(Black PR Wire) Miami, FL- The Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (SFMSDC) launched its sixth cycle of the Partners in Business Progress Mentor Protégé Program on October 30th. The program matches emerging minority-owned companies with senior executives from the University of Miami (U of M) to assist them in gaining the tools and techniques to improve their operations, gain more customers and accelerate growth.

Nine protégés were selected through a competitive application process. Protégés completed an assessment to determine critical business needs and were matched with individuals that have the expertise to assist them in building capacity. Senior U of M executives including Tess Stebbins, Executive Director of Medical Education; Ronald Bogue, Assistant VP of Facilities and Operations; Susan Montes, Executive Director of Purchasing, Edwin Hernandez, Director of Supply Chain Management; Cassandra Wiggins, Director of Human Resources; Kenneth Capezzuto, Executive Director of Environment Health Services; Tracy Mote, Director of Facility and Operations and Sandra Redway, Executive Director of Auxiliary Services are serving as mentors in the year-long mentorship program. “The Mentor Protégé Program provides an outstanding opportunity to support the ongoing business development needs of minority-owned companies”, said Beatrice Louissaint, President & CEO of the SFMSDC. “This program will provide assistance in accelerating the growth of these companies and help establish key relationships for success and the University of Miami is happy to be a partner,” stated John Square, Manager, Inclusion Programs Workplace Equity and Performance.

The Partners in Business Progress Mentor Protégé Program kicked-off with a training session and introduction of mentors to their protégés on October 30th on the campus of the University of Miami.

About SFMSDC
SFMSDC is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to advancing access and growth for minority businesses in South Florida. The organization’s goal is to increase purchasing from minority businesses by government entities and corporations, while increasing MBEs’ operating capacity through hands-on business assistance, training, and access to technology and capital resources. SFMSDC was founded in 1975 and is one of 24 regional councils affiliated with the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The Council acts as a liaison between Corporate America and Minority Business Enterprises in 16 counties that include Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe, St. Lucie, Collier, Charlotte, Martin and Palm Beach Counties.