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NBMBAA membership covers a broad spectrum of industries and experience. Our board also reflects diversity of professionals found in the African American business community. They bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise, ranging from technology to public service, and unique opportunities to network and develop relationships.
William (Bill) Wells Jr., Chairman of the NBMBAA Board of Directors, is Vice President of Strategic Inclusion Solutions for InclusionINC. A recognized figure in the inclusion and diversity industry, Bill also provides expertise in the areas of organization development, change management, culture change and transformation. Bill is co-producer and workshop facilitator for the Multicultural Forum, an annual two-day diversity conference.
Throughout his career, Bill has held executive level positions in the telecommunications, insurance and educational consulting industries. He has received various awards including the Chairman’s Leadership Award - Diversity Champions, Corporate Innovation Award, Outstanding Achiever in Business & Industry and Outstanding MBA of the Year. Bill currently serves on various boards and as a mentor/coach for the purpose of enhancing the development and advancement of diverse business professionals in the corporate, non-profit and public sectors. Long Island University, MBA, 1983
Audrey Dillard Hines, Board Vice Chair/Development, is President of Dillard Hines & Associates, a human resources and diversity consulting firm. Her specific areas of expertise include talent acquisition, organizational development, strategy development, succession planning, compliance, employee relations, team building, conflict resolution, change management, and executive/management coaching. In 2004, she received the NBMBAA Helping Hands Award at the national conference in Houston, Texas. Audrey’s civic affiliations include Women with Heart – Morehouse School of Medicine, Homestretch of Roswell, YWCA of Greater Atlanta – Academy of Women Achievers, Leadership Atlanta Class of 1999, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and the Links, Incorporated. Pepperdine University, MBA, 1982
Dimitrius Martel Hutcherson, Board Treasurer. Dimitrius M. Hutcherson works for Deloitte Services, LP as the National IT Service Management Leader in IT Business Operations. In this role, he is responsible for driving continuous improvement across Information Technology Services. He directs efforts to implement new processes and programs intended to drive cultural change within the IT organization. Dimitrius also leads the Process Office, consisting of individuals responsible for the development, tracking and improvement of ITS services. He leads process change within the IT organization to improve efficiency, effectiveness, cost reduction and maximize the use of capabilities within existing technology to enhance business value and customer service.
Dimitrius has previously worked as an independent consultant to companies in the areas of operations, six sigma quality and productivity, performance improvement, turnaround management, strategic planning, project management and business development.
Dimitrius is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association, is a member of various technology, finance and community boards and has served as a professor and guest lecturer at several educational institutions.
Dimitrius earned a BA degree in Finance, cum laude, at Morehouse College and a MBA in Finance and Business Strategy from the Harvard Business School. Harvard Business School, MBA, 1995
Alvin Brown most recently served as the Senior Advisor on Urban Policy to Presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton. In this role he was Senator Clinton’s lead surrogate on urban affairs, developed her policies in this area and was the primary political strategist and advisor for the Senator on urban affairs. Prior to joining Senator Clinton’s campaign, Brown served as the Executive Director of the Bush/Clinton Katrina Fund’s Interfaith Fund. Alvin served as President and CEO of the Willie Gary Classic Foundation, Chairman of the Board of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), and senior member of the Clinton-Gore Administration beginning in 1993. Alvin was also co-chair of the White House Task Force on Livable Communities focusing on urban sprawl and smart growth. He held a number of key positions within the Administration, including Senior Advisor to the late Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and Senior Advisor to former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Andrew Cuomo. Brown is the recipient of the Fredrick Douglas Award from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the Excellence in Community Service Award from 100 Black Men of America, the distinguished Award for Government Services from the National Baptist Convention, and the Chairman’s Award from the Congressional Black Caucus. In addition, the National Black MBA Association honored Brown with the prestigious H. Naylor Fitzhugh Award. Jacksonville University, MBA, 1989
Thomas W. Dortch, Jr., is Chairman Emeritus of 100 Black Men of America, Inc. and Chairman and CEO of TWD, Inc., a consulting firm with emphasis on business development, public relations and fundraising. In 1978, Thomas began working in the U.S. Senate providing technical assistance at conferences, meetings, and public hearings. In 1990, he became the State Director and served as Chief Administrator over five field offices and one state office. He was the first African-American to serve in this capacity for the United States Senate. Some of his other accomplishments include: establishing the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. co-founding the Georgia Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (GAME), co-founding the Greater Atlanta Economic Alliance. Thomas is involved in a number of social and civic endeavors which include the national Drug Free Communities Act Advisory Commission, the Sickle Cell foundation of Georgia, the Black/Jewish Coalition, and the National Assault on Illiteracy Board. He has had guest appearances on C-Span, the Montel Williams Show, Talk Back Atlanta, CNN, and so on. Thomas was listed as one of the 100 most influential Black leaders in the 2004 issue of Ebony magazine and the 2004 publication of The Atlanta Business Chronicle. Clark-Atlanta University, MA, 1986
Leonard James, III U.S. Business Development Manager, ExxonMobil Fuels Marketing Company is responsible for retailer diversity, including development and implementation of initiatives to increase the number of minority retailers. He is also responsible for positioning ExxonMobil's corporate image and the Exxon and Mobil brands within ethnic communities in major metropolitan areas where ExxonMobil markets fuel products. Currently, he serves on the steering committee and is president of the Black Employee Success Team (BEST) and is an advisor to the Global Organization for the Advancement of Latinos (GOAL). Leonard has been active with numerous professional and civic organizations including: the Advisory Board and former vice-president of operations of the NBMBAA - Houston Chapter, the Corporate Advisory Board of Directors for the League of United Latin America Citizens (LULAC), the Board of Directors of the National Civil Rights Museum, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Board of Directors, a life member of the National Black MBA Association (NBMBAA), a subscribing silver life member of the NAACP, a Buffalo Soldier trooper; and member of the 100 Black Men of America. Louisiana State University, MBA, 1980
Stephen C. Lewis, former National President (1994-1997), is currently Director, Strategic Planning and Manufacturing Executive Office of the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. Steve is responsible for product sourcing by assembly plant, rationalization plans, deployment of efficiencies plan and labor plans vs. plant requirements. He is also in charge of approval of spending requirements for overall manufacturing. Steve has been an active member of the NBMBAA since 1978. He served as Co-Director of the National Scholarship program and Chair of the National Foundation Committee. Steve was instrumental in establishing the NBMBAA/Graduate Management Admission Council partnership. He also served as President of the Detroit Chapter, has been instrumental in new chapter development and the formation of the association’s national office and served as national Vice President from 1986-1989. Steve received the MBA of the Year award in 1990 and has been a NBMBAA Lifetime Member since 1988. Marquette University, MBA, 1975
Kandance Weems Norris is a partner at Cumby + Weems LLP. She has several years of experience practicing corporate and real estate law and has completed major commercial and residential transactions representing large corporations and high net worth individuals in acquisitions, dispositions, financings, development and leasing activities. She has also advised small and start-up businesses on corporate and real estate matters involving organization and deal structuring; partnership, joint venture and limited liability company formation; and general corporate issues. As a student, Kandance was elected Vice President of the Harvard Law Review and Education Committee Representative at Harvard Business School. She also volunteered with the Harvard Defenders Project, the Street Law Clinic and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She is currently a member of the bar in New York and Washington, DC and also serves as pro bono attorney to The Achievement Project, a program that enhances the education and social development of minority students. Harvard Law School & Harvard Business School, J.D. / MBA, 1996
Quentin Roach is Senior Vice President & Chief Procurement Officer at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company where he is responsible for global leadership of supplier relationship management, company-wide expenditures, and implementation of supply chain strategies. He was previously with Bausch & Lomb Inc., where he held positions as Vice President - Global Customer Strategy, Vice President – Global Supply Chain/Global Sourcing & Procurement and Vice President – Global Packaging Engineering. Quentin has been involved in a number of organizations and boards, including Advisory Board Member for Arizona State University - W.P. Carey College of Business-MBA Programs, The Institute for Supply Management - Editorial Review Board, Garth Fagan Dance Company, The Center for Youth Services, and the National Advisory Board for the Arts Visitation Program. He was named as a recipient of the Rochester Business Journal’s "40 Under Forty" - recognizing the top 40 young leaders for achievements in professional and civic leadership. He is a lifetime member of the National Black MBA Association and has served as a guest lecturer for the Executive Development Institute and Student Case Competition Judge. Arizona State University, MS, 1992
Keith R. Wyche is President of CUB Foods, a $3 billion retail grocery chain, part of the $43 billion SUPERVALU family of grocery store banners. In this role, he directs the activities of over 8,000 associates in driving sales and satisfying customers through continued marketing, merchandising and operational excellence. Prior to this role, he served as President of U.S. Operations for Pitney Bowes Management Services. As a seasoned executive with over thirty years of experience at companies such as IBM, AT&T and Ameritech, Keith felt the need to move beyond “Success to Significance” by writing his first book, “Good Is Not Enough: And Other Unwritten Rules for Minority Professionals” published in July 2008 by PenguinUSA. In January 2009, his book was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, as an Outstanding Literary Work. He is a graduate of Cleveland State University and Baldwin-Wallace College, and serves on the Board of Directors for both the National Black MBA Association and the Executive Leadership Council. However, his passion is sharing his message of “Self Empowerment” with young professionals everywhere. Baldwin-Wallace College, MBA, 1986
Arcilia C. Acosta is President & CEO of CARCON Industries and Construction, STL Engineers. In 2003, Arcilia founded Southwestern Testing Laboratories (STL Engineers), geotechnical engineering, construction materials testing and environmental consulting firm based in Dallas. Arcilia has been featured in many state and national publications including Latino Leaders, Latina Style Magazine, Enterprise Latinos, Engineering News Record, Construction Today, Diversity Texas, Women’s Enterprise, Minority Business News – Texas, and the Dallas Morning News. She was also selected twice by the Dallas Minority Business Journal as one of the “40 under 40”, forty up and coming professional executives under 40 years of age. In 2007, Public Broadcasting Services (PBS) produced and featured a 30 minute documentary featuring Arcilia during National Women’s History Month.
Arcilia has been awarded the “Texas Hispanic Business Woman of the Year” and received the “National AFLAC Civic Award” in 2007. In May 2008, she was recognized as one of the “Most Influential and Powerful Women in Texas” by Texas Diversity Magazine. In 2009 Arcilia was awarded the “Texas Diversity First Award” by Texas Diversity Magazine. This same year in July, the Dallas Business Journal named her one of the “Top 25 Women Change Makers”.
John Peoples is the President and General Manager of S. C. Johnson and Son, Limited where he is responsible for all of the company’s operations in Canada. Prior to SC Johnson, John spent more than ten years as Managing Partner for Global Lead Management Consulting, a full service management and marketing consulting firm specializing in diversity and inclusion. John began his career with the Procter and Gamble company where he worked on several well know household brands. In 1994, he was named one of Advertising Age’s Marketing 100 based on his work on Pantene Hair Care products.
John serves as his company’s designee on several industry association boards including: Canadian Chemical Specialty Products Association, Food and Consumer Products of Canada, and Corporations Supporting Recycling. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for Catalyst Canada.
John is committed to serving others and has devoted significant energy and attention to several not-for-profit organizations. He is currently a trustee for the Brantford (ON) General Hospital Foundation and The University of Virginia College Foundation. John also serves on the Advisory Board for the Toronto Chapter of the National Black MBA Association.
Gena L. Ashe is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of the Public Broadcasting Service (“PBS”) where she is responsible for providing counsel and support across PBS on all legal matters affecting the enterprise and its more than 300 member stations nation-wide, and for advising PBS senior executives and employees on corporate law, transactions, intellectual property, litigation and other substantive legal areas of import to the public broadcasting service. In addition to her current position on the Board of the NBMBAA, Gena has served on numerous community based boards and is currently active in many civic and professional organizations including the American Corporate Counsel Association, the Charting Your Own Course Foundation, Corporate Counsel Women of Color, The Links, Inc., Jack and Jill of America, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Georgetown University Law Center, JD
Kim Seymour is the Vice President of Executive Talent Management at American Express where she is responsible for directing American Express’ human capital strategy for the executive population globally. In this role, she works to develop and deploy the company’s senior-most leaders and deliver against key talent capability needs for future growth.
Prior to joining American Express, Kim spent 2 years with Home Depot and 9 years with General Electric in Appliances, Capital and Energy in positions of increasing responsibility.
Her leadership has extended to acquisitions, talent assessment, organizational design, performance management, compensation strategy, and coaching/counseling. Throughout her career, her focus has been on building world-class teams and ensuring that development, structure, compensation, staffing and processes enable the teams’ growth plans.
In addition to serving as an adjunct professor of Human Resource metrics at New York University, Kim has also delivered workshops on career-pathing, leadership development and HR legalities nationally and internationally. Vanderbilt University, JD, 1995 and Indiana University, MBA, 1997