NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: October 26, 2007

Albany Convention Center Authority Names Community Liaison & Compliance Consultant

ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 26, 2007) – Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA) Executive Director, Duncan Stewart Today Announced The Decision of The ACCA Board To Hire The Community Liaison & Compliance Consultant.

Deborah Williams-Muhammad Associates, LLC (DWM), a local NYS Certified MWBE firm, has been selected. DWM's Management team brings longtime experience and a thorough understanding of the local community and its needs. DWM is integrated with specialists and professionals, including FMG Enterprises a NYS Certified MBE firm specializing in contract compliance and construction and facility management. The teams' expertise includes program assessment & development, community and public relations, business development, fundraising, construction and facilities management, all skills that will be helpful in its role with the ACCA.

"DWM Associates and Deborah Williams Muhammad are a welcome addition to our team of consultants and will fulfill an important role going forward to maximize the benefit to the community that can come from the convention center project" Duncan Stewart said, in confirming the decision of the Board after the Authority's monthly meeting at the Harold L. Joyce Albany County Office Building. He added that "By contracting directly with DWM Associates to provide the compliance piece the ACCA is much better able to monitor the outcome"

As the Community Liaison and Compliance consultant, DWM will work closely with the Construction Manager, Gilbane/BBL, the Architectural design team, HNTB, the soon to be selected convention center and hotel operator(s) and ACCA staff. This selection will help the ACCA to further develop its Community Benefits Program, in keeping with the commitment as outlined in the Affirmative Action & Economic Inclusion Plan.

Chair of the ACCA Board's Community Benefits Focus Group, L. Lloyd Stewart states, "The Authority's commitment to economic inclusion has to be followed by socially conscious activities and programs that will benefit the local community. Deborah Williams-Muhammad and her company have already helped the Authority to lay the foundation to make that possible." ACCA board Chairman George Leveille said, "Deborah has been invaluable in the development of the Affirmative Action/Economic Inclusion Plan and we look forward to continuing the good working relationship".

The Albany Convention Center Authority was organized in 2006 as a public benefit corporation under the New York State Public Authorities Act. The authority was created to meet an immediate need to institute a comprehensive, coordinated program of convention activities in the City of Albany. The ACCA is to provide the City of Albany with the ability to develop, renovate and undertake economic development projects in the historic downtown area to optimize the economic and social activities of city and its environs.

End of ACCA Press Release Dated 10-26-07

MEDIA CONTACT:

Duncan Stewart
Albany Convention Center Authority
518-275-4920, ext. 1
dstewart@accany.com
www.accany.com

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