, and one of only 86 in the United States to achieve this distinction.
NMBC is also reinforcing its strong working relationship with government agencies by featuring as this year’s keynote speaker Craig Collins, vice president of administration, New York City School Construction Authority (SCA). Collins is responsible for Contractor Qualification, Administrative Services, Human Resources, Business Development Division (BDD) and Policy Development, all of vital interest to any business eager to become qualified as government contractor.
“Last year, reaching our 40th Anniversary was a significant milestone for NMBC. But clearly, our work is not complete,” said John F. Robinson, President and CEO of the national organization that is headquartered in New York City. “Over the years, our advocacy work for minority-owned businesses has expanded as the definition of ‘minority-owned’ has grown. "Minority-owned businesses, whether their principals are people of color, women, veterans, members of the LGBT community, immigrants to our great country, or people with disabilities, have proven time and again that they not only have what it takes to survive but thrive. The men and women being honored at our 33rd Annual Awards Ceremony are testimony to that and are an inspiration for future generations of business owners of all backgrounds and from all walks of life, regardless of color, gender, or national origin.”
Several of the awardees noted that this achievement is recognition of their personal and professional commitment to the same goals and ideals of NMBC. “Working with diverse firms is a priority at Skanska, and we’re honored to accept the 2013 Outstanding Corporate Supplier Diversity Award from the NMBC,” said Tom Webb, executive vice president and general manager for Skanska USA Building’s Metro New York region. “We’re committed to collaborating with and creating opportunities for minority businesses which help fuel the local economies where we all work together.”
Tsui Yee, a founding partner of Guerrero Yee LLP, shares this year’s Dena Coye Outstanding Woman Entrepreneurship Award with Data Blue, a customized storage, backup and server virtualization and consolidation firm with offices in New York and Atlanta. “I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” said Yee, who practices immigration and nationality law in New York. “I deeply respect NMBC which provides tremendous support to minority entrepreneurs such as me. Being a member of NMBC has enriched my professional life and business in innumerable ways.” Yee is Co-Chair of the Immigration and Nationality Law Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and Chair of the Solo and Small Firm Practice Committee at the New York County Lawyers Association.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by the NMBC as the recipient of its 2013 Outstanding Media Award,” added Robert Levin, Chief Executive Officer and publisher. “Our Manhattan-based publication is relied upon by more than 100,000 business owners and executives in the tri-state area. Along with NMBC, we are there for those business owners that are seeking better ways to grow their companies." Mistress of Ceremonies at this year’s Awards Luncheon is Suzanne Veira, Senior Director Business Development, NYC School Construction Authority. The complete list of NMBC 2013 award recipients follows:
- Outstanding Green Initiative: C.W. Brown
- Outstanding Corporate Supplier Diversity Award: Citnalta Construction Corporation, Skanska USA Building, Inc., and Plaza Construction Corporation
- Outstanding Minority Business: Padilla Construction Services, Inc., First Choice Mechanical, Inc., and Velez Organization.
- Dena Coye Outstanding Woman Entrepreneurship Award: Data Blue and Guerrero Yee, LLC. The award is named in honor of a long-time and deceased employee of NMBC.
- Outstanding Educational Institution:Medgar Evers College
- Outstanding Veteran Owned Business Award: RCL Burco, LLC
- Charles T. Haffey Community Service Award: Cause Effective. The award is named in honor of a former vice president of corporate purchasing at Pfizer, Inc., an early associate and strong supporter of NMBC.
- Outstanding Global Business Award: Target International Shipping
- Outstanding Media Award: The New York Enterprise Report.
About NMBC:
The National Minority Business Council, Inc. (NMBC), a not-for-profit 501 ©(3) corporation, was founded in December 1972. The primary purpose of the organization is to enhance the success and profitability of the small business community through the provision of high-quality services, programs, advocacy and networking support. The secondary purpose is to act as an information clearinghouse for the women- and minority-owned business enterprise (MWBE) community.
