Minority business council announces awards: 'Celebrating the Stars of Supplier Diversity' finalists

DETROIT, The Michigan Minority Business Development
Council (MMBDC) announces the finalists for the 26th Annual Awards:
"Celebrating the Stars of Supplier Diversity."

These MMBDC awards finalists contribute to over  $9 billion and 45,000 jobs to
the U.S. economy.   On  September  29 at 5:30PM,  MMBDC invites you to the
Detroit Symphony Orchestra/Max Fisher Center for a unique opportunity to be a
part of an extraordinary evening of unprecedented  networking with key
business  leaders, and celebrities  as  they  celebrate  the achievements of
the stars of supplier diversity. The mistress of ceremonies is Rhonda Walker,
a morning anchor on the local NBC Affiliate (WDIV Detroit).

"The finalists in these 19 award categories represent some of the most
successful minority businesses and major corporations from across Michigan -
and in fact from across the world. They are the key to our success and to our
very survival in the future.  They create new wealth for themselves and our
communities," said Louis Green, MMBDC President and CEO.

New this year, is a special awards presentation including local ethnic
performers representing the diversity of MMBDC.

2009 Corporation of the Year Finalists

Commercial Products:  Hayworth; 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
Michigan; 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.

Manufacturing Level 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

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

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; Epitech Group;
Powerlink Environmental Services

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

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

The 26th Annual Awards is presented by General Motors Company and Takata.  The
evening includes a strolling dinner followed by the awards presentation. 
Tickets and sponsorships are available via www.mmbdc.com.  Proceeds from this
event are tax deductible.


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


SOURCE  Michigan Minority Business Development Council