Board of Directors Ballot

For Selection of Buying Entity Representative Companies and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE)  Representatives

VOTING DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 30, 2024

INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING

• Please vote for your choice of candidates.
  • Each year 1-3 MBE positions on the Board of Directors are up for election. The following seats are open for election for MBE representatives this year:
    • African American
    • Asian* 
    • Hispanic
  • Vote for each of the Buying Entities of your choice
• Only ONE ballot from each Buying Entity or MBE Company will be accepted.
• In the case of duplicate ballots from the same company, the Council will communicate with the senior most person to deterimine the vote.

Terms commence January 1, 2025 

*The Asian American MBE board seat will be a 1-year term (vs. 3 years like the others) as a result of the seat being vacated in the middle of the current term.

VOTING FOR ONLY 1 CANDIDATE IN EACH CATEGORY

The following seats are open for election.  

• African American Board Representative (3 candidates -- Vote for only 1)
• Asian American Board Representative (2 candidates - Vote for only 1)
• Hispanic Board Representative (1 candidate - Vote for only 1)

As Co-Chairman of the DFW MSDC Construction Implementation Group, I bring a strong track record of advocacy and results to the DFW MSDC Board of Directors. Over the past four years, GCC Enterprises has proudly participated in all Council Signature events, demonstrating our dedication to the MBE community and our commitment to building impactful connections. Through our projects, we consistently achieve over 45% MBE participation, underscoring our commitment to creating tangible opportunities for other minority businesses.

With over 20 years of experience as President and CEO of GCC Enterprises, I have led our company to successfully navigate and deliver complex projects while fostering strategic partnerships that benefit MBEs and buying entities alike. I have also served on the boards of the Regional Black Contractors Association, TEXO, Denton County Advocates, and the National Association of Minority Contractors, where I’ve championed initiatives that align with the Council’s mission to support minority-owned businesses.

If elected, I will bring this experience, dedication, and insight to ensure every MBE benefits from the Council’s resources and opportunities, and I am committed to representing the diverse interests of all MBEs with transparency and collaboration. Thank you for your consideration.

With over 25 years as a Human Resources professional, I am dedicated to helping others thrive. My approach focuses on servant leadership, helping MBEs achieve their goals and navigate challenges with calmness and energy. I possess a positive, uplifting, and joyful demeanor with excellent listening and communication skills that will help meet the needs of MBEs and supporting buying entities.  Additionally, my ability to remain composed under pressure creates an environment where others feel supported and can speak candidly and openly about their concerns. 

As an advocate for MBEs, I understand the unique challenges we face and am committed to representing our needs on the Board.  My innate ability to build relationships and my dedication to fostering an open, candor with care communication style make me an ideal candidate to ensure MBEs connect with buying entities that so graciously support DFWMSDC. 

I am running for the African American seat on the board because visibility, engagement, and connection are essential for success. Through active participation in numerous DFWMSDC events, I have witnessed firsthand the power of community and collaboration, strengthening my resolve to support our organization’s goals and the success of all its members. 

If elected, I will bring a selfless dedication to advocating for MBEs, ensuring our priorities are represented and needs addressed as we collectively work toward growth and prosperity.

Jollyn Mwisongo is ACARI’s President & CEO with more than 20 years of experience in the A|E|C industry. Since its inception in 2009, the award-winning ACARI Management Group, has provided Program | Construction | Diversity management services to various clientele. ACARI represents both public sector owners and private companies on major construction projects in the DFW metroplex.

Ms. Mwisongo has created comprehensive strategies in support of Minority and Women-owned Businesses' Enterprise (M/WBE) goals and implemented diversity programs from small to billion-dollar construction projects throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. ACARI is dedicated to assisting its clients by providing community outreach and involvement services for the overall improvement of the community through meaningful connections that make a positive impact in the community we serve. ACARI aims to bring opportunities and give voice to those companies that otherwise could not participate in larger projects by fostering relationships between them and the primes. We seek to understand each project’s needs and effectively communicate and assist in integrating the smaller subcontractors into the larger picture. Our end goal is to build capacity for the M/WBE’s and see them grow to the next level.

With each outreach event, ACARI makes every effort to include our advocacy partners, such as DFW MSDC, by making them aware of bidding opportunities and offering them the opportunity to the room about their services.

Jollyn Mwisongo is a board member for several advocacy and non-profit organizations. Her motto is “People First…Always!”

Dr Neena Biswas, MD, is the Founder & CEO of B12 Consulting. She was the Asian American representative on the DFWMSDC Board (2020-22) and would love the opportunity to contribute again.

Dr Neena is committed to the mission of the Council. She is a strong advocate of diversity and inclusion. As a DFW MSDC board member, she worked on the Metrics Committee to further the 1 % initiative of the Council, working with corporates and MBEs. She completed and promoted the Council's special programs such as Blue Wave Business Intensive. She participated as a panel member in the MBEIC Health Care pandemic sessiona and supported other MBEs with information/ knowledge and assistance in growing their businesses.

She has been actively involved in the Dallas community as an elected School Board Member (Coppell ISD from 2020-23), supporting STEM initiatives for women, advocating for healthcare initiatives for diverse populations and Veterans.

She has regularly attended Council events like QBL for several years and NMSDC events. B12 has been a sponsor at the Annual Gala, Business Expo (Access), Golf Classic.

In 2023, B12 received “Diverse Supplier of the Year” award from Toyota for consulting services. In the DFWMSDC E Awards Gala in 2023, B12 won the Supplier of the Year - Category 1. She won the Regional Supplier of the Year -Category 1 Award from NMSDC in October 2024. 

Dr Neena is a physician with 3 specialties (Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice & Palliative Care). She has attended Executive programs at MIT, SMU and Dartmouth.  Her hobbies include music and gardening.

 

Hussain Manjee is true Servant Leader at heart. He has been on the Board of Directors for the Dallas Regional Chamber (DRC) for the past 7+ years improving the business climate in our region and attracting new companies to DFW. He’s also the current President of the Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO) Dallas chapter with over 150 multi-million dollar member companies, where he was voted in by his peers because of his years of service to the regional community and the board.

In his day job, Hussain’s the Chief Success Officer at DHD Films, one of DFW MSDC’s Supplier of the Year award winners. He’s even been invited to the White House by President Obama and his committee to speak on issues of Small Businesses and Minority owned companies. His ethic of service stems deep within his company’s core values and is demonstrated by their employees, with many of them engaging in various non-profits.

Hussain’s passionate about improving the quality of life of our community and intends on bringing MBEs and Corporate partners together to move the DFWMSDC’s agenda forward. He’s also a graduate of the Kellogg AMEP program and has seen how engaging with our community has improved his life. Lastly, he’s a husband and father of two.

As a minority woman vying for the Hispanic seat on the board, I’m grateful for the progressive steps that enable MBEs to compete in today’s business market and I look forward to promoting and supporting the next generations’ continued MBE successes for their communities. 

I am the first minority female executive of Logisticorp (DFW MSDC member) and have worked throughout my tenure to drive strategic priorities.  Through various leadership roles, I have successfully implemented an Enterprise Resource Planning system, an Electronic Data Interchange platform, and overseen quality management certifications.  My familiarity with the challenges that an MBE must work through has provided me with an expertise to share with the DFW MSDC. 

Outside of Logisticorp I serve as the Board Chair for Exodus Ministries, where I have been able to create a full employee benefits package and define processes for long term growth and development.  We have cut the turnover rate in half from the beginning of my tenure and are back on track with expected graduation rates (increase from 50% to 85% graduation). 

My company has displayed a strong commitment to ongoingly increase our MBE-to-MBE expenditures.  We recorded over $1MM in MBE spend two years ago and continue to exceed the MSDC’s “1% increase in year-over-year spend” for the past six years.   Having my mentor and CEO Garry Castro lead by example, including his ten years with the DFW MSDC Board of Directors has been invaluable, and I look forward to continuing and expanding on his legacy here.

G. Affirmation of Eligibility 

By my signature below, I attest that I am a Buying Entity representative or a certified Minority Business Enterprise and in good standing with The Council.