ATLANTA, Oct. 26, 2003 - Jackie Thornton, president of Global Marketing & PR, has been elected as the regional MBEIC (Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee) leader for the southeastern region of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). The southeastern region of NMSDC includes: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. MBEIC leaders who represent councils in the southeast elected Thornton to lead the region.

Thornton believes NMSDC serves an important role to link MBE companies with corporations and government agencies. Thornton said, "I will continue to focus on NMSDC's mission to expand business opportunities for minority-owned companies, and encourage economic links."

Thornton was elected as the MBEIC chairperson of the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council (GMSDC) in December 2001. She will continue to serve as MBEIC chairperson and a member of GMSDC's Board of Directors until December 31, 2003. Effective January 1, 2004, Thornton will begin a two-year term as the southeastern Regional MBEIC vice chair.

NMSDC is a premier national organization. NMSDC has 39 regional councils across the country. These regional councils certify companies as being minority-owned. There are 3,500 corporate members, including many Fortune 500 companies, and over 15,000 minority-owned companies. Seven thousand people were expected to attend the national conference in Chicago that began on October 26, 2003.

Global Marketing and PR Inc. is a MBE company that offers event planning, marketing and public relations services. Global Marketing & PR is also a participant in the Governor's Mentor Protégé program.