Along with owning North America’s largest interstate natural gas pipeline system, the El Paso Corporation provides natural gas and related energy products in a safe, efficient, and dependable manner. The energy supply company noted for taking ideas from the possible to the actual, can also boast about the fact, that NBMBAA member, Paul Guillory, is an integral part of the company’s success. Providing products and services that are so vital to the American way of life has been Guillory’s passion and personal claim’s to fame his more than 30 -year -career in the energy business. “We drill the wells … and we take it downstream so you can fill up and/or light you stove,” explains the executive. Rolling out spoke with him in Houston about his involvement with the NBMBAA Houston chapter. –roz edward
About the NBMBAA…
They pride themselves on building both intellectual and financial wealth in the African American community. I have been a member since to mid-80s and I have found it to be one of the best networking organization’s around. I come more or less to connect people, but I find myself more or less like a conduit, and it’s not so much what I am getting but I will connect A to C , so many times it’s an opportunity for me to give. Other than that there are great people here [in the organization].
The value of membership…
They pride themselves on education … and you don’t have to have an MBA to be a member. It’s an opportunity for professionals and entrepreneurs to come together and network, and that’s the value. I have been in corporate America my whole career, and I had to find the NBMBAA because many times in corporate America you find that you’re not connected to the culture and [African Americans] are not a majority at all.
Diversity …
The NBMBAA is an organization who even though the focus is on African American empowerment, both intellectual and the building or wealth, the organization is raising the exposure of those of us who possess certain skills that are needed in corporate America. The NBMBAA partners a lot with corporations across the country and are making them aware that we are a resource for them. So they are recognizing that diversity is a advantage. … We act as a beacon and shine the light on African Americans who are capable and qualified to do the job.
