The National Certification and Training Center is a Division of Wilson Resources Inc. WRI’s awards/recognition include:
Recipient of the United States Business Leadership Network 2009 Exceptional Leadership Award “Partner of the Year”
Selected as one of 600 woman-owned businesses nationwide to participate in the Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence, Sam’s Club 600
Corporate CEO Completed in 2009 The Disney Institute’s 5-day course, Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence
Corporate CEO and Vice President are Certified Mental Health First Aid Instructors, a program of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare
Corporate CEO is a Member of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Tampa Class of 2010
Corporate CEO is on the National APSE: The Network on Employment Board of Directors, June 2004 to Present
Corporate CEO is listed in the International Presidential Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers, 2009 Edition
Corporate CEO Received the 2004 Businesswoman of the Year and 2003 National Leadership Award, presented by the National Republican Congressional Committee, Business Advisory Council
WRI is a Florida Certified Minority Business Enterprise (Women-Owned)
WRI is certified with the U.S. Government as a “Small, Woman-Owned Business”
“The whole experience of being evaluated for distinction as a disability friendly business was a very positive one for CSX. In the process of completing the application and taking a very close look at the required dimensions, we saw that there were a number of areas where we really could improve. Based on this, we worked to make some positive changes in our work environment and added a number of automatic door openers to our facility. We also increased our education efforts and conducted more training on disability etiquette for our workforce, and we’re working to produce some new multimedia courses that will soon be available on this topic. In addition, we worked to establish a new employee network group for persons with disabilities called “The Able”.”
From Margaret Downey, Director, Recruiting and Staffing, CSX: Transportation/Trucking/Railroad Industry
“My organization had a very positive experience in its evaluation as a disability friendly business. The process of completing the assessment tool made us much more aware of the challenges people with disabilities face on a daily basis. The tool also reinforced actions we had taken with recent physical changes to our facility and educated members of our team on web site accessibility. Areas where we fell short were noted and will be considered as opportunities for improvement as we move forward. We are proud to have participated in pilot and in my role as FCBLN President, I am pleased to be able to encourage the use of the assessment tool to those companies focused on diversity and inclusion, including inclusion of those individuals who just happen to have a disability.”
From Chris Oakley, President, First Coast Business Leadership Network (FCBLN)
“I am the current president of the Miami Dade Business Leadership Network. I have had the opportunity to work with Wilson Resources as the consultant to the BLN for almost 6 years. I can attest to the competence and professionalism of Wilson Resources and without question I can say that the BLN would not exist without the organization and management skills provided by Wilson Resources.”
Robert Friedman, President, Miami Dade Business Leadership Network, and Partner, Holland + Knight LLP
“In my role as a First Coast Business Leadership Network member and more recently President, I have been fortunate to work with Wilson Resources. These “social entrepreneurs” have provided a foundation of outstanding administrative and organizational support that has allowed me and other BLN members to focus on the strategic aspects of our work. Simply put, our success is directly related to the phenomenal passion and assistance provided by Wilson Resources.”
Chris Oakley, President, First Coast Business Leadership Network
“Without Wilson Resources, Inc. the Tampa Bay Business Leadership Network would not exist. Their unwavering support, insight, enthusiasm and experience created a perfect storm of synergy that helped our chapter go from 6 members to over one hundred and growing in a very short period of time. We couldn’t do it without them.”
JoJo Ruby-White, President, Tampa Bay Metro Business Leadership Network, and Office Manager, PVX Delivery
“Wilson Resources, Inc. has provided the parachute necessary for us – the Big Bend Business Leadership Network – to function and even to be able to carry on with our mission during these very trying economic times. Their professionalism, responsiveness and proactive attention to the detail required for our organization to succeed are noteworthy and a sound testament to their recognition by the U.S. Business Leadership Network as the recipient of the “Partner of the Year” 2009 Exceptional Leadership Award.”
Cecilia A. Lopez Q., President, Big Bend Business Leadership Network, and Global Contracts Administrator, Aderant
“Wilson Resources, Inc. provides the Polk County Business Leadership Network exceptional technical and administrative support. WRI’s commitment to the Polk County BLN’s mission is unwavering. WRI has made my role as president of the Polk County BLN so much easier—they are always ready and willing to assist. WRI has acquired a welcomed and warm sensitivity to Polk County’s growing untapped workforce – those workers with disabilities.”
Richard Pellegrini, President, Polk County Business Leadership Network, and President, Pilgrim Associates
“I had the pleasure to work with Wilson Resources, Inc. (WRI) in expanding the employment of people with disabilities during my tenure as director of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). I was able to share the data from WRI’s March 2002 report, Survey of the Employment Needs and Goals of Individuals with Developmental Disabilities, to Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida legislature. The report prompted me to set a five-year goal for APD to annually expand by five percent the number of people served by my agency who became employed in the community.
WRI assisted APD in applying for a federal Medicaid Infrastructure Grant (MIG). One of the most exciting aspects of Florida’s MIG is the six Business Leadership Networks (BLNs) sustained and created by WRI. With APD’s assistance, Governor Jeb Bush keynoted four BLN kick-offs reaching more than 1,000 business and community leaders. The employer-to employer networks created by the BLNs are changing employers’ attitudes and opening their doors to qualified Floridians with disabilities.
Wilson Enterprises has always been my “lucky penny” to the most successful and broad reaching reforms to promote the quality of life for individuals with disabilities and creating “win-win” opportunities for businesses and public organizations. I have had the pleasure of working in the private, public and non-profit sectors for over 20 years and Wilson Resources sets the standard for quality, integrity and highly innovative approaches to promote best practices- engaging private businesses, non profits and persons with disabilities to work together on common goals leading to amazing communities.”
Shelly Brantley, Former Director, Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities
“It was very exciting for UCP of East Central Florida to be selected as one of the three MIG Technical Assistance projects in Florida. Our organization’s involvement in the MIG project has energized our Adult Day Training Specialists to actively engage the individuals we support to explore their abilities and interests and taught them how to utilize those attributes to pursue and secure community based employment. The training has resulted in many of our staff becoming certified Employment Specialists which has been tremendously empowering for them. Leslie Wilson was knowledgeable, motivating and an excellent trainer!”
Barry Pollack, Board Chairman for the Florida Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, and President/CEO, United Cerebral Palsy of East Central Florida
“Thank you for the great Supported Employment training of the past two days. All of us at JOBSMART greatly appreciated your in depth coverage and strategies for helping our job seekers achieve success. Thanks for allowing us to express our opinions in a safe and fun filled environment. I look forward to further trainings and input from you as we move down the path to total employment for our important customers!”
Glenn Alterman, Director Supported Employment, JOBSMART
• “Training was so well done, very personal and FULL of information.”
• “Excellent training, especially for those new to employment services and marketing. Would love for trainer to do more trainings.”
• Well done, good training for even experienced staff. You can teach “Old dogs” new tricks!”