More »
University Communications

Robins School of Business and Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council to provide leadership training for minority business executives

February 10, 2009

The Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council and University of Richmond's Robins School of Business will offer leadership development training to CEOs selected from certified minority businesses across the commonwealth.

Intensive three-day sessions in June and September at the university will focus primarily on leadership skills, business expansion and customer service. Twenty participants will be selected for the first cohort through a rigorous application process. Details, including costs and admission requirements, will be posted to the Web sites of VMSDC and the Robins School soon.

Altria Group, Dominion Resources and MeadWestvaco—corporations based in central Virginia—are founding sponsors of the training program.

VMSDC and the Robins School designed the training to help the CEOs increase business and deal with the downturn that has affected the American economy. Professors specializing in strategic management, finance, marketing and entrepreneurship and the school's Executive Education division will tailored the curriculum to VMSDC's membership.

"As always, we're committed to education and training," said Connie Smith, VMSDC chair and who also heads supplier diversity development for the Altria family of companies. "This program will provide the right information at the right time to suppliers that are ready to evolve to the next level."

"The Robins School is honored to have been chosen for this important work," said Dean Jorge Haddock.

Richard Coughlan, Robins School senior associate dean, said he expects the program to make a difference in Virginia's future economy.

"By helping chief executives expand their firms' capabilities, we aim to increase their chances for building new partnerships with major corporations across the country," Coughlan said.