Cheryl Watkins Snead
President and CEO, Banneker Industries

Cheryl W. Snead is President and Chief Executive Officer of Banneker Industries, Inc, in Lincoln, Rhode Island.  A Supply Chain Management Company, Banneker Industries, Inc. performs e-procurement, assembly, packaging, inventory management, and distribution services.  The company received ISO 9001:2000 certification by National Quality Assurance (NQA, USA).

Cheryl received her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts.  She worked for a major Fortune 100 Corporation honing her engineering and management skills before continuing her education.  She later received her Masters Degree in Business from Purdue University and went on to manage the machine shop operations of a small, minority owned firm in Rhode Island.  In 1991, she and a partner started Banneker Industries, Inc which now she is sole owner of the business.   The company is named after Benjamin Banneker, an African American scientist, inventor and astronomer.

Banneker Industries, Inc. and Cheryl have received numerous awards, both for business accomplishments and ongoing civic work; including the 2004 National Federation of Black Women Business Owners “Woman of Courage Emerging Business” Award, the 2003 Rhode Island Black Heritage Society’s Labor & Enterprise Award, the 2000 New England Minority Entrepreneur of the Year and the Rhode Island Business & Professional Women’s “Women Mean Business”.  Banneker Industries has been recognized nationally in Inc., Essence and Black Enterprise magazines as well as the L.L. Bean Catalogue.

Cheryl serves on the professional Boards of AMICA Insurance Company and Bank Rhode Island.  She has served as the state delegate on the U. S. Small Business Administration’s National Advisory Council.  Her community activities include serving on the Boards of the Textron Chamber School, Waterfire, and an officer and charter member of the Greater Providence RI Chapter of The Links, Inc. Cheryl is a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island’s Upsilon (2000) Class.  She is a passionate, motivational speaker advocating youth, minority and women empowerment.