Diana Clemente, President of Big Apple Car, Inc., Wins National Award

Online, March 18, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Diana Clemente, President of Big Apple Car, Inc., received the nation's premier award for excellence among women's business enterprises (WBEs) bestowed by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) at its Salute to Women's Business Enterprises on Thursday evening. The annual event took place before 1,000 corporate and government executives, WBEs and members of WBENC's Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) at the Baltimore Hilton, Baltimore, MD.

Big Apple Car, Inc. is an industry leader in the provision of black car and luxury chauffeured services in the New York metropolitan region and throughout the world. Since 1983, it has served the ground transportation needs of corporate clients in the financial, legal, media and entertainment industries. Clemente joined Big Apple Car as Controller in 1984 and was named a principal and President of the company within 5 years. Since then, the company reached at its apex $30 million in sales, and it is consistently ranked one of the top 25 women-owned companies in the Tri-State region.

"Diana Clemente is an outstanding leader whose strategic and innovative approach benefits her clients and her company. She demonstrates the power of women's businesses in driving sustainable economic growth," said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC, the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs as suppliers to the nation's top corporations and government agencies.

"We are proud to receive this recognition by WBENC, and I am especially honored to be included with such an impressive roster of fellow WBE Stars," said Diana Clemente. "I am so grateful to WBENC for shining a spotlight on women leaders and for creating a forum through which we can share our strengths with each other, and the world."

Clemente continued, "Big Apple Car is the only major company in the black car industry owned solely by a woman. As such, we believe we are more sensitive to our client's needs and understanding of what it truly means to be in the service industry. The same holds true for so many of our fellow WBENC members, and I salute them all."

Clemente was recognized for her leadership in business, her inspiration to other women, and her active role at the helm of Big Apple Car, Inc. The Women Presidents' Educational Organization (WPEO) selected Clemente for this national honor. WPEO is one of WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs) that process WBENC's world-class certification of WBEs, in addition to providing skills-building educational programs and business development opportunities in their regions.

"Diana's drive, dedication, and strong work ethic have allowed her to take her company to the next level," said Marsha Firestone, PhD, Founder and President of the Women Presidents' Educational Organization. "Big Apple Car is a model of how far women-owned enterprises have come, and Diana is well-deserving of the WBENC Star Award."

Under the banner of the organization's 2013 theme "Join Forces. Succeed Together," WBENC's Summit & Salute is a major national event designed to drive business development and collaborative success among WBENC's Corporate and Government Members and WBEs. Sponsored by Accenture and Ernst & Young LLP, the two-day event provides vital access to the thought leaders, business intelligence and senior-level networking opportunities that enable sustainable growth.