Sonia Clayton is Recognized as a Community Heroine
December 2, 2006
UNIVISION RADIO recognized Sonia Clayton, President and CEO of Virtual Intelligence Providers, (VIP), as a community heroine. “The Hero of the Community Award” was presented to Sonia on Friday, December the 8th, 2006, at the UNIVISION RADIO headquarters in Houston, Texas.
The 2001 economic depression, emerged right after September 11th, causing enormous hardship for tens of millions of people and the failure of many corporations. Large and small businesses collapsed, while Sonia accomplished the impossible. She formed Virtual Intelligence Providers, LLC (VIP) www.vip-global.com in October 2001, when her friends, colleagues and former team members were laid-off from their jobs due to the economic downturn and the aftershock of September 11th. Clayton’s former team members, PhD’s, Business Administrators, Technical Translators, Graphic and Instructional Designers, and Systems Engineers, made up the initial VIP team. In its first year of business, VIP gained its first 14 clients including corporations such as Marathon Oil, Continental Airlines, Pennzoil-Quaker State, Shell Oil International, CEMEX, Huntsman Chemical Corporation and others. Today, VIP has become and International Consulting firm serving over 60 Global Corporations and has expanded operations into Latin America and Europe. VIP’s most recent products include a line of SAP R/3 Learning Programs and training solutions for other complex operating systems. VIP develops human resource management portals, e-Learning platforms and virtual universities. The corporation also provides Staff Augmentation Services for Information Technology and Human Resources’ Projects.
In 2003 and 2004, the Houston Business Journal and The Daily Court Review (DCR) published VIP’s story; also during 2004, The Houston Minority Business Council itself recognized VIP with the E-10 Award (Emerging 10 Award). In August 2005, the “Business Makers Radio Show” (Russ Capper and John Beddow) broadcasted Sonia’s success story on the FM news Channel 97.5, and VIP was recognized as a “Top Minority Owned Business” and, last November, the National Association of Women Business Owners recognized Sonia as “One Amazing Woman” in the USA.
“You are an inspiration to our Community, I want them to get to know you. People need to know that everything begings with a dream, followed by determination and perseverance. We need more mentors like you” –Renzo Heredia. La Tremenda 1010 AM –UNIVISION Radio.
“I am deeply touched by Renzo’s gesture and the kindness of La Tremenda 1010 AM. I am not a heroine, but I work and serve this community with many heroes, my employees. Since VIP’s inception, they have worked tirelessly and professionally to keep the economy moving even during depression times. Their efforts, loyalty and excellence have made us shine. Let this be a note of thanks to all of them. ”–Sonia Clayton.