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Select Source International (SSI) Joins the PACESETTER Program to Make
His Vision a Reality
Mandeep
Sodhi came to MEDA in the spring of 2008 seeking advice to vertically
integrate his business with a cause dear to his heart -- the
environment, energy consumption, and waste. Select Source
International (SSI) manages and implements major technology
initiatives and optimizes operations of IT investments.
Mariana
Scott (above, right) MEDA consultant, and Mandeep worked hard on
giving life to the project.
Today,
Mandeep is one of the few minority companies who has fully integrated
the green concept into his brand. In less than a year Select
Source International has become a company that
breathes, practices and advises other companies in the advantages of
sustainability.
Mandeep knew about MEDA long before he became a
client; he has been a MEDA supporter for three years giving generously
to our annual meeting and gala events.
As a Pacesetter, Mandeep fits our Pacesetter profile
flawlessly. He gives to the community; he believes and practices
corporate social responsibility; he is a community leader who
believes in giving back; and he is ethical and compassionate.
Mandeep exemplifies integrity in his private and professional
life.
"I am honored to have Mandeep participate in our
flagship Pacesetter program. Mandeep is passionate about his beliefs.
He does not cut corners and delivers what he offers 100%."
I am proud to have SSI in our portfolio of successful
entrepreneurs who become part of the MEDA family. They come to us
because they believe in our Mission and make their own vision a
reality.
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Board Spotlight 
Morris Goodwin, Jr. still remembers the environment
some twenty years ago, when he was first introduced to MEDA and asked
to join its Board of Directors.
"At that time, there was a great spirit of
technology taking off. Venture capital, private equity was just
beginning and the spirit of entrepreneurship was very much alive but
somewhat new for communities of color."
He thought that the philosophy of MEDA to encourage
the development of entrepreneurs of color, to increase wealth for
communities of color and to have an impact on the growth of the
economy was very much in keeping with the broad experience of
entrepreneurial activity in the country as a whole.
What he found so attractive were the timing,
uniqueness and the character of MEDA, as well as its focus on
expanding the opportunity for wealth-accumulation for communities of
color.
Morris continues to be impressed with MEDA's work
today. "Every time I look over the history of MEDA, I think it's
very important to give MEDA acknowledgement for its sustainability.
MEDA has been able to provide consulting services, business services
and technical advice to entrepreneurs over multiple decades.
This ability to sustain a high quality service model that remains
grounded even after 38 years of operating history, I think, is the
most distinguishing characteristic of MEDA."
His advice to MEDA clients is to thoroughly understand
the business industry in which you operate, to develop a formal or
informal coaching/mentoring relationship with a recognized expert or
high performer in the majority business community and to gain access
to investment and working capital.
MEDA is appreciative of Morris' contribution and
commitment to its mission. The opportunity to have a Board member who
not only brings great talent and ideas to the table but also provides
a historical perspective is invaluable.
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MEDA
Employee Spotlight 
PTAC Southwest Area
Manager
MEDA
welcomes Pat Dotter as its new PTAC Southwestern MN Area Manager. She
comes from the Wyoming PTAC where she worked for the past 8
years.
Prior
to that she was a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) counselor
and owned her own small business.
Although
her work at MEDA will be similar to her previous job, Pat is looking
forward to working with a different clientele. Her past PTAC experience
had been primarily with clients in areas more rural than her new
location in Southwestern Minnesota.
Her
move also brings her closer to two daughters who reside in Minnesota
and Wisconsin.
Pat
says she likes working at MEDA and helping clients to grow their
businesses through government contracting. "I've been
impressed with the caring staff-how they care about the clients and
each other. There seems to be a genuine interest in helping
businesses and entrepreneurs succeed."
In
regards to the current economic climate, Pat says that a lot more
people are calling and trying to get some of the stimulus package
money. She would like to urge entrepreneurs to contact PTAC to learn
about the advantages of working with federal or state agencies and a
chance to bid on opportunities that might provide business growth or
stability.
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2008 MEDA Gala Wins ISES Award!! 
The
MEDA Gala "Passage to India" won the prestigious
International Special Events Society (ISES) award for BEST EVENT FOR
A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION!
With
the help of WOW!
Events from Kraus - Anderson MEDA was able to entertain
our supporters through one of Minnesota's premier events - and at the
same time - raising 20% of MEDA's operating budget. Thanks again to
WOW! Events by Kraus - Anderson for helping make the MEDA Gala so
wonderful. We look forward to seeing everyone at our 2009 Gala on
November 14 - "Fiesta Latina" - at the Minneapolis Hilton.
(Photo of Yvonne Cheung Ho by
Coppersmith Photography)
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MEDA Honored with 2009
Advocacy Award
MEDA was honored
with the 2009 Advocacy Award from the Women's
Business Development Center! This Award is presented to an
individual or organization for their contributions to the economic
development and empowerment of women and minority-owned businesses, and
for their support of the WDBC and our shared mission.
(pictured L to R Hedy Ratner, Yvonne Cheung Ho, Maria Seiler,
Natasha Fedorova)
MEDA would like
to recognize
John Stout
- MEDA's founding father and Board member/Secretary for
the
International Citizen Award
Given by the International Leadership Institute.
Kojo
Benjamin Taylor, a MEDA Board member
and Theresa Taylor, were honored with the
International Immigrant Achievement Award
Given by the International Leadership Institute.
Ashish
Gadnis
Forward
Hindsight Forward
Hindsight was announced as a Young Global Leader
invited to the World Economic Forum 2009.
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2009
Accomplishments
300 entrepreneurs of color
made it their business to succeed with MEDA.
MEDA approved $499.000 in
new loans.
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
PACESETTER
Next Step Series
Tuesday, May 19
Todd Lifson - Lurie
Besikof and Lapidus, LLP
PTAC PROCUREMENT FAIR
Earle
Brown Heritage Center - Brooklyn Center, MN
Basics
of Affirmative Action - St. Cloud
Basics
of Affirmative Action - Bemidji
Doing
Business with DLA Defense Supply Centers - Minneapolis
*****************
EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT SERIES (EDS)
Douglas
Baker, CEO - Ecolab
July
30, 2009
Mary
K. Brainerd, President and CEO - HealthPartners
August
19, 2009
Kenneth Powell, Chair and CEO - General Mills
October
7, 2009
Andy Bessette,
EVP
& Chief Administrative Officer - Travelers
Date
TBA
Richard Copeland, CEO - Thor Construction
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OTHER
NEWS and EVENTS
The
College of St. Catherine - Leadership
Conference for Women of Color. Click
Here
SBA
2009 Recovery Act
Q
and A for Small Business Owners Click
Here
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