Alternate Access® sponsors 25th annual YWCA Academy of Women awards event

RALEIGH, N.C. – Alternate Access®, a leading provider of converged communications solutions, will be a sponsor of the 25th Annual YWCA Academy of Women awards celebration on Nov. 7 at the Embassy Suites in Cary. With a membership of more than 200, the Academy of Women recognizes the outstanding leadership of accomplished women throughout the Triangle.

Prior to the awards event, Adrienne K. Lumpkin, Alternate Access president and director of marketing, will introduce the 2007 Academy of Women inductee in the Entrepreneur category, Michelle Rich Goode, during a reception at the governor’s executive mansion in Raleigh. At the invite only reception, on Oct. 23, all 2007 Academy of Women candidates will be inducted.

"This honor is reserved for women of the highest caliber in the Triangle who are making a real difference in bringing the YWCA mission alive,” said Lumpkin. “I was humbled to receive the award two years ago and am proud to participate in the induction of Michelle, a champion for women and trailblazer in real estate for many years."

Established in 1983 by the YWCA of Wake County, the Academy of Women honors local women who exemplify the organization’s mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. Through their daily interactions, at work and while volunteering, these extraordinary women demonstrate a commitment to that mission.

Every year one woman is selected per each of 11 diverse categories including: Arts & Entertainment, Business, Community Service, Education, Entrepreneur, Exercise & Sports Science, Government, Human Services, Professions, Service & Technology and Teen Woman.

Goode is the founder of Rich Commercial Realty, which she established in 1989 as one of the first tenant representative firms in the Triangle. She has served on several boards, including the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Triangle Commercial Real Estate Women (past-president) and Meredith College Board of Trustees (past chair). Goode has also been honored with various awards during her 21 years in real estate and was most recently named a 2006 Woman Extraordinaire by Business Leader Magazine.

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About Alternate Access®
Founded in 1993, Raleigh, North Carolina-based Alternate Access® provides intelligent business phone systems to small-business and branch-office clients locally and nationwide. Their innovative phone system solutions help increase profits by boosting staff performance and efficiency, enhancing customer service, and adding management reporting capabilities – all while decreasing labor and infrastructure costs. Products include IP-PBX with Voice over IP, fax servers, unified messaging, Web collaboration, interactive voice response and call center applications, headsets and specialty phones. By employing extensive experience and best practices, award-winning Alternate Access works in partnership with its customers to build creative yet cost-effective solutions. For more information on Alternate Access visit www.AlternateAccess.com.