N E W S   R E L E A S E 

"OMSDC SELECTS THE OUTSTANDING MINORITY BUSINESSES OF THE
YEAR AND THE OUTSTANDING CORPORATION OF THE YEAR" 

The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (OMSDC), together with the dinner sponsorship of OGE Energy Corporation and title sponsorship of ConocoPhillips, held its 21st Annual Minority Business Leadership Awards Dinner on October 6, 2011, at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

The OMSDC recognized the Outstanding Minority Businesses of the Year and The Corporation of the Year. These Outstanding Business Awards were given to minority businesses that have distinguished themselves by demonstrating excellence in service and business performance. The awards were given in four classes: Class 1, annual sales less than $1 million; Class 2, annual sales between $1 million and $10 million; Class 3, annual sales between $10 million and $50 million and Class 4, sales greater than $50 million.

Natural Evolution, Inc. was the "Class 1" award winner. Natural Evolution, Inc. is a Native-American owned company located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Natural Evolution is an electronics recycling company. Natural Evolution’s capabilities include recycling anything with a circuit board – however, they do not accept items with bio-hazards, flammable liquids or Freon at this time. NEI operates at a 98% Recycle rate, all of their materials are recycled within the US & Canada including glass & circuit boards. All hard drives are sanitized or destroyed. Data security is non-negotiable. They offer asset resale & revenue sharing.

Cherokee Data Solutions was the "Class 2" award winner. Cherokee Data Solutions is a Native-American company based in Claremore, Oklahoma. Pamela Huddleston Bickford founded Cherokee Data Solutions in November of 2001 specializing in technology and office supplies. In the last five years, Cherokee Data Solutions has been blessed with numerous awards and industry recognitions. The most prominent being named the National Minority Supplier Development Council Class 1 Outstanding Supplier of the year. CDS utilizes over 600 manufacturers to source products and serves over 500 customers nationally. In addition to a full line of medical supplies and medical goods, CDS was recently named the 10th Fastest Growing Promotional Products Company in America.

I.S. Technologies, LLC. was the "Class 3" award winner. I.S. Technologies, LLC. is an African-American-owned business based in Oklahoma City, OK and was founded in 2002 by the Owner & CEO, Mrs. Iva Salmon, as a provider of information technology and training services to the federal government. IST was certified by the Small Business Administration in August 2001 as a small, economically disadvantaged business (SEDB) 8(a) program participant. In addition to business management and staff support functions, the company has three operations divisions aligned with their core lines-of-business: Training Services, Systems Engineering, and Information Technologies.

Cust-O-Fab, Inc. was the “Class 4” award winner. Cust-O-Fab, Inc. is a Native-American company based out of Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Cust-O-Fab Inc. engineers, designs, and fabricates equipment for the oil refining, gas processing both upstream and downstream, and chemical industries. Cust-O-Fab fabricates some of the largest equipment that is currently seen in oil refining and petrochemical industry. CUST-O-FAB, Inc. has complete thermal and mechanical design capabilities. Utilization of the latest computer, laser printing and drafting techniques available, as well as the most innovative shop production equipment, assure the fabrication of a quality product. They utilize advanced welding technologies and CNC automatic drilling capacity; all with an emphasis on customer satisfaction.

ConocoPhillips was selected as the Outstanding Corporation of the Year. This award recognized the OMSDC corporate member that has distinguished itself through commitment and dedication to strengthening Minority Business Development. Hubert Jones, Director – Supplier Diversity Global Procurement Services, accepted the award on behalf of ConocoPhillips.

A brief summary and slide presentation was given on each of the Outstanding Minority Businesses and the Corporation of the Year. James E. Clingman, Author and Syndicated Columnist, one of the nation’s most prolific writers on Economic Empowerment, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Cincinnati served as the guest speaker for the event. Karen Larsen, News Anchor for KJRH Channel 2 served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. Karen Larsen is currently anchor of Channel 2 News at 5:00 p.m., 6 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council promotes business relationships between major corporations and minority businesses through a number of outreach programs and activities designed to promote information exchange and effective communications. The OMSDC is one of 37 regional purchasing councils nationwide. “OMSDC is proud to Celebrate 35 Years of Service to Oklahoma’s Minority Entrepreneurs” 1976-2011.

For more information about the OMSDC, contact Debra Ponder-Nelson, President & CEO at (405) 767-9900.