Introducing the DOBE® Host Committee

We are proud to introduce the USBLN®’s 2014 Conference inaugural Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE) Host Committee comprised of capable, forward- thinking and innovative certified disability suppliers who are helping achieve our organization’s vision of driving greater disability inclusion in all areas of business. Since its inception in early April, the Committee has been hard at work on ways to increase the visibility of DOBEs, their integration into the supply chain and elevating the interest of corporations and government agencies in doing business with USBLN certified DOBEs and service-disabled veterans-owned businesses (SDVOBs). Several of the members also utilize other certified suppliers for their business needs.

The Host Committee, chaired by Joyce Bender, Bender Consulting Services, will be actively involved on-site during the conference and invite you to look for them at conference sessions, Business Exchange Matchmaker meetings and other events. Visit their booth at the Biz2Biz Expo. But don’t wait until September! Find out how these certified suppliers, and other disability-owned businesses can bring added value and competitiveness to your supply chain.

DOBE Host Committee Chair

Joyce A. Bender is the founder and CEO of Bender Consulting Services, Inc., a firm that recruits and hires people with disabilities in the public and private sectors, who are trained in the information technology, engineering, finance/accounting, human resources, and general business areas. In 2001, Joyce also incorporated Bender Consulting Services of Canada, Inc., a Canadian company that focuses on creating competitive employment opportunities for Canadians with disabilities. Bender Consulting is headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and operates in 19 states in the U.S. and two provinces in Canada. A USBLN certified DOBE since 2010, and successful business owner for more than 20 years, Joyce believes

that disability-owned and operated firms are business-savvy with strong capabilities and are ready to compete in the business marketplace.

jbender@benderconsult.com; www.benderconsult.com

© 2014 US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). All rights reserved. www.usblnannualconference.org

Cindy Ulven is the President and CEO of Accelerated Engraving & Signage, LLC is a highly professional company specializing in delivering custom and quality signage to meet the needs of our clients. They are a licensed ADA compliant company and provide Braille and all types of signage for commercial and public buildings. Cindy’s company also sells wholesale and retail personalized engraved gifts and corporate awards to stores and businesses throughout the U.S. AES is located in western Minnesota and ship products national and international. The firm manufactures Braille signs for Government projects and the National Institute of the Blind.

AES@arvig.net; www.aengraving.com

Patricia K. Graves is president and founder of Caption First, Inc., a company that provides real time and offline media captioning for people with hearing loss as well as for people whose Native language is not English. With a history of business ownership that spans 25 successful years, Patricia is a perfect example of how hard work and business acumen allow small businesses to successfully compete in the marketplace, regardless of disability. Certified as a DOBE® by the USBLN® in 2012, headquartered in Colorado, and with employees and independent contractors throughout the United States, Caption First serves people, corporations, and organizations nationally and internationally.

Pat.graves@captionfirst.com; www.captionfirst.com

© 2014 US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). All rights reserved. www.usblnannualconference.org

Charlotte International Partners Inc. was established in 2003 by Jack D. Smith, President. Charlotte International Partners is the exclusive US partner for six of Europe's most respected commercial lighting manufacturers and is responsible for the sales, marketing, logistics and distribution of their products. With more than fourteen years' experience with LED and driver technology, Charlotte International Partners represents the world's largest commercial LED lighting manufacturer: I-LED, one of the Linea Light Group companies from Italy. Combined with their other lighting factories, Charlotte International Partners offers the largest selection of LED lighting in

the USA with more than 26,000 unique products. Their products are offered to the professional lighting industry by a network of the nation's leading manufacturers reps covering all the major metropolitan areas. As the preferred lighting vendor of some of the largest retail chains, CIP offers a vast selection of specialty lighting in all styles at factory direct prices.

jdsmith@usa.com; www.ciplighting.com

Integrated Global Strategies (IGS) was launched in 2012 by Andy Houghton, Principal and CEO. Our company specializes in disability awareness training and strategic communications, including the production of visual media. This focus makes Integrated Global Strategies a leading diversity supplier source for clients seeking communications and marketing expertise and high quality media products and services including: motion/video production; special effects and open and closed captioning services at competitive prices. Specifically IGS helps clients establish quality benchmarks/standards based on best practices and industry standards; create a replicable model that can be applied enterprise wide; and link essential

capabilities of nonprofit organizations to corporate strategic sourcing initiatives.

Andrewdh@bellsouth.net; www.integratedglobalstrategies.com

© 2014 US Business Leadership Network (USBLN). All rights reserved. www.usblnannualconference.org