Vickie J Lewis President & CEO VMX International, LLC Owner & President CURVES   Speaker Women's Forum VMX International, LLC VMX International was founded in 2001 after Vickie was downsized from an account manager position. She was determined to control her own future, take her professional contacts and work experience and create a job for herself. VMX International is an environmental engineering consulting firm headquartered in Detroit that works with businesses across the nation to properly dispose of items ranging from office paper to hazardous materials. In the first year of business, VMX generated $1 million in revenue and garnered clients that included Waste Management and the Big Three Automakers. Teaming with two investors and borrowing from her retirement funds, Vickie and her partners were able to make a profit the first year doing the work themselves and subcontracting out to others until they could hire employees directly. VMX currently has over 50 full-time employees. Vickie’s accomplishments were profiled in the “Work and Wealth” section of “Essence Magazine”, October 2003 Collector’s Edition Motivated by her story “Essence Magazine” selected Vickie’s profile for the tabletop book “Making It Happen – Creating Success and Abundance” 2005 CURVES (30-Minute Fitness/Diet Counseling Center) Designed for women, Vickie’s CURVES fitness franchise opened in the fall of 2003 and is located in Northwest Detroit. The center motivates and encourages women to exercise using circuit training and offers instruction and guidance on proper nutrition. Just days after opening the facility she sustained a major business loss with the tragedy of an armed robbery. In spite of nay-sayers who suggested that she give up and the stigma associated with such an occurrence, she dismissed her personal fears and chose to remain in business. Concerned primarily about the safety of others, she consulted top security experts and developed and implemented security measures to make her staff (6 Detroit residents) and clients feel safe and secure. Today her membership has grown beyond all expectations, is well-known as one of the most popular exercise facilities in Detroit. The success of CURVES and VMX International earned Vickie “Top 10 Michigan Business Women – Warrior Award” recognized by NAWBO – Greater Detroit Chapter, 2005 PERSONAL BACKGROUND A lifelong Detroit resident, Vickie graduated from Cooley High School and Davenport College (formerly Detroit College of Business) and is married to Rev. David L. Lewis, Sr. and mother to one son, David L. Lewis, Jr., MD. Vickie is a proud mentor to pregnant teenagers and mothers at Detroit’s Catherine Ferguson High School. She and her husband donate to various Detroit area churches and charitable organizations. Professional Affliliations Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce National Association of Woman Business Owners Booker T. Washington Business Association Environmental Management Association, Board Member National Minority Waste Association