11/26/08 DMS Office of Supplier Diversity Presents 2008 Diversity Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, NOV. 26, 2008
CONTACT: LINDA MCDONALD, (850) 921-5266
~ Annual awards recognize minority-owned businesses and corporate and government partners ~
TALLAHASSEE-The Florida Department of Management Services (DMS) Office of Supplier Diversity (OSD) presented seven diversity awards Friday at the closing luncheon of the 2008 MatchMaker Conference and Trade Show. The 2008 award winners are:
- Lisa Wilkerson, Department of Transportation: Advocate of the Year
- Gloria Pugh, A.M.W.A.T. Moving & Warehousing, Minority Business of the Year
- Department of Citrus, State Agency of the Year
- Florida Small Business Development Center Network, Director's Award
- Office Depot, Corporate Partner of the Year
- GTECH, Preeminent Partner of the Year
- Florida Gulf Coast University, University of the Year
"We advance our work and expand our outreach with the support of partners like these award winners," said DMS Secretary Linda H. South. "The Office of Supplier Diversity and DMS are committed to continued business development for our minority business enterprise customers. These government and corporate partners make that possible."
Lisa Wilkerson is a tireless advocate for supplier diversity. She spearheaded efforts to clean-up more than 4,100 minority business enterprise (MBE) records in the state's previous purchasing system, and she attends all Diversity Working Group meetings and all regional MatchMaker workshops.
A.M.W.A.T. Moving & Warehousing became state certified with the Office of Supplier Diversity in 2005 and went from a tiny facility with one truck, to become a global warehousing, storage and logistics firm.
The Department of Citrus increased minority spending in fiscal year 2007-08 by 30 percent compared to the previous year and participates in regional MatchMaker workshops.
The Florida Small Business Development Center Network helped execute regional MatchMaker workshops and provides input and guidance on the role of small businesses to OSD.
Office Depot participates in the Mentor-Protégé Program, mentoring Magnetic Imaging Supplies (a certified MBE) and contributes to the MatchMaker Conference and all diversity-related initiatives.
GTECH also participates in the Mentor-Protégé Program, mentoring Flamingo Graphics (a certified MBE) and contributes to the MatchMaker conference and all diversity-related initiatives.
Florida Gulf Coast University increased minority spending in fiscal year 2007-08 by 57 percent and worked with officials to execute the Southwest Florida Regional MatchMaker in Fort Myers.
"Our ongoing work, our annual MatchMaker Conference and our regional MatchMaker workshops are not possible without the interest and support of our award winners," said OSD Executive Director Torey L. Alston. "It is our pleasure to recognize them publicly with these awards, and we count on their continued partnership in this important work supporting the state's minority business enterprises."
This year's conference included a keynote presentation Thursday from Governor Charlie Crist, who also held a brief roundtable discussion with 20 business owners. The governor and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President Adora Obi Nweze signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement by which the Office of Supplier Diversity provides outreach as it works with the NAACP to increase the number of certified black-owned businesses in Florida from 574 to 700 by November 2009.
Friday Secretary South and Tallahassee Mayor John Marks signed the first reciprocal agreement for certification between DMS and the City of Tallahassee. DMS is working with municipalities around the state to streamline the certification process for minority business enterprises.
Secretary South also signed a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the Small Business Administration (SBA). SBA District Director for North Florida Wilfredo Gonzalez was on hand to sign the agreement. This partnering provides a key resource for minority business enterprises seeking financing, along with additional educational resources to further business development.
OSD certifies more than 4,000 women-, minority- and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in Florida. Minority business enterprises certified with the state receive the new "MBE Resource Guide" published by OSD in electronic format. The guide lists Florida's agencies, contacts and organizations, along with other information, beneficial to minority business enterprises' successful marketing.
The first step to certification is to register with MyFloridaMarketPlace at www.dms.MyFlorida.com/mfmp. To learn more about the Office of Supplier Diversity or request your "MBE Resource Guide," call (850) 487-0915 or visit www.osd.dms.state.fl.us.
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