By Special to the Daily World
The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Inc. (GMSDC) named Georgia Power Company Corporation of the Year during its 2011 Spirit of Alliance Awards Gala held on June 17 at the downtown Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The gala is the largest statewide platform honoring Georgia’s corporate leaders and certified ethnic-minority business enterprises (MBEs) who have demonstrated unparalleled excellence in supplier diversity and minority business development.
The event theme, “Expanding Your Reach,” underscores the ever-expanding global opportunities within Georgia and reflects the vision for future growth and development in new markets through supplier development. Hundreds of member corporations and MBE partners attended the gala where awards were presented in 15 categories.
“The Spirit of Alliance celebration, on the surface, is a wonderfully exciting experience of key recognition on a very special evening. But it is much deeper than that,” said Stacey J. Key, president and CEO of GMSDC. “Award winners collectively represent many years of hard work and commitment to minority supplier development. They recognize that minority partnerships are a powerful force in fostering and sustaining emerging industries, job opportunities and innovation in domestic and global economies.”
Georgia Power Company received the most esteemed award — winning over eight other corporate-member finalists with superior accolades — for its commitment to supplier diversity. Delta Air Lines received two special honors including the Executive of the Year presented to Chris Collette, senior vice president for Supply Chain Management for his dedication and support, and the George Lottier Rising Star award for Delta’s progressive leadership. Tim Harden, senior executive for AT&T was also crowned Executive of the Year.
The Home Depot’s Michelle Robinson won Advocate of the Year for the second time in four years. Cox Communications received Buyer of the Year in two categories – Staffing and Information Technology.
Congressman John Lewis received the distinguished Blue Legend Award for his lifetime achievements – including taking risks, pushing against adversity, and helping to level the playing field in minority business development and supplier diversity.
Along with corporate and business leaders, GMSDC best-in-class MBE suppliers were spotlighted with wins in four “Supplier of the Year” categories. Certified minority business honorees included: Event Essentials LLC-Class I; Elgia Inc.-Class II; Corporate Services Management Inc.- Class III, and Pyramid Consulting Inc. – Class IV.
Allied Logistics LLC received the 2011 MBE Eagle Award for its commitment to doing business with MBE peers. All minority business winners are based in metro Atlanta.
GMSDC is a not-for-profit organization that fosters value-driven partnerships between corporate entities, ethnic-minority owned businesses and government entities in the state of Georgia. For more information contact GMSDC at 404-589-4929 or visit www.gmsdc.org.