The Executive Director of Empire State Development’s (ESD) Division of Minority and Women Business Development, Michael H. Jones-Bey, received the 2009 Outstanding Leadership Award by the Syracuse Network Alliance and Minority Contractors of Central New York at their 12th annual Celebration held earlier this month. Local Minority Business Owners, Civic leaders and Elected Officials from Central New York converged on the Radisson Hotel for a week long celebration to commemorate 12 years of service and community development.
 
Other award recipients recognized for their work as community role models and individuals that are contributing to the fulfillment of the Alliance Network's Mission included Malcolm A. Smith, Majority Leader of the New York Senate, Mary Ann Schmitt-Carey, President of the Say Yes to Education Foundation, Don Cogsville, President of the Minority lead real estate development company and The Cogsville Group, LLC. 
 
“The Senate Democratic Conference salutes the Alliance Network and is committed to revitalizing all of New York including Central New York,” said New York State Senator Malcolm Smith. “We will leverage our commitment to MWBEs by working with my fellow award recipient Michael Jones-Bey who was recently appointed to chair a special DBE/MWBE subcommittee of Governor Paterson's new Stimulus Cabinet to make sure that our state's MWBEs benefit from the state's $24 billion share of President Obama's $787 billion stimulus package.
 
"I am truly honored to receive this award. While much work remains to be done in meeting the Governor's MWBE mandates, this award is affirmation that our efforts are beginning to be appreciated in the MWBE community,” said Michael Jones-Bey, Executive Director of ESD’s Division of Minority and Women's Business Development. “I am thankful for the extraordinary efforts of my staff and the incredible partnerships we have both within this administration and the private/NGO sector."
 
Empire State Development is New York’s chief economic development agency. ESD also oversees the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand.  For more information, visit www.nylovesbiz.com