Doing Business on the Greens, a two-part seminar and clinic was an added component to the golf outing this year. Conducted by PGA Golf Pro Anthony G. Stepney, V. Diane Freeman of Ferguson Manning Associates, Greg Spencer of Randall Industries, LLC and Robert A. James of Highmark Health concurred that the seminar was a great added addition to the tournament. “I found the clinic to be very helpful,” said Spencer. “As a matter of fact I put what I learned into play right away.”
Focused on the information shared about networking and doing business on the golf course, Freeman said she was delighted with the tips she learned on how to leverage and build relationships.
Pointing out that the clinics were James’ idea, Cofield said she was pleased with the results. “This is something we will look to move forward with in the future. After learning how golf can be used as a business tool and the rules of the game, attendees spent the afternoon learning to putt, pitch, and drive and went from the clinic to the greens.”
Stepney, a nine-year member of the PGA is a PGA Class A Certified Teaching Professional in Player Development. With a passion and love for the game he says his focus is diversity and inclusion in the game and business of golf. “The game of golf has a great economic impact. It is bigger than most spectator sports,” he said. Dedicated to introducing, inviting and including minorities to the game and opportunities he stressed that it is all about relationships and committed to assisting EMSDC triple the size of next year’s scholarship tournament.
Also satisfied with the clinic conducted by Stephey, James program manager of Highmark Health says he is pleased his company is involved in working with Stephey in preparing MBEs to do business on the golf course. “I see it working both ways; working to improve one’s game by teaching the fundamentals and by developing and improving networking skills.”
The awards dinner was also a surprise retirement party for Nichols. Affiliated with the organization for 13 years, he served as president and CEO of the Eastern Minority Supplier Development Council which at the time was known as the Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Diversity Council. When the organization underwent a re-organization he became the chief operating officer.
Throughout his career he has been the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. Most recently he received the Talk Magazine 2016 Black History Maker Award and the Omega Psi Phi Outstanding Award in the area of Business. In 2015 he received the EMSDC President’s Award and an award has been named in his honor; The Alexander Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award.
Pleased with the results of the tournament and excited to be cultivating the next generation of entrepreneurs Cofield said the tournament wouldn’t have been a success without the support of the participants and sponsors such as AEC Group, CDI Printing, Chevron, Cogent, Computer Enterprises, Inc., Dawood, Frank B. Fuhrer Wholesale, Giant Eagle, Highmark, National Fuel Gas Company, Net Xperts, Pfizer, PNC, Rivers Casino, South Coast Paper, Sun Chevrolet, Tekstrom, UPMC and UPMC Health Plan.
The mission of the EMSDC is to stimulate and support economic development with minority-owned businesses. Minorities are considered Asians, Blacks, Hispanics, and Native Americans.
EMSDC certifies and connects minority-owned businesses throughout Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware with member corporations who are committed to supplier development and want to purchase their products, services and solutions.
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