Local entrepreneur excited to partner with UT to promote minority-owned businesses

October 18, 2012 | Features, UToday
By Brian Purdue



The University of Toledo continues to embrace diversity, partnering with a number of area businesses via Supply UT, an ongoing effort encouraging local minority-owned businesses to offer their services to the institution and promote themselves locally.

Milton McIntyre owns Peak Electric Inc., one of the University’s partnered businesses.

Milton McIntyre, owner of Peak Electric Inc., one of the University’s partnered businesses, believes the effort expressed through Supply UT is encouraging and shows the institution’s commitment to doing more business with its approved vendors.

The program is led by the Office of Equity, Diversity and Community Engagement in the External Affairs Division and is part of The University of Toledo’s Minority Business Development Center’s effort to offer assistance to early-stage, minority-owned companies by providing office space, training, mentoring and networking opportunities.

“The University of Toledo is proud to partner with this successful minority business,” said Dr. Shanda Gore, associate vice president for equity, diversity and community engagement. “Our continued relationship with Peak Electric has been extremely promising and continues to contribute to our mission.”

The four-employee Peak Electric has operated for 10 years — nine years as an electrical contractor and within the last year as a supply distributor for electrical materials to a number of customers, including the construction industry, local government and other large institutions.

“The advancements made through the center with Peak Electric have a positive effect on all levels of business,” said Lawrence J. Burns, vice president for external affairs. “Mr. McIntyre is building the economic strength in our local community by way of his company, and his participation is encouraging others in the community to be involved.”

McIntyre is no stranger when it comes to giving back to the community; he offers much of his time to mentor minority business leaders, coach elementary dodgeball, and support Yell & Tell: Stop Child Abuse Now Inc.

“We look forward to teaming up and working with UT for our future growth,” said McIntyre while talking about his optimism for the future despite witnessing many fluctuations and challenges in the industry during his 26-year career.

Further information and a list of all the businesses involved with the Minority Business Development Center can be found at utoledo.edu/incubator/mbdc.

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