St. Louis II Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) Announces New St. Louis Host

September 28, 2006 (PRLEAP.COM) Business News
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For Immediate Release Contact: Patty Briguglio (919) 233-6600

St. Louis II Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO)
Announces New St. Louis Host
National City Sponsors National Nonprofit Women’s Organization

NEW YORK—The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) has announced that National City, a Midwest leader in supporting women-owned businesses, has joined as a local host of the St. Louis II chapter. This alliance will expand the professional resources available to the local WPO chapter. The Women Presidents’ Organization is a nonprofit membership organization whose members are a diverse group of multi million dollar companies whose presidents who have guided their businesses to generate at least $2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for a service-based business.

“The WPO is pleased to welcome National City to our organization,” said Marsha Firestone, Ph.D., President and Founder of the WPO. “Our hosts are an integral part of our growth and the strength of the organization.”

With approximately 1,000 members and 60 chapters located throughout the nation and in Canada, the WPO has experienced rapid growth since its inception. “This alliance will provide ourchapter with additional resources and strong partnerships to accelerate the growth of woman-owned businesses, “ said Laura Schacht, WPO facilitator.

“Nearly half of all new small business in the country are women owned, and through our team of Women’s Business Advocates we are proud to provide the information, resources, connections and financial tools to help a woman business owner flourish,” said Shaun Hayes, president and CEO of Missouri banking. “Our support of WPO’s successful peer-to-peer learning model is another opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to women-owned companies in St. Louis.”

About Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO):
The Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO) locally and internationally connects top women entrepreneurs at the million and multimillion-dollar level ($2 million in gross annual sales or $1 million for service-based business) for greater personal and professional success. In monthly meetings across the US and Canada, chapters composed of 20 accomplished women presidents from diverse industries and backgrounds invest time and energy in themselves and their businesses to drive their corporations to the next level. For more information, call 212-688-4114 or visit http://www.womenpresidentsorg.com.

About National City:
National City Corporation (NYSE: NCC), headquarted in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest financial holding companies. The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core business includes commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management. For more information about National City, visit the company’s Web site at http://www.NationalCity.com.

About National City Women’s Initiatives:
National City is a leader in supporting women business owners. The bank provides comprehensive services to woman business owners from credit, cash management and succession planning for her company, to retirement planning and wealth management services for her private banking needs. In communities throughout its region, National City has developed a network of Women’s Business Advocates. A proprietary training program ensures advocates are informed of current entrepreneur issues, resources available to women business owners, and National City-planned initiatives. National City also sponsors a number of organizations that support women in business, such as the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Women Business Owners Council (NWBOC), Center for Women’s Business Research, and ATHENA International.


Patty Briguglio
MMI Associates, Inc.
919-233-6600
patty@mmimarketing.com

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