Division 12 Consulting Announces New Advisory Board

Division 12 Consulting, LLC, a minority owned contract furnishings company headquartered in Alabama, announced today the new D12 Advisory Board
Division 12 Consulting is thrilled to announce the formation of our Advisory Board, which will be a significant step toward leveraging expertise and enhancing strategic direction. This move is designed to provide collaborative guidance and strategic insights. We are pleased to welcome Michael Washington as Chairman, with Margaret Jones and Judd Levenson joining as esteemed board members.
The Advisory Board will play a pivotal role in scaling our business across emerging sectors, including corporate, institutional, educational (K-12), commercial, and governmental markets. This carefully structured board is committed to applying best practice principles, enabling our organization to refine strategic thinking and tap into valuable expertise and connections.

We look forward to the impactful contributions of our Advisory Board members and their support in driving our continued success.

Division 12 Consulting announces becoming an awarded vendor through the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative

Division 12 Consulting is an Awarded Vendor through the TIPS Purchasing Cooperative. As an Awarded Vendor, Division 12 Consulting offers TIPS Members the opportunity to purchase FF & E products at discounted pricing without the delay and expense of going out to bid. Through the TIPS program, Division 12 Consulting is able to save agencies both time and money.

Becoming an awarded vendor through the TIPS (The Interlocal Purchasing System) purchasing cooperative signifies recognition of their expertise and the quality of their offerings. It’s a significant milestone that will enhance their credibility and visibility in the market

Celebrating Excellence: 2024 Gold Plus Dealer Status with Kimball International/National

This status is a testament to our commitment to excellence in various aspects of our business, including sales, design, marketing, operations, leadership and overall business performance.  It reflects D12’s exceptional performance, dedication to quality, and strong partnership with Kimball International/National. This recognition underscores the commitment to excellence and sets D12 apart as a leader in the industry. We are also proud to be acknowledged for our dedication to our community and sustainability efforts.

The recognition of D12 employees has the backbone of the organization, and their hard work and dedication have clearly been instrumental in achieving this recognition. It’s a testament to their commitment to excellence and their passion for what they do. Their commitment to excellence in every aspect of our business has been instrumental in helping us achieve this milestone. We would also like to thank our clients and partners for their trust and support!

Division 12 2023 Client Appreciation & Business Mixer

Tuskegee receives $250,000 in lighting equipment from minority firm

June 29, 2023

Division 12 Consulting logo image
  

Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing

Montgomery-based Division 12 Consulting partnered with local businesses to donate $250,000 worth of lighting and equipment to Tuskegee University.

The electrical and LED lighting, lighting parts, electrical ballasts and bulbs will be used on campus to enhance the student experience and increase safety when students return in the fall.

“Our focus on student safety and campus enhancement projects will benefit from the generosity and support by Division 12 Consulting,” said Dr. Charlotte P. Morris. “We are always grateful when small businesses find creative ways to support the university. As a minority-owned business, we can see that their efforts align with the university mission. We appreciate their support.”

Light pole on campus
  

Division 12 Consulting, a minority owned contract furnishings company, represents the finest furniture manufacturers in the contract furnishings industry. Headquartered in Montgomery with sales staff in Birmingham, Huntsville and Atlanta, Division 12 Consulting specializes in providing sales and service throughout the state of Alabama as well as the nation.

“Division 12 works with HBCUs all of the country and considers themselves a partner instead of just a vendor,” said Christopher Washington, president of Division 12. “It is our duty as a small business to uplift where we can because we have an obligation to the younger generation of students.”

© 2023 Tuskegee University

https://www.tuskegee.edu/news/tuskegee-receives-250000-in-lighting-equipment-from-minority-firm

$90 million Montgomery Whitewater park offers rafting, kayaking, food, music, beer, and more

The rafting guides already have nicknames for the rapids at Montgomery Whitewater park, which is holding its grand opening this weekend.

Those include Sweet Caroline, waves that make a sound like the distinctive “bah-bah-bah” in the chorus of the Neil Diamond classic. There’s Curly, Larry, and Moe. And there’s Baptism.

Rafting Operations Manager Anthony Lopez said those are among the most challenging waves in Montgomery Whitewater’s Competition Channel, which has Class IV rapids.

Montgomery Whitewater’s other waterway, the 2,200-foot Adventure Channel, is more laid-back, with Class II rapids. Both channels offer rafting and kayaking.

The park opened Friday with Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, and other public officials speaking at a ceremony and cutting a ribbon.

The grand opening continues through Sunday. There is plenty to enjoy in the 120-acre park in addition to the whitewater activities. There’s a restaurant, an outdoor bar, walkways, yoga, and vendors. There will be live music Friday night.

Admission to the park is free, but there will be a $10 parking fee this weekend. There are fees for the rafting and kayaking. The park is next to Maxwell Air Force Base and about a mile from downtown.

“This park will have a transformational impact on the quality of life right here in the River Region,” Sewell said.

“This is a great day for Montgomery, it’s a great day for the River Region and it’s a great day for Alabama,” Reed said.

The park cost about $90 million to build, according to the Montgomery Advertiser, and created about 120 jobs.

“It’s more than what I expected it to be,” Holmes said. “And it’s beautiful. I’m proud of the city for doing this. I think it’s much needed. And people I believe will come once they find out. You’ve got music out here and all kinds of space where the kids can come. It’s a no-brainer. It’s just nice. I love it. I absolutely love it.”
Holmes said she has no plans to try rafting. But she said families will enjoy the park even if they do not do the whitewater rides.
“I won’t because I can’t swim,” she said. “If I could swim I’d be rafting away. I really would. I’m just excited that our city has decided to do this.”

Lopez said he has worked at whitewater parks in Auckland, New Zealand, Charlotte, N.C., and Oklahoma.

“This one is world class,” Lopez said.

Lopez believes the park has the right mix of activities and atmosphere.

“The model of whitewater, live music, and beer, that business model, people love those things,” Lopez said. “People love being around the water. There’s something magnetic about it.

“And having that combination, that business model, will definitely draw people. It might take a minute for them to find it. But once they find it, I think they’ll fall in love with it.”

He said raft rides take about 90 minutes, including the safety instructions and other preparations, with a full hour on the water. The rafts can carry up to six people, not counting the guide. Every raft has a guide. Lopez said guides are needed because of the complicated currents and eddies.

“If you’re in a raft and you get caught in a hard eddy, you’re not going to be able to get out if you don’t have a guide telling you how to do it,” Lopez said.

But the others in the raft are not just passengers.

“You’re not sitting, you’re paddling,” Lopez said. “So the guide is controlling his crew, telling them when to paddle, when not to paddle. Telling when there’s dangerous spots.”

Although Montgomery Whitewater is now open, the project is not finished. More activities are planned as part of another phase of development. That is expected to include rock climbing, mountain biking, rope courses, and access to the Alabama River for kayaking and paddle boarding. An on-site hotel and retail stores are also planned, according to Montgomery Whitewater.

Funding for the the park, including the taxpayers’ share, has not been without controversy, party because of rising costs. When the park was announced in 2019, the estimated cost was $50 million. Construction began two years ago.

This year, Gov. Kay Ivey proposed allocating $25 million of a $2 billion education budget surplus to the Montgomery County Commission for the project. The Legislature did not approve that but did allocate $5 million from the state General Fund to the county commission for Montgomery Whitewater.

“We can all stand up here and smile today but it hasn’t been all smiles,” Montgomery Mayor Reed said during today’s program. “That’s the nature of progress. Progress is pushing forward. It is never just one straight line. It takes some hills and valleys.”

https://www.al.com/news/2023/07/90-million-montgomery-whitewater-park-offers-rafting-kayaking-food-music-beer-and-more.html

Commonwealth National Bank Welcomes Christopher Washington to the Board of Directors

March 06, 2023
Commonwealth National Bank welcomes Christopher Washington to the Board of Directors.  Mr. Washington is the President of Division 12 Consulting headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama with an office in Montgomery, Alabama.  Mr. Washington looks forward to working with the people and businesses of the Gulf Coast.

Division 12 Christmas Party

The Supply Chain’s Effects on the Furniture Industry and Student Housing – with the Division 12 Team

We all know about the supply chain issue. Manufacturers, companies, and even individual buyers know they’re more susceptible to issues receiving their products than ever before. But what is the impact on the furniture and student housing industries?

Division 12 is a minority-owned contract furnishings company, representing the finest manufacturers in the contract furnishings industry. President Christopher Washington is joined on the podcast today by Vice President of Account Management and Product Management, Nathan Re, Director of Marketing and Sales, Judd Levinson, and Director of Interior Design and Project Management, Cathy Brown.

On today’s episode of Student Housing Matters, host Brittany Pieper sits down with the team from Division Twelve to discuss furniture industry trends, the supply chain issue, and how student housing can be better prepared for the challenges ahead.

Listen in to learn more about how issues in the supply chain impact student housing!

Topics Covered

Background on Division 12 and all four guests on the shows

Current problems for industry manufacturers due to the supply chain issues and the impact it’s having on the industry

The significant price increases from 2020 to 2021 in manufacturing and shipping

How material shortages have affected the furniture industry and student housing

Logistics problems and the causes of the foam shortage and the impact it’s leaving on the furniture industry

Juggling manufacturer lead times and product price increases to meet deadlines

Importation of goods from other countries vs working with American-made goods

The best strategies for guaranteeing manufacturing and shipping deadlines

Projection for industry lead times in the foreseeable future

The long-term impact people and companies face when furniture lead times are not planned properly

The shift in the furniture industry to appeal to younger generation preferences

DIVISION 12 CONSULTING EXPANDS INTO NEW MARKETS AFTER THE ACQUISITION OF A LONGTIME BIRMINGHAM INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY

BIRMINGHAM, AL (February 10, 2022) —Division 12 Consulting, a minority-owned contract furnishings company announces the acquisition of Margaret D. Jones Interiors, LLC (MJI), a minority, female-owned interior design firm located in Birmingham, Alabama. This acquisition was finalized in December 2021.

 “I am thrilled about this acquisition. The synergistic value of D12 and MJI cannot be denied,” said Chris Washington, President of Division 12. “Having the collaboration of our team combined with the wisdom and expertise of MJI’s Founder and President, Margaret Jones, will yield a return far greater than the efforts of both companies individually.”

The acquisition will strengthen D12’s presence in Interior Design, specifically space design and finish selections. Margaret Jones will join the D12 team as Executive Sales Representative and Senior Designer, providing boutique service and design to clients within the commercial, institutional, and boutique hospitality spaces across the United States. Now with nearly 50 years of combined experience, D12 will further expand into markets throughout the Southeast and far surpass its current revenue projections of $25 million in sales for 2022.

“I am honored to align with the staff of Division 12 Consulting,” stated Margaret Jones. “We understand that we are not selling tangibles; we are selling service and a distinctive style that comes from an aggressive team of innovative professionals.” Margaret Jones’ creative mind and skilled expertise will provide multiple years of experience to the current D12 interior design staff. Jones’ limitless design capabilities will undergird D12’s clients base and bring a new, fresh perspective.

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

ABOUT DIVISION 12 CONSULTING

Division 12 is a minority owned contract furnishings company with more than 15 years of experience in construction and space management solutions. Division 12 provides services to K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, healthcare, corporate and government facilities, as well as religious organizations. With clients spanned across the nation, D12 prides itself on retaining the trust and respect of its clients and providing unmatched service and quality.

ABOUT MARGARET D. JONES INTERIORS, LLC

Margaret D. Jones Interiors, LLC, an interior design and space planning business, was established in 1990. After 32 years of superior service by creating energetic, interesting spaces, and offering clients unsurpassed value and quality of operation, MJI has had the privilege of working with many of the state’s leading educational institutions. MJI has appeared in numerous publications such as Birmingham Business Alliance and Birmingham Home & Garden Magazine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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Contact Person: Mironda Gaines

Contact Number: (800) 401-4290

Email: mgain@2division12.com

Website: www.2division12.com

Women at Work

March 9, 2021

Division 12 would like to highlight the women of our company and to raise awareness of the opportunities available for women in the furniture industry.


Division 12 Consulting donates 5,000 pairs of new shoes to non-profits

Published: Aug. 5, 2021 at 5:23 PM CDT

https://www.wsfa.com/video/2021/08/05/division-consulting-donates-pairs-new-shoes-non-profits/

Division 12 Consulting Earns SBA 8(A) Certification

March 2021

On March 12, 2021, Division 12 Consulting was welcomed into the Small Business Administration’s SBA 8(a) Business Development Program. The 8(a) program is a business assistance program designated for small disadvantaged businesses owned and controlled at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and groups.

Partnership to provide PPE Items to our clients

DIVISION 12 AND EKO LIFE PRODUCTS HAVE TEAMED TOGETHER TO BE A SOLUTION SPECIALISTS IN MANY FIELDS, FROM FURNITURE TO PPE EQUIPMENT AND MORE.

August 2020

During this unprecedented time, we hope that everyone and their families are safe and practicing social distancing.  In an effort to maintain the safety of our staff during delivery and installation, we have set up a partnership with EKO Life Products through EKO Contract, one of furniture manufacturers for them to provide face masks and other PPE items to our clients around the nation.

Our goal is to support you through this crisis and beyond with as little disruption as possible from the normal course of business, while keeping your staff. We are working to provide you the same customer service that you have come to expect until things improve and ultimately return to normal.

For larger orders, please email us at division12consulting@gmail.com.

New partnership is providing dormitory furniture to Morehouse College

August 2020

Division 12 Consulting has been able to provide services to Morehouse College and Aramark in developing a long-term plan for the college for dormitory furniture.  Division 12 has been able to provide a 5-yr dormitory furniture plan with a plan of paying for the furniture. For presentation to the campus executives, D12 and Ecologic Furniture provided actual images and renderings of what each dormitory setup would look like.

Partnership with Ecologic Dormitory Furniture as a new dealer/representative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

April 2020

Ecologic Furniture Announces Partnership with Division 12 Consulting to serve the country’s Historically Black Colleges & Universities as well as other major universities and colleges with Environmentally Friendly Student Dorm Furniture Dormitory Furniture Manufacturer teams up with Division 12 Consulting, a dealer-rep group based on Alabama to provide furniture solutions and design to Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the nation.

AIS work from home kits

January 2020

AIS is powered by the smart people you see here—professionals who are committed to helping our clients succeed. As a fun-loving, hard-working group, we’re after the same goals: award-winning products and manufacturing, marketing ingenuity, and, most of all, your personal business success. Not pictured: More than 800 team members standing by, making it all happen.

University considers new dorm project

April 2016

Wilberforce University may be looking to build a new modular dormitory on its campus.

The school has posted a request for qualifications seeking a general contractor for a 250-plus bed residence hall that could be build on its Greene County campus along Bickett Road. The school says the building would need parking for at least 100 cars and ample campus green space.

“The building should be a pod concept where student rooms share common living, lounge spaces and restrooms,” states the school’s RFQ…..

About us

MBE Certified • Minority-Owned Business • DBE Certified • State Contract T390 Dealer • SBA (8A) Certified • UA Dealer

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