The Supplier Diversity Development Council Welcomes Three New Board Members

TRENTON, NEW JERSEY – January 13, 2021 – The Supplier Diversity Development Council (SDDC) recently welcomed three new board members. Cristina Pinzon, Maddie Chandran, and David Earp are the newest members of the council. These individuals have demonstrated their commitment to minority, women, and veteran owned businesses and will assist the SDDC to enhance economic growth in these communities.

Cristina Pinzon is the president and founder of Stateside Affairs, a minority and woman-owned public and government relations company based in New Jersey. She brings more than 15 years of media and government experience, having worked for several high-profile organizations including the State of New Jersey, NBC, News 12, and United Way. Currently, she serves as an executive board member for the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SHCC), acting as the voice to 120,000 Latino businesses and contributing more than $20 billion to the state economy. The SHCC has been ranked No. 1 on the NJBIZ Chambers of Commerce list for three consecutive years. Cristina earned a broadcast journalism degree from Montclair State University. Connect with Cristina on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cristinapinzon

Maddie Chandran is the Managing Partner at r6catalyst. With over 18 years of experience in strategic planning, business development and marketing in the United States, Japan, and India, Maddie understands that business strategy is an ongoing dynamic process that envelopes culture, leadership, values, environment, processes and people. Prior to joining r6, Maddie worked with various firms in the A/E/C industry including PB and STV. She brought organization and structure to general contracting firms of various sizes and greatly contributed to their strong business growth and expansion. Her roles have included envisioning and implementing business strategies, creating marketing plans & compelling material, and process improvements. Maddie has an MBA in International Business from the prestigious Symbiosis International University in India. Connect with Maddie on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maddiechandran

David Earp is the President of Walker Diving Underwater Construction LLC as well as President of the company’s Walker Cutting Services division. He brings decades of construction experience, including marine construction in particular, and formerly served as a Naval Officer with experience as a Navy SEAL, Navy Diving and Salvage Officer, and Navy Surface Warfare Officer. David also serves on the Executive Board of Directors for the New Jersey State Veterans Chamber of Commerce in addition to serving as a trustee of the Construction Contractors of New Jersey. He earned his MBA in General Management from Dartmouth College and his bachelor’s degree in Ocean Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Connect with David on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/davidearp

The combined skills and relationships Cristina, Maddie, and David offer will complement the existing council members’ on the SDDC and will expand the work of the organization. The SDDC serves as a resource to identify “best practices” and to promote related support activities and seminars for both companies and M/W/SDVBEs. In order to enhance the advancement of mutual goals, the SDDC promotes the adoption of “best practices” and processes that provide equal access for M/W/SDVBEs to companies. The SDDC’s commitment to its mission will enhance supplier diversity amongst New Jersey companies, resulting in the development of a strong economy and a productive environment for the growth of business throughout the state.

About the Supplier Diversity Development Council (SDDC)

The SDDC is dedicated to forging effective working relationships amongst minority, women, veteran and service disabled veteran owned businesses (M/W/SDVBEs) and New Jersey public utilities and the Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) on matters relating to methods of reporting, measuring, and assessing the development of these relationships. For more information about the SDDC, visit www.njbpusupplierdiversity.com.