Steve Wray Appointed to Philadelphia's Office of Economic Opportunity Advisory Board
November 12, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Philadelphia, November 12, 2010 -Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced appointees to the re-established Mayor's Advisory Commission on Construction Industry Diversity (MACCID) and the new Office of Economic Opportunity Advisory Board. The new Commission and Board will work with the City's Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) to increase minorities, woman and disable-owned businesses' (M/W/DSBEs) share of the Philadelphia market by offering a variety of technical assistance, contracting opportunities, financing and other incentives that are available through the City.
Members of the new MACCID Commission will advise OEO on implementing operational strategies that were developed based on 75 recommendations submitted in a March, 2009 report to the Mayor by the original MACCID Commission, which was established by Executive Order in March, 2008, and tasked with analyzing and reviewing Philadelphia's construction industry and the extent to which minorities and women were utilized in the workforce, particularly construction projects in the City. The Commission also examined the utilization of minority and women-owned businesses as contractors or subcontractors in the construction industry. The Commission's report recommended the creation of an ongoing MACCID Commission whose members would include a broad spectrum of union leaders, large and small contractors, public and private project owners, and community leaders.
Angelo Perryman, CEO, Perryman Building and Construction, will lead the MACCID Commission members, who will prioritize the report's recommendations and develop a strategy for their implementation with a goal of increasing minority participation in Philadelphia. The Commission will meet quarterly with OEO Executive Director Angela Dowd-Burton and appoint sub-committees as needed.
As an oversight board, the newly established Office of Economic Opportunity Advisory Board will advise OEO Executive Director Angela Dowd-Burton on increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of OEO operations. They will evaluate the effectiveness of current operating strategies aimed at promoting diversity in contracting and workforce opportunities throughout the region. Co-Chairs, Sharmain Matlock-Turner of the Urban Affairs Coalition and Wade Colclough, Chief Executive Officer of the Minority Supplier Development Council will lead the Advisory Board.
"The recommendations in last year's report will serve as a compass for guiding members of this Commission as they develop strategies and identify new opportunities for minorities and women-owned businesses in Philadelphia," said Mayor Nutter. "The members of this Commission understand that if Philadelphia's business wants to remain competitive, the City must promote the inclusion of all qualified professionals who can help spur the local economy."
"These leaders from the private, public and non-profit sectors have demonstrated their commitment to fostering economic growth and inclusion across this region", said Angela Dowd-Burton. "Their invaluable knowledge of the marketplace will enable us to continue our work of incorporating M/W/DSBEs into the value chain to drive OEO's goals and position Philadelphia as a City full of opportunities for all businesses."
"Today's announcement is about an ongoing effort to support job creation and these two groups will use their expertise to guide OEO also we can provide all qualified Philadelphians an opportunity to compete in the general market and make a decent living wage", said Kevin Dow, Chief Operating Officer for the Commerce Department.
The City's Department of Commerce recently developed the Smart City. Smart Choice. campaign to develop, attract and retain businesses in Philadelphia. A critical part of this strategy is to improve the direct relationship businesses have with City government, with a special focus on improving services for M/W/DSBEs.
Mayor's Appointments to the MACCID Commission:
Angelo Perryman, Perryman Building and Construction, Chair
Anthony Wigglesworth, Philadelphia Area Labor Management Committee
Beverly Harper, Portfolio Associates
Cheryl McKissack, The McKissack Group
Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller, Philadelphia City Council
Glenn Bryan, University of Pennsylvania
John Chin, Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation
John Macklin, National Association of Minority Contractors
Lorraine Brown, The Temple Group
Michelle Flamer, City of Philadelphia
Peirce Keating, Keating Construction
Emily Bittenbender, Bittenbender Construction
Ahmeenah Young, Pennsylvania Convention Center
Sam Staten, Jr., Laborers' International Union of North America Local 332
Sharon Dietrich, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Sheilah McLean Louis, Office of City Council President Anna Verna
Walter Palmer, General Building Contractors Association
William Carter, Office of Councilman Darrell L. Clark
Mario Zacharjasz, Chief Executive Officer, PZS Architects, LLC
Mayor's Appointments to OEO's Advisory Board:
Sharmain Matlock-Turner, Urban Affairs Coalition, Co-Chair
Wade Colclough, Minority Supplier Development Council, Co-Chair
Geri Swift, Women's Business Enterprise Council
Anthony Williams, State Senator
Clarence Armbrister, City of Philadelphia
Kevin Dow, City of Philadelphia
Michelle Flamer, Esq., City of Philadelphia
Narasimha Shenoy, Esq., Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Patricia Coulter, Urban League of Philadelphia
Peter Speaks, State of Pennsylvania
Steve Wray, Economy League of Greater Philadelphia
Varsovia Fernandez, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
William Nesheiwat, Office of Councilwoman Donna Reed Miller