BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
National Association of Minority Contractors Hosts 52nd Annual National Conference in New York Annual Meeting Connects DBE/MWBE/VDBE Construction Contractors, Owners and Government Agencies The National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC) hosted its 52nd Annual National Conference in partnership with the NAMC New York Tri-State Chapter on Thursday, October 14 and Friday, October 15, 2021. The hybrid event featured speakers, presenters, and attendees from across the industry and the nation. One of the highlights of the conference was the global discussion surrounding the disparity and underutilization of minority women contractors in corporate and public agency MWBE/DBE numbers as well as the overutilization of SBE participation in the small business program. “We wanted to share with our New York Tri-State MWBEs the importance of showing up and connecting with decision makers and thought leaders in the public and private sectors,” Nayan Parikh, NAMC NY Tri-State Chapter President and National Conference Co-Chair said. “The Annual Conference in New York City gives national mentoring and training opportunities and the relationships our local businesses need to thrive.” Panel discussions also included minority supplier opportunities; the federal infrastructure bill; how to advocate on behalf of minority contractor concerns with local, state and federal lawmakers; navigating job order contracting and other alternative contract delivery methods. Featured speakers included USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg; USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg; Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ), Chair, House
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Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials; the Honorable Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, New York State Assembly Members Jenifer Rajkumar and Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; and Rick Cotton, Executive Director, The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Presenters included New York State Lt. Governor Brian Benjamin, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gregory Russ (NYCHA), and Jamie TorresSpringer, New York City Department of Design and Construction. “NAMC is focused on developing our student chapters and connecting our major corporate partners and minority business members for the mutual benefit of building and thriving together,” said Wendell Stemley, NAMC Emeritus Director, National Conference Co-Chair, and Founder/CEO, Black IPO, Inc. “We are developing NAMC diversity as a business model more than a charitable effort.”
Right: Nayan Parikh, president of NAMC New York Tri-State Chapter (left), recognizes Gordon Tung, New York City School Construction Authority, and New York Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin during the National Conference. (Photo courtesy of NAMC)
Opposite: Nayan Parikh, president of NAMC New York Tri-State Chapter (far right), recognizes public officials during the national conference. From left: Jamie Torres-Springer, NYCDDC; Gregory Russ, NYCHA; Jennifer Rajkumar, NY Assembly Member (D38); Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, NY Assembly Member (D42); New York State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson; and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. (Photo courtesy of NAMC)
Above: Wendell R. Stemley, NAMC Conference Co-Chair (left), talks with (former) New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio during the NAMC Annual Conference. (Photo courtesy of NAMC)
