Center for Women’s Business Research Recent reports indicate that nationally 51% of privately owned firms are owned by women. There are an estimated 10.6 million privately-held women owned businesses in 2004; 50 % of these firms generate 2.46 trillion in sales and employ 19.1 million people nationwide. Florida ranks number 4 in the top 10 states for privately held women owned firms, in employment and sales in 2004. Guests: Adrian Guglielmo, Founder & CEO of Diversity Partners She is a veteran marketer and active member of the Women President Education Organization. She has received the Entrepreneur of the Year 2004 by the New York State Business Leadership Network, and in 2003, Adrian was one of Enterprising Women magazines Women of the Year. Betsy Sias is the Director of the College of Business Career Resource and Alumni Relations Center at Florida Atlantic University, in Boca Raton. She is responsible for placing more than 1500 students. Jeff Klare is the CEO of DisabilityHires a consultant to Fortune 1000 companies and is on the President’s Employer Subcommittee on the Employment of People with Disabilities. Deb Arndt is the industry liaison at Palm Beach Community College. As a programs coordinator she works with the business community, addressing their needs by fulfilling their requests for services. She helps coordinates the 35 companies contracting with the college … from Law firms to local hospitals and hotels as well as many small companies. Jacie Keeley is the Director of Learning Unlimited and Summer Youth College at Palm Beach Community College. Her fulltime responsibilities include handling public relations for the college. Additionally, Jacie is a woman entrepreneur. 10 other guest panelists were featured briefly.