What is Supplier Diversity?
Supplier diversity is a proactive business practice that seeks to provide all suppliers equal access to purchasing opportunities. It encourages supplier participation reflective of the diverse business community and promotes economic development. Diverse and small businesses are the fastest growing businesses in this country. Below are recognitions, awards and comments received by EEI member companies in supplier diversity.
2011 Top 30 Champions of Diversity - Diversity Plus Magazine
Congratulations to the following EEI Supplier Diversity Members, that were featured in the "Diversity Plus Magazine" as Supplier DIversity Champions:
- Jewel Smith, Manager, Supplier Diversity, CenterPoint Energy
- John H. Eley, Jr., Senior SC Manager, Corporate Procurement/Supplier Diversity, DTE Energy
- Joan Kerr, Director, Supplier DIversity and Development, Pacific Gas and Electric Company
- Glenda S. Thomas, Contracts Supervisor, Southern Company
- Susan Hogan, Manager, Supplier Divesity, PSEG
Comments from the 28th Annual EEI Supplier Diversity Conference, Seattle, Washington
I just wanted to say how great the EEI Supplier Diversity conference was this year. We renewed some of our previous contacts as well as made some new ones. We will definitely be there next year! Thank you for all your help.
Jugma Bora, Luitporia Software
Thank you so very, very much for all your hard work at the amazing event last week. Clearly you work with professionals who are committed to making a difference!! So many people told me this group's work makes a difference - forming strong, strategic partnerships with vendors. And so many people told me how there was a significant ROI associated with this event. Of course, there are no guarantees, clearly as a supplier our work is cut out for us, but this forum is such a terrific environment to promote productive and effective working relationships.
Kelly Frankenfeld, Energy Resources
I had a FABULOUS time at this year’s EEI conference! As always, your team did an outstanding job of bringing us together for great speakers, great workshops and great networking!! I always say, I developed my supplier diversity skills just through the knowledge I gain at this conference. I told my boss when I got back, I never thought I would get so motivated and enjoy the teachings of an economist. EXCELLENT!
Gwen Johnson, Minority Sourcing Coordinator, Cooper Power Systems
I can honestly say that this EEI Conference was one of the BEST I've attended in terms of location and content.
Seattle was just beautiful. I thought the speed dating turned out really well and the diverse suppliers were happy because everyone I talked with got to see those they wanted to see.
Rose Davis, Supplier Diversity Manager, NV Energy
THANK YOU for a great conference. This was my first meeting, and it was a great experience. I made two new utility contacts that I did not have and will result in new business for my company. Now that I've experienced what a great opportunity, I look forward to next year!!
Doug Deaton, Caerus Energy, LLC
I understand the importance of getting feedback for your hard work, so I want you to know about some of our small successes. While at EEI, I met several great diverse suppliers, and while we would like to be able to include all of them in our supply chain, it just doesn’t happen that way. However, we were able to reach out to several suppliers for NEW opportunities. (In addition to the suppliers currently being used) Since the EEI conference, we have reached out to seven suppliers for new opportunities!
Rivers Frederick, III, Lead Supplier Diversity Specialist, Entergy Services, Inc
APS Honors Eight Arizona Businesses With Inaugural "Key Business Partner Award"
Acknowledging the important role women and minority-owned businesses play in the company’s success, APS honored eight suppliers with its inaugural “Key Business Partner Award.”
“We recognize the importance of building productive and lasting relationships with our customers, business partners and the diverse communities we serve,” said APS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Don Brandt. “The eight companies honored exemplify the importance of creating strong partnerships that enable us to provide outstanding service to our 1.1 million customers throughout Arizona.
“As a company, our success is strengthened by our diverse business relationships and the economic vitality of our communities. Supplier diversity is a fundamental business strategy at APS.”
Organizations honored with the 2010 Key Business Partner Award at APS’s Tribute to Diverse Business at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel include:
- American Fire Equipment Sales and Service Corp. – Ann Papuga, President
- ATL Inc. – Frank Rivera, President and CEO
- Diversified Diamond Products – Mary Dillon, President
- Diversified Support Services Inc. – Gail Kellington, President
- EnviroSystems Management Inc. – Stephanie Treptow, President
- Great Impact Inc. – Teresa Ornelas, President and CEO
- Honey Bear's BBQ – Mark Smith and Gary Clark, Owners
- Vargas General Engineering LLC – Jose L. Vargas, Owner
APS founded its Supplier Diversity and Development Department in 1992 and has set increasingly aggressive goals. Since 1999, spending on direct and indirect goods from women and minority-owned businesses has increased 77 percent. In 2010 alone, the goal is to purchase $68 million in goods and services from diverse suppliers.
Robert Esquivel, Manager of APS Supplier Diversity and Development, said, “We selected these honorees for being the best at what they do. They provide high-quality products and services at a competitive price. A healthy supplier base contributes to the well-being of our many local economies and that of APS, as well.”
Pepco Wins Historic Award for Outstanding Supplier Diversity / Utility Captures Maryland Chamber’s Inaugural Large Company Partner in Business Award
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Pepco has been honored by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce for its outstanding contributions to supplier diversity. A panel of four independent judges, who represented a diverse group of small business publications in the state of Maryland, made the historic selection. Pepco is now the first company ever to be honored in the newly-created category of Large Company Partner in Business. In 2009, Pepco conducted business with 172 Maryland suppliers, of which 113 were large firms while 59 were small firms – the equivalent of roughly 34 percent of Pepco’s business. Upon receiving the award, Pepco Region President Thomas H. Graham said, “Opportunity and innovation are at the heart of our Diversity Supplier Program. Pepco benefits greatly from its partnerships with a variety of small but highly capable companies. That is why I am very proud of this program and deeply honored by the Maryland Chamber’s recognition.”
Created in 1987, Pepco’s supplier diversity initiative has been widely recognized as a national model for the utility industry. In the category of innovation, Pepco scored high marks with the judges because of “Sourcing Workflow,” an online and transparent tool that allows professional buyers, user groups and PHI’s Supplier Diversity team to review what is required for a request for proposal (RFP) and add qualified bidders for consideration.
Established in 2001, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Awards program was created to honor the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by Maryland’s estimated 160,000 small businesses.
Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:POM - News), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 778,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Media Contact: Bob Hainey, 202-872-2680 rshainey@pepcoholdings.com
NV Energy Earns Double Honors
LAS VEGAS -- The Nevada Minority Supplier Development Council (NVMSDC) celebrated its15th annual Excellence Awards at Caesar’s Palace Hotel, and NV Energy again played a major role in the event.
NV Energy received the award for Supplier Diversity Program of the Year, and Senior Supplier Diversity Administrator Rose Davis of NV Energy was honored as the Community Relations Specialist of the Year. The April event highlighted the accomplishments of Minority Business Enterprises and Major Corporations in the State of Nevada that have excelled in programs, products and/or services the previous calendar year. The Nevada Minority Supplier Development Council is a nonprofit organization and affiliate of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC).
The NVMSDC represents the interests of more than 300 certified minority businesses and more than 80 major corporations throughout the State of Nevada that has generated over $110 billion dollars in business since its inception.
Last year, NV Energy was selected to the NVMSDC Hall of Fame as well as winning Supplier Diversity Program of the Year. NV Energy’s Carolyne Sharp also won Community Relations Specialist of the Year.