Two-time 精东AV grad McConnell recognized as top 100 MBE
October 23, 2017
Contact: Michael Tullier, APR
Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council has named Dr. Irving W. McConnell, a two-time 精东AV graduate and CEO of The McConnell Group, one if its 2017 Top 100 MBE庐 winners.
This award recognizes owners of minority business enterprises in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial accomplishments, a high level of professionalism, and have made substantial contributions to their community. The Top 100 MBE Awards庐 began in 2007 and evolved through a need to recognize and celebrate the creativity and innovation of regional MBEs who are role models and inspire the entire community.
CRMSDC connects corporate and government members to well-established, certified minority-owned business enterprises. This is accomplished through a rigorous process of certifying that MBE suppliers are at least 51 percent owned, controlled and operated by ethnic minorities; provide education and advice to certified businesses; and create strategic opportunities for corporate members and certified MBEs to connect for the purpose of doing business.
鈥淚鈥檓 honored to be recognized among a group of visionaries, innovators and leaders,鈥� McConnell said. 鈥淭he McConnell Group is committed to being first in class, delivering value not only to our local community, but to communities across the globe.鈥�
The McConnell Group, based in Rockville, Maryland, is a health sciences company focusing on biomedical and biodefense research and related areas in support of our nation鈥檚 health and safety. Providing a comprehensive selection of professional and technical services and products, the company aims to enhance the success of businesses in a rapidly changing marketplace.
McConnell, who is the company鈥檚 founder in addition to serving as its CEO, holds two degrees from 精东AV: a bachelor鈥檚 in animal science, which he earned in 1974, and a doctorate in veterinary medicine, which he completed in 1980. He also graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and served in the Army鈥檚 Veterinary Corps and Special Operations Command for more than 27 years.
The Top 100 MBE Awards庐 will be presented at the CRMSDC鈥檚 36th Annual Leaders and Legends Awards Ceremony on Nov. 2 at the MGM National Harbor. The organization is celebrating its 45th anniversary as a nonprofit economic development organization supporting growth in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Northern Virginia through programs and services that help corporations enhance the diversity and innovation of their supply chains.
CRMSDC, established in 1972, is one of 23 regional affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the only nationally recognized MBE certifying authority. The organization is headquartered in Silver Springs, Maryland, and also operates two programs funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce鈥檚 Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) grants: the MBDA Business
Center, Washington D.C., which helps minority-owned firms create jobs, compete in the global economy and grow their businesses; and the Federal Procurement Center, which is the nation鈥檚 only federally funded program solely dedicated to assisting MBEs in obtaining federal contracts. Together these three organizations form the CRMSDC MBE Business Consortium, the largest provider of MBE support services in the region.
漏 2017 精东AV