March 15, 2005

“President Jay Gogue’s challenge to raise the percent of dollars spent with state-certified minority- and women-owned vendors from the 11.37 percent to 18 percent at UH has served to energize and reinvigorate the HUB program,” said Dick Nill, HUB program director.

To attain the new goal, UH must raise its spending with HUBs from $12.9 million to $20.7 million, according to Nill.

In response to that challenge, Nill and Sandra G. Webb, program coordinator, have developed a comprehensive plan, which includes the creation and campus-wide distribution of a HUB Vendor Directory. The plan also calls for raising participation of HUBs involved in major projects from 24 to 30 percent and expanding the use of HUBs as subcontractors in major construction and renovation.

The annual HUB Vendor Fair also is instrumental in reaching UH’s new goal. The fair is scheduled for 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, in Farish Hall’s Kiva Room.

“The fair will give the campus community the opportunity to meet more than 30 HUB suppliers of various products and services,” Nill said.

He added that his office is working with key suppliers of high volume commodities, such as computers and industrial supplies, to establish dealers/resellers that will allow the purchase of these items from HUB vendors.

“One example of this is the recently developed relationship between Today’s Business Solutions, which is a HUB vendor, and OfficeMax, which was recently purchased by Boise Cascade, UH’s major supplier of office products,” Nill explained.

Nill’s office also has established a university-wide HUB team. The team will review regularly the university’s progress and develop additional resources.

He added that he believes the campus community will continue to support the HUB program and that UH should reach its goal this year, if all goes as planned.

Francine Parker
fparker@central.uh.edu