Rumia Ambrose-Burbank

As president and co-founder of Vendor Managed Solutions Inc. and VMS365, a leading technology driven maintenance, repair and operations (MRO) company providing total maintenance solutions to an expanding client base of international corporations, Rumia Ambrose-Burbank sets the business strategy and directs operations for the North American and International Markets. She instituted the organization’s proprietary integrated MRO and vendor management services programs, growing VMS to one of the nation’s leading and comprehensive integrators.

In 2006, she was single-handedly responsible for leading the successful acquisition of the industry’s most sought-after procurement practices from one of the nation’s foremost consulting firms. This acquisition paved the way for entry into six new markets and increased the buying power to $750 million.

Prior to VMS, Burbank served as a principle and co-founder at SDE Business Partnering. During her tenure with the organization, she was responsible for a variety of accounts in the automotive, manufacturing and educational sectors and for the management of a $1 billion budget. She was instrumental in growing the organization from a $10 million to a $79 million company making it one of the top 50 grossing African American owned businesses in the nation.

Early in her career, Burbank worked at EDS/Hewlett Packard and acted in several key roles including business relations, contract administration and business development. Burbank was also responsible for successful global system implementation of SAP for the GM Account. Prior to EDS she worked as a CPA for a Tier One Supplier.

As VMS continues to expand, Burbank serves her community in a host of engagements, but she is most passionate about the education of Detroit’s inner-city youth. VMS is also the focal point of several publications including American Builder’s Quarterly focus on Supply-Chain Problem Solvers and was featured in a television production of Today in America hosted by Terry Bradshaw.

Under Rumia’s guidance, VMS has received countless recognitions including being selected as one of the nation’s 50 Fastest Women-led Organizations, and Black Enterprise’s BE100s for the past 10yrs. Ambrose-Burbank has also earned been recognized for her accomplishments in:

• American Builders Quarterly – “Supply Chain Problem Solvers”
• Ernst & Young – “Entrepreneur of the Year”
• Women of Power – Entrepreneurship
• Esteem Women of Michigan Honoree
• Inc. Magazine – “Entrepreneurial Insights”
• Michigan Chronicle – “Automotive Who’s Who”
• Forbes – “50 Fastest Women-led Organizations”
• US Black Chamber of Commerce – “Women of Power”
• BE Magazine – “Successful Women Entrepreneurs”

She volunteers her time at women shelters in the metropolitan area and actively supports noteworthy causes including The Parade Company, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Focus Hope and St. Jude. She actively serves as:

• Regional Advisory Board – Bottom Line
• Detroit Regional Chamber – Board of Directors
• DNC – National Regional Small Business Lead
• Troy Regional Chamber of Commerce – Board of Directors
• Charles H. Wright Museum – Board of Trustees/Development Chair
• Notre Dame Prep & Marist Academy – Board of Trustees/Executive Committee/Chair of DE&I
• Former Board of Trustees/of Central Michigan – Jalen Rose Leadership Academy