Finalists Shine at Michigan Minority Business Development Council Annual Awards

DETROIT, -- The Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC) will host over 800 major corporations and minority businesses on September 29, 5:30 p.m. at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra/Max Fisher. This sold out event is a celebration of the extraordinary achievements of the stars of supplier diversity. City of Detroit Mayor, Dave Bing will be in attendance.

The 26th Annual Awards: "Celebrate the Stars of Supplier Diversity" finalists from 19 combined award categories include:

Commercial Products: Haworth; Herman Miller; Steelcase

Construction: Barton Marlow Corporation; URS Washington Division; Walbridge

Consumer Products: DTE Energy; Kellogg Company; Marathon Oil Company

Education and Governmental Entities: Michigan State University; University of Michigan-Flint; Wayne State University

Manufacturing I: ArvinMeritor, Inc.; Johnson Controls; Lear Corporation

Finance & Insurance: AAA Michigan; Accident Fund Insurance Company of America; Comerica Bank

Health Care: Blue Care Network of Southeast Michigan; Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan; Henry Ford Health System

Professional Services: Cintas Corporation; FEV Engine Technology, Inc.; Kelly Services

Manufacturing II: Gill Industries; PPG Industries; Kongsberg Automotive

Technology and Transportation: IBM Corporation; Ryder Integrated Logistics

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM): Chrysler Group LLC; Ford Motor Company; Honda of America Manufacturing; Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing N.A. Inc.

Corporate Buyer of the Year: Jehan M. Ghouse - Toyota Motor; Jonathan Pratt-Johnson Controls, Inc.; Scott Moore-Ford Motor Company

Jethro Joseph Minority Business Advocate of the Year: - Don P. Alessi - Comerica Bank; Brenda

Marshall- Kelly Services; Adrienne Trimble - Toyota

2009 Minority Business Supplier of the Year Finalists:

Class I (Sales less than $1M): ATS Training and Consulting; Mardon Group; Schooner Consulting and Management

Class II (Sales bet. $1M - $10M): EKS Services; W3R Consulting; Wrightway Group, LLC

Class III (Sales bet. $10M - $50M): Computech Corporation; Epitec Group; Powerlink Environmental Services

Class IV (Sales over $50M): The Bartech Group; VisionIT; L.S. Brinker Company

Diamond Award: Leon Richardson- Chemico Systems; Ram Kancharla - Computech; Sid Taylor-SET Enterprises

New this year, is a special awards presentation including local ethnic performers: The Bahweting Singers from the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians; Raices Mexicanas of Metro Detroit, The Zone Dance Center, and Mario Hayden Trio.

The 26th Annual Awards is presented by General Motors Company and Takata Corporation. The evening includes a strolling dinner followed by the awards presentation. For more information call (313) 873-3200 or visit the website:www.mmbdc.com.

Founded in 1977, the Michigan Minority Business Development Council (MMBDC) has more than 1,300 certified minoritybusinesses and over 400 corporate members working to further its mission to certify minority businesses; provide accessto procurement opportunities; and develop capacity for minority business development. The MMBDC was recognized bythe National Minority Supplier Development Council as "Council of the Year" for its work with major corporations to promoteminority business development and growth. MMBDC is a non-profit, 501c 3 organization. For more information visit theMMBDC's website at www.mmbdc.com.

With its North American headquarters located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Takata Corporation is one of the world's leadingsuppliers of advanced automotive safety systems and products. Takata is a primary supplier to most of the world's majorautomakers, with a product range that includes seat belts, airbag systems, steering wheels, child seats, and electronicdevices such as satellite sensors and electronic control units.