April/May 2013
WBENC announces 2013 top corporations for WBEs
 Washington, DC – For the fourteenth year, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (www.wbenc.org, WBENC) has chosen a group of Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises (WBEs). The WBENC list is the only national recognition of world-class corporate programs that level the competitive playing field for women’s business enterprises (WBEs). This year WBENC recognized thirty-two corporations for best practices that result in “productive business partnerships with women entrepreneurs and valuable products and services for their customers,” according to the organization.
“Thanks to the extraordinary leadership of our top corporations, women’s businesses are generating strategies and solutions for meeting the fast-changing needs of today’s marketplace. Together they are driving the innovation that fuels a stronger economy and creates jobs,” said Pamela Prince-Eason, president and CEO of WBENC.
The top corporations were honored at the WBENC Summit & Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises on March 13-14 in Baltimore, MD. “Our top corporations are deeply committed to strategic business development programs that cultivate competition and achieve measurable results,” Prince-Eason notes. “This event shared their thought leadership with our entire community of partners and constituents.”
These companies make up the 2012 Top Corporations for WBEs list: Accenture, Alcatel-Lucent, AT&T, Avis Budget Group, Bank of America, BP America, Chevron, Chrysler Group LLC, Dell, Energy Future Holdings, Ernst & Young LLP, Exxon Mobil Corp, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Kelly Services, Macy’s, ManpowerGroup, Marriott International, Office Depot, Pacific Gas & Electric, PepsiCo, Pfizer, Pitney Bowes, Shell, Target Corp, the Coca-Cola Company, United Airlines, UPS, Verizon Communications and Wal-Mart Stores.
Chrysler Group LLC, General Motors, Macy’s and Wal-Mart Stores appeared on the list for the first time.
The Women’s Business Enterprise National Council is the leading advocate for and authority on WBEs as suppliers and vendors to the nation’s corporations. For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.
Duke Energy and Toyota honored by SCOMSDC
West Chester, OH – Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc received the 2012 Class IV Corporation of the Year award, and Duke Energy won the Class III Corporation of the Year award, at the South Central Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (SCOMSDC) fortieth anniversary Awards Gala and Silent Auction in November 2012.
Corporation of the Year awards go to major corporations that are dedicated to improving the overall participation of Asian, African American, Hispanic and Native American suppliers in the global corporate supply chain. The class IV award is presented annually to a corporation whose revenue exceeds $30 billion per year. The class III award is presented annually to a corporation or organization with revenues between $12 billion and $29.99 billion.
In 2011, Toyota spent $1.7 billion with tier 1 suppliers, an increase of 13 percent from the previous year. Its tier 1 suppliers also spent $526 million with tier 2 suppliers. In spite of natural disasters that affected productivity in 2011, Toyota increased its spend with SCOMSDC-certified MBEs by 1.5 percent.
Toyota is an active member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR). The BDR was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate corporations that achieve annual spending of at least $1 billion with minority and woman-owned suppliers. Adrienne Trimble, Toyota supplier diversity manager and current SCOMSDC board chair, represents the company as BDR secretary.
Duke Energy had a $72 million dollar spend with NMSDC-certified MBEs and $51.2 million in local spend with SCOMSDC-certified MBEs. Duke Energy’s tier 2 spend was $191 million dollars, representing a 24 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. Duke Energy actively supports the South Central Ohio council programs and initiatives, and participates on the SCOMSDC Cincinnati local advisory committee.
Duke Energy is also a member of the advisory council for Gaining Access Through Economics with Ohio Utilities (Ohio GATE, www.ohiogate.org). Ohio GATE works to develop business opportunities for diverse businesses with the regulated utilities in the state of Ohio.
Major League Baseball and the Houston Astros co-host second MLB Diversity Business Summit
New York, NY – Major League Baseball and the Houston Astros will co-host the second annual MLB Diversity Business Summit. Attendees will have access to human resource and procurement executives from all thirty MLB clubs, the MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media, MLB’s Central Office and the Minor League Baseball organization.
The MLB Diversity Business Summit will be held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on Wednesday, June 19. It combines a sports employment career fair with a business opportunity trade fair; job seekers and entrepreneurs will be able to network directly with decision makers for employment and business opportunities at major and minor league clubs, and at baseball-related associations and media organizations. The agenda for the event will include a keynote speech by baseball commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig, league-wide networking, exhibit floor access, workshops and executive roundtable discussions.
“Diversity is essential to our sport and remains a core priority of Major League Baseball,” said Commissioner Selig. “Major league and minor league rosters reflect players of many different backgrounds throughout our game. Away from the field, the MLB Diversity Business Summit is a key platform, allowing us to offer networking access to talented individuals who are interested in baseball careers and business opportunities. We thank the Houston Astros for co-hosting this event and exemplifying the depth of the commitment shared by all our clubs.”
The first MLB Diversity Business Summit was co-hosted by MLB and the Chicago White Sox in 2012, and attracted more than 800 registrants from across the United States.
To learn more about the summit, go to MLB.com/diversitysummit.
WBENC names fourteen WBE “Stars”
Washington, DC – In March, fourteen women business leaders received awards for excellence as women’s business enterprises (WBEs) from the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). The fourteen were recognized as WBE Stars at WBENC’s Salute to Women’s Business Enterprises in Baltimore.
“WBENC’s WBE Stars are exemplary leaders whose strategic and innovative business practices have led to their impressive business success and growth which fuels our economy,” said Pamela Prince-Eason, WBENC president and CEO.
The 2013 WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise Stars were recognized for leadership in their business communities, inspiration to other women business owners, and active roles at the helm of successful certified businesses.
February/March 2013
FirstEnergy recognized for supplier diversity programs
 Reading, PA – FirstEnergy Corp has received the Economic Impact award from the Western Pennsylvania Minority Supplier Development Council (WPMSDC) as well as the Regional Corporation of the Year award from the Women’s Business Enterprise Council of Pennsylvania, Delaware and south New Jersey (WBEC PA-DE-sNJ). Both awards reflect First Energy’s ongoing commitment to supplier diversity and economic growth in the communities it serves.
“At FirstEnergy, supplier diversity aligns with our corporate values, reflects our diverse customer base and supports the communities we serve,” said Gary Benz, FirstEnergy vice president for supply chain. “We are proud that our ongoing supplier diversity efforts are recognized and that they continue to work to the benefit of not only FirstEnergy, but our suppliers and customers as well.”
In 2011, FirstEnergy spent more than $46 million with minority-owned businesses based in the WPMSDC’s twenty-seven county area. The company spent about $6 million with women-owned businesses.
FirstEnergy representatives serve on the board of directors of WBEC PA-DE-sNJ, and also serve on its certification committee, which reviews applications and conducts visits to women-owned businesses seeking third-party certification.
FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company. Its ten electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. For more information, visit www.firstenergycorp.com.
Northrop Grumman named Supplier Diversity Corporation of the Year
 Falls Church, VA – Northrop Grumman Corporation was named the Supplier Diversity Corporation of the Year for 2012 by the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) at its fifteenth Annual Leadership Awards held in October. The award is presented to the employer that has demonstrated outstanding inclusion of disability-owned businesses in its corporate supplier diversity program.
“People with disabilities face significant challenges to employment, as do returning wounded warriors,” says Gloria Pualani, corporate director of socio-economic business programs for Northrop Grumman. “I am pleased to work for a company that’s committed to helping these individuals realize a better future by providing an inclusive environment for employment and subcontracting opportunities.”
Northrop Grumman Corporation is recognized for a number of programs and initiatives to help foster diversity and inclusion throughout the company. These programs recognize and celebrate the company’s diversity in its leadership and among its employees, in the company’s support for supplier diversity efforts and through partnerships in the community.
In the area of supplier diversity, the Socio-Economic Business Programs (SEBP) office serves as a liaison between prospective small and disadvantaged businesses, including U.S. government-certified AbilityOne (www.abilityone.org) firms interested in working with Northrop Grumman, and the company’s procurement organizations. The company’s efforts to increase the number of successful minority, women-owned and AbilityOne small business suppliers, by providing outreach and mentorship, have been recognized nationally.
Other small disadvantaged constituencies served by the SEBP include historically black colleges and universities, minority institutions, veterans, service-disabled veterans and historically underutilized business (HUB) zone business concerns.
Northrop Grumman is a global security company providing systems, products and solutions in unmanned systems, cybersecurity, C4ISR, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.northropgrumman.com.
Allstate receives Corporate Support award at WBDC’s Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference
 Chicago, IL – The Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC, www.wbdc.org) honored successful
female entrepreneurs as well as supporters of women’s economic development at its twenty-sixth annual Entrepreneurial Women’s Conference last fall. Allstate Insurance received the top Corporate Support award.
Other 2012 honorees were Cassandra Sanford, CEO, KellyMitchell Group: Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year; Heather Sanderson, president, Overture Premiums & Promotions LLC: Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year - WBE Success; Danielle Hrzic, president and co-founder, Gourmet Gorilla: Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year - Rising Star; Joset B. Wright, president, National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc, and Pamela Prince-Eason, president and CEO, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): Advocacy awards.
The conference also included a Women’s Forum breakfast with a panel moderated by Chicago Sun-Times syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage. The panelists offered plenty of advice for current and aspiring entrepreneurs: “You can never know too many smart people.” “Go with your gut, and don’t be afraid to ignore advice you don’t agree with.” “How you deal with failure determines how you deal with success.”
Panelists were Christie Hefner, Laura Ricketts, Sue Bhatia and Richelle Shaw. Hefner is executive chairman, Canyon Ranch Enterprises; Ricketts is the director of Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball and chairman of the board of the Chicago Cubs; Bhatia is CEO of Rose International, Inc, is one of the largest certified women’s business enterprise (WBE) companies in the country; and Shaw is CEO of RTS Publishing, LLC and was at one time the only female African American public utility owner in the nation.
The WBDC is a WBENC partner organization. Founded by Hedy Ratner and Carol Dougal in 1986, it certifies women-owned business enterprises in the Chicago area, and offers workshops, business coaching, financial assistance, procurement help and more to area women-owned businesses.
December 2012/January 2013
Ford wins National Corporation of the Year award from NMSDC
Dearborn, MI – At its 2012 national conference and business fair, the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC, www.nmsdc.org) honored Ford Motor Company as Corporation of the Year. This is the fourth time in nearly twenty-five years Ford has received the honor, which recognizes the company's commitment to economically empowering minority, women and veteran-owned businesses and job creation. Ford launched its supplier diversity development program in 1978.
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"Our suppliers are a key part of our One Ford team, and we are committed to building a supplier base that reflects our employees, customers and shareholders," said Alan Mulally, Ford president and CEO. "A broad and diverse supplier base reinforces our commitment to the communities where we live and work."
"I cannot think of a more fitting way to continue celebrating NMSDC's fortieth anniversary," said Joset B. Wright, president of NMSDC. "Over the years, Ford has been a true supporter of NMSDC's initiatives. In 2012, due to the company's policies, supplier investment, technology support, and joint venture and strategic-alliance creation, we felt Ford took its efforts to a new level and embodied an absolute model of minority supplier development and collaboration."
Ford has a goal of sourcing 10 percent of its U.S. production and nonproduction purchases with diverse suppliers, and the company is on track to meet this goal for 2012. Also this year, Ford moved to strengthen its support of another diverse group, veterans, by sourcing at least 3 percent from veteran-owned suppliers and requiring its tier 1 suppliers to do the same.
Measuring supplier diversity program performance
Tempe, AZ – Nonprofit CAPS Research (www.capsresearch.org) has released its first major benchmarking report on supplier diversity program performance since 2007.
The data, provided by 120 companies, indicates that diversity spend is about 13 percent of total U.S. spend. Overall, women-owned small businesses account for almost 5 percent of total U.S. spend, and small disadvantaged businesses account for less than 4 percent. The data also indicates that almost 70 percent of the contracts awarded to diverse socioeconomic groups were sourced competitively. And perhaps more importantly, about 72 percent of the survey population reported they expect spending with diversity groups to increase during the next two years.
CAPS Research is jointly sponsored by the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University and the Institute for Supply Management, and supported by global Fortune 500 and 1000 organizations including 3M, ITT Corp and Raytheon.
CPUC's supplier diversity program sets record
San Francisco, CA – The California Public Utilities Commission's supplier diversity program continues to set records and establish itself as a model for economic recovery, reports the Greenlining Institute's latest supplier diversity report card. The report card was released in June during a special event at the Public Policy Institute of California. The CPUC program, established by state legislation, encourages regulated utility and telecommunications companies to contract with businesses owned by minorities, women and disabled veterans.
Greenlining Institute general counsel Samuel S. Kang, co-author of the report, said, "It's frustrating that even though it's wildly successful, the CPUC's supplier diversity program is one of the business world's best-kept secrets. Almost under the radar, the Public Utilities Commission has created a model that California and the rest of the country can use to spur economic recovery."
The new report is available at greenlining.org/publications/pdf/663/663.pdf.
Office Depot recognized as a top corporation impacting supplier diversity
 Boca Raton, FL – Office Depot, Inc, a leading global provider of office supplies and services, announced November 5 that the company has been named one of the "top forty corporations impacting supplier diversity" by MBN (Minority Business News) USA magazine. The company was recognized by a team of experts on minority business and industry trends for raising the bar for today's supplier diversity expectations and paving the way for future advancements that will help take diverse businesses to the next level.
"We are honored to be named one of the top corporations impacting supplier diversity," said Frantz Tiffeau, senior manager of supply chain diversity for Office Depot. "Office Depot is committed to supporting and offering opportunities to women and minority-owned businesses, and our ranking on MBN USA magazine's list further exemplifies this."
Office Depot's program gives historically underutilized businesses (HUBs) ample opportunities to grow and prosper. The company actively seeks out promising HUBs that are certified minority, women, disabled, and veteran owned to ensure equal opportunity in the supplier selection process. Office Depot also produces an annual HUB catalog that features an assortment of more than 1,600 items from select HUB suppliers.
The company has affiliations with national organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council, the Small Business Administration, and others that share Office Depot's goal of making a positive impact on economic development through supplier diversity.
For more information on Office Depot's diversity initiatives, please visit www.officedepot.com/diversity.
Chrysler Group executive named "leader of the year" by NMSDC
 Auburn Hills, MI – Kevin L. Bell, senior manager of diversity supplier development at Chrysler Group LLC, received the minority supplier development leader of the year award from the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) "in recognition of his exceptional leadership in improving the overall participation of Asian, African American, Hispanic and Native American suppliers in the company's global corporate supply chain." Bell was honored at the NMSDC annual awards event in Denver.
Earlier this fall, Bell was named 2012 "National Advocate of the Year" by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council for his leadership in promoting the growth of minority supplier spending and business development at Chrysler Group.
Under Bell, Chrysler Group's supplier diversity goals require that 10 percent of a tier 1 supplier's procurement buy be sourced to certified minority suppliers. Chrysler Group announced early this year that it spent $2.1 billion with approximately 200 minority suppliers in 2011, representing 8.5 percent of its total annual purchasing. Women-owned businesses, tracked separately, accounted for $301 million of the company's spending. Overall, the company purchased $31 billion in direct and indirect parts, materials and services in 2011. Since 1983, the company has spent more than $47 billion with minority-owned suppliers.
Chrysler Group continues to support organizations that assist tier 1 suppliers with achieving their minority-owned and women-owned sourcing goals. These organizations also include the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council and the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Chrysler Group supports veteran business ownership through membership with the National Veteran-Owned Business Association.
October/November 2012
Coca-Cola recognizes supplier diversity partners
 Atlanta, GA – The Coca-Cola Company recently honored a group of internal advocates and partners for their contributions to supplier diversity success at its 2012 Partners in the Promise awards celebration. The event, held July 19 in Atlanta, chronicled the evolution of the company's supplier diversity program.
In 2000, the company committed to spend $800 million with minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) over a five-year period. It exceeded this goal, spending $1 billion during the period, and by 2009, had increased diverse spend by nearly 700 percent. In 2011, the company spent $766 million with MWBEs, up from $652 million in 2010 even as it integrated its North American operations.
"When you consider the dynamics of the way the world is unfolding and the current business environment, it's plain to see that demographics are changing at lightning speed," said Terrez Thompson, newly appointed vice president of global supplier diversity. "The business world is diverse beyond what the architects of diversity programs in the twentieth century could have ever imagined. We see programs such as ours as key to exploring and exploiting this brave new world."
Ron Lewis, chief procurement officer, highlighted the integral role diversity plays in the company's long-term strategy. "When we spend money in the communities where we do business, the people in those communities reciprocate by spending money with us," he said, noting that "we have just scratched the surface of our potential in the supplier diversity arena. Everyone wins when we work together."
The company recognized several executives as well as the following partners for their commitment to supplier diversity: Harris & Ford, a minority-owned business, is the second-largest ingredient supplier to Coca-Cola in North America; Prosys Information Systems, a woman-owned business, delivers customized IT solutions. Ball Corporation, a packaging supplier, was recognized for providing opportunities to diverse businesses. Ball reported direct spend with diverse suppliers for Coca-Cola Refreshments of more than $11 million in 2011.
JPMorgan Chase unveils MLK exhibit at NMSDC conference
 New York, NY – JPMorgan Chase will present a special exhibit at this year's National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) conference and business opportunity fair in Denver, CO. The Dr Martin Luther King Jr Imaging Project will feature several computer screens where guests can view King's work as well as interactive walls where visitors can list their own dreams. The display was developed in collaboration with the King Center in Atlanta to create a global educational website based on a comprehensive collection of King's speeches, sermons and correspondence.
"On the fortieth anniversary of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, we feel it is especially relevant to showcase the works of Dr King, the man who was so instrumental in advancing equal opportunity, accessibility to all and a commitment to quality education," said Jacqueline Rosa, executive director of corporate supplier diversity.
For each of the past four years, JP Morgan Chase has spent over $1 billion with diverse suppliers. "Diversity is a cornerstone of success here at
JPMorgan Chase," says Rosa. "If we are to continue to expand and thrive in the marketplace, our culture, workforce and supply chain must evolve to reflect the changing needs of our customers and the diversity of the communities we serve."
For more information about what JPMorgan Chase is doing to celebrate Dr Martin Luther King, please visit www.jpmorganchase.com/mlk.
The Matlet Group says connection to multiple MBE councils is key to success
 Pawtucket, RI – Earlier this year, the Matlet Group (Pawtucket, RI) participated in a conference hosted by PepsiCo. It was part of a series developed by an affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC). Asian American-owned Matlet Group is an NMSDC Corporate Plus supplier and has been active with national NMSDC as well as several local affiliate councils.
At the conference, discussions focused on strategies for supplier success. Connections with NMSDC and its affiliates ranked high. "We gain more visibility by participating with several different councils, allowing us to connect with the right people and build our business," says Gary Stiffler, president and CEO of the Matlet Group. Stiffler, a thirty-year printing industry expert, formed the Matlet Group in 2005. A mid-sized company with printing, marketing and packaging businesses in three different regions, it serves many large U.S. corporations from coast-to-coast.
"Considering the many personnel changes in the corporate world, especially at the procurement level, it is important to have exposure to as many people as possible," says Stiffler. "You need to build confidence in those relationships in order to increase your opportunities for new or expanded levels of business."
James Sturgis, Jr, the director of supplier diversity at food retailer Ahold USA Retail, also attended the conference. "Participation in council events or activities allows corporate procurement people to get to know the MBEs on a different level. Perhaps more importantly, it allows the MBE to be more top of mind to the executive so that when an opportunity arises, that MBE has a better chance of finding out about it," he says.
For more information, please visit www.thematletgroup.com.
August/September 2012
Edison Electric Institute presents 2012 supplier diversity awards
 Washington, DC – Edison Electric Institute (EEI, www.eei.org) honored four of its member electric companies for their exceptional work in advancing purchasing opportunities within the nation's electric power industry for women, minority, and disabled veteran-owned businesses. The awards were presented in June during EEI's twenty-ninth annual supplier diversity conference in Palm Desert, CA.
Southern Company received the 2012 EEI supplier diversity excellence award. EEI awards for innovation in supplier  diversity were presented to Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) and Progress Energy; and Joseph Alderete, manager, supplier diversity for Southern California Edison, earned the EEI pacesetter award.
Southern Company was recognized for its consistent, organization-wide commitment to encouraging diversity among the company's suppliers. Southern Company's efforts reach a wide variety of ethnic groups, women, and veterans, and the company works to mentor and train suppliers.
Both PG&E and Progress Energy created new approaches to diversifying their supplier bases by involving their executives and consultants across their business units and setting ambitious goals. Joe Alderete of Southern California Edison received the EEI pacesetter award for his innovations in seeking out new opportunities for diverse business owners.
For more information about EEI's supplier diversity program, please visit www.eei.org/diversity.
NYPA hosts twenty-second annual Purchasing Exchange
 White Plains, NY – The New York Power Authority (NYPA, www.nypa.gov) held its twenty-second annual Purchasing Exchange for minority and women-owned business enterprises (MWBEs) on June 6. The exchange is a forum for MWBE suppliers to pursue contracts with purchasing representatives from public and private entities. It also gives purchasing entities opportunities to expand their access to qualified MWBE suppliers.
In addition to NYPA, forty public and private sector entities participated, including the New York State Office of General Services, New York State Department of Transportation, New York City Housing Authority, New York City School Construction Authority, Empire State Development Corporation, Con Edison, Bank of New York Mellon, National Grid and AECOM. Nearly 250 MWBE firms attended.
NYPA operates a multimillion dollar supplier diversity program under the direction of Debra White, supplier diversity director.
"It has been extremely rewarding to see the popularity of this event grow since NYPA held its first purchasing exchange in 1989," says White. "The annual growth of this event mirrors the success of minority and women-owned firms. Over the years MWBEs have won larger and larger shares of business from the government and private sectors. At NYPA, that's a trend we want to encourage."
For New York State's fiscal year 2011-2012, NYPA awarded $67.6 million of its reportable expenditures to state-certified MWBE firms, exceeding its previous record, set in 2009, by approximately $4.5 million.
WSSC supplier diversity head recognized by Maryland minority business group
 Laurel, MD – Towanda R. Livingston, director of the small, local and minority business enterprise (SLMBE) office of the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), was honored in May by the Maryland Washington Minority Contractors Association (MWMCA). Livingston was named the "best leader in providing opportunities to minority-owned firms."
Livingston was recognized for WSSC's new Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program, adopted in March 2011, and her advocacy of minority and women-owned businesses. WSSC's MBE program has both race-and-gender-neutral and race-and-gender-conscious remedies to address underutilization of specific classes of minority and-women-owned businesses in WSSC-funded contracts.
In fiscal 2011, SLMBE exceeded its goal for contracting awards to minority and women-owned businesses. WSSC awarded $133 million in contracts to MBE firms in FY 2011 compared to $77 million the previous fiscal year.
Livingston "is the passionate, driving force behind SLMBE's slogan, 'Diversity…just the way we do business,'" says WSSC general manager and CEO Jerry N. Johnson. "Her advocacy on behalf of WSSC and women and minority-owned businesses not only brings opportunities to these businesses and their employees, but to the entire community."
MWMCA is a member organization that advocates for minority business inclusion in all public and private procurement. It has aligned itself with strategic corporate partners since 2002.
Details of WSSC's MBE program can be viewed on the WSSC website, www.wsscwater.com.
Master Key Consulting names David Fraley new president
 Bethesda, MD – Master Key Consulting, a Native American-owned IT and professional services consulting firm serving the federal government, has named David Fraley, a longtime executive with Gartner, Inc and a U.S. Army reserve officer, as the company's new president. Fraley will guide the company as it continues to grow.
"David Fraley brings a proven record of success and a keen understanding of what it takes to meet and exceed customer expectations," says Jonathan Wilber, founder and CEO of Master Key Consulting and a member of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin. "David is personally and professionally aligned with our core values and mission, demonstrated by his military service and strategic business success."
"Master Key is an exciting company with a unique market presence," Fraley says. "It generates high customer loyalty, due to its outstanding delivery and its core values and ethical principles."
Fraley spent the last twelve years with Gartner, working in its consulting and research business. In his last position as a VP and senior managing partner, he led Gartner's U.S. Army services business. In 2010, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he was responsible for solving critical material shortages in theater. He previously commanded a cyber warfare battalion and has served in numerous leadership and staff positions.
Master Key specializes in IT strategy consulting, program and project management, infrastructure services, and solutions engineering. Please visit www.masterkeyconsulting.com.
June/July 2012
NGLCC supplier diversity partner Carol Attak is a White House Champion of Change
 Washington, DC – Accenture supplier diversity program manager Carol Attak has been named a Champion of Change by the White House. As part of President Obama's "Winning the Future Across America" initiative, Attak was honored with a group of business leaders who are mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs. She was nominated by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
"I'm honored to have been nominated by NGLCC, and I am excited to have represented so many supplier diversity professionals who believe an inclusive business environment is centered around learning, teaching, and leading," said Attak.
NGLCC president and co-founder Justin G. Nelson noted Attak's support for the LGBT business owners she helps counsel through NGLCC mentorship programs. "Carol is not only an accomplished professional in supplier diversity, but also a committed mentor for diverse businesses," said Nelson.
Attak helps manage Accenture's diverse supplier development program, a formal mentoring program in which Accenture executives team with selected minority, women, LGBT-owned, small and other diverse suppliers to help them develop and grow their businesses. By the end of 2012, the program will have mentored more than fifty diverse business entities, and Accenture has plans to enhance and evolve the program in the coming years.
For more information on NGLCC, see www.nglcc.org.
PG&E leads CA utilities in diverse supplier spending
 San Francisco, CA – Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) achieved an all-time high of $1.61 billion in spending with diverse suppliers in 2011, accounting for 36.6 percent of its total procurement budget. According to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), PG&E spent more on products and services from businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans than any of the more than thirty other utilities and telecommunication companies in California.
PG&E has been committed to diversity and inclusion for more than three decades, supporting economic development and job creation in the communities it serves. PG&E partners with diverse suppliers to generate innovation and increase competition while contributing to their revenue growth. In addition, the utility provides many small businesses with technical assistance training.
RHA, Inc is a certified minority- owned business that implements and administrates energy efficiency programs for PG&E, including energy audits, home and business weatherization, customer energy education, energy training, and direct installation of energy efficiency measures.
Craig Smith, chief executive officer of RHA, Inc, said, "RHA has grown substantially since partnering with PG&E. RHA has a staff of 330 in five offices throughout California, three of which are located in PG&E's territory. Our comprehensive subcontractor network of thirty-five employs more than 1,784 in northern and central California alone and includes ten minority and women-owned businesses. Our long-standing partnership with PG&E has been pivotal in impacting and serving diverse communities and small businesses with energy efficiency measures and financial savings."
For info on PG&E's supplier diversity program and CPUC certification, visit www.pge.com/supplierdiversity.
Pitney Bowes hosts second supplier diversity summit
 Stamford, CT – At Pitney Bowes' second annual supplier diversity summit, leaders of Pitney Bowes business areas, and many of the company's prime suppliers, had an opportunity to meet with current and potential diverse suppliers.
Pitney Bowes chairman, president, and CEO Murray Martin kicked off the summit with remarks on the value that supplier diversity brings to Pitney Bowes. Keynote speaker Al Williams,  chief procurement officer at Accenture, talked about the innovation and world- class services that diverse businesses bring to global enterprises. Pamela Prince-Eason, president of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and Dr Fred McKinney, president of the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council, a regional affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, also spoke.
One-on-one matchmaker sessions between diverse suppliers and potential customers were part of the day, as were workshops and lots of informal mentoring. "Our diverse suppliers are innovative, dedicated, high-quality partners. They give us a competitive advantage that is good for us and good for our customers," Martin notes.
In 2011, Pitney Bowes' commitment to supplier diversity resulted in a notable increase in the inclusion of diverse suppliers in sourcing opportunities, and strong spending with diverse suppliers. Pitney Bowes was recently honored by WBENC as one of America's top corporations for women's business enterprises.
Ninety-year-old Pitney Bowes provides software, hardware and services that integrate physical and digital communications channels through advanced customer communications management.
SDG&E honored with supplier diversity awards
 San Diego, CA – At its May awards ceremony, the San Diego regional Minority Supplier Development Council (MSDC) honored San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) with its President's Award, which recognizes individuals or corporations that have demonstrated exemplary leadership through their accomplishments in supplier diversity. SDG&E was also a finalist for Corporation of the Year.
SDG&E chairman and CEO Jessie J. Knight, Jr., delivered the keynote speech that kicked off MSDC's Supplier Diversity Achievement Week. Knight noted that there are opportunities for diverse businesses to get involved in Smart Grid and renewable energy innovations.
Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox to co-host first MLB diversity business summit
New York, NY – In July, Major League Baseball and the Chicago White Sox will co-host the first-ever MLB diversity business summit at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The event will provide attendees with access to HR and procurement executives from MLB's central office, all thirty MLB clubs, MLB Network, MLB Advanced Media and minor league baseball clubs. For information and registration, see MLB.com/diversitysummit.
This sports diversity employment and business opportunity trade fair will give entrepreneurs and job seekers an opportunity to network directly with club and sponsorship decision-makers for business and employment opportunities. The agenda for the event will include league-wide networking, an exhibit floor, special presenters, workshops and executive roundtable discussions.
YWCA honors SD execs as Career Women of Achievement
Cincinnati, OH – Two supplier diversity leaders were among eight exceptional women selected as this year's YWCA Career Women of Achievement. They were honored at the YWCA Salute to Career Women of Achievement luncheon in May.
The honorees include Linda W. Clement-Holmes, chief diversity officer and SVP of global business services at Procter & Gamble, and Pamela Coleman-Brailsford, senior director, supplier diversity and sustainability at Cintas Corporation.
This year's honorees were selected from nearly seventy nominees. Nominations were made by businesses, organizations and individuals. An independent panel of five community leaders selected those best exemplifying personal career success, dynamic leadership qualities and the unique ability to serve as role models.
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