NEWS RELEASE
 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

September 21, 2007

Debra Ponder-Nelson
(405) 767-9900
Oklahoma Minority Supplier
Development Council

The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (OMSDC) will present its 17th Annual Minority Business Leadership Awards Dinner on Thursday, October 4, 2007, at the Renaissance Tulsa Hotel in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The evening will begin with a networking reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. 

Awards will be presented to the Outstanding Minority Suppliers of the Year.  These awards are being presented to four minority suppliers for excellence in service and business performance.  The dinner also serves as an opportunity to recognize the Corporation of the Year.  This award is given to a major corporation that has distinguished itself through commitment and dedication to strengthening minority business enterprises. 

Commander John B. Herrington, U.S. Navy Retires, NASA Former Astronaut will be the quest speaker for the Leadership Awards Dinner.  He is the first tribal Native American to enter space.  Herrington received his commission from Aviation Officer Candidate School in March 1984 and was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1985.  He reported to Patrol Squadron Thirty-One (VP-31) at the Moffett Field Naval Air Station, Mountain View, California for initial training in the P-3C Orion.  His first operational assignment was with Patrol Squadron Forty-Eight (VP-48) where he made three operational deployments, two to the Northern Pacific based from the Naval Air Station Adak, Alaska and one to the Western Pacific based from the Naval Air Station Cubi Point, Republic of the Philippines.  While assigned to VP-48, Herrington was designated a Patrol Plane Commander, Mission Commander, and Patrol Plane Instructor Pilot.

Following completion of his first operational tour, Herrington then returned to VP-31 as a Fleet Replacement Squadron Instructor Pilot.  While assigned to VP-31 he was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland in January 1990.  After graduation in December, 1990, he reported to the Force Warfare Aircraft Test Directorate as a project test pilot for the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System. 

Herrington conducted additional flight test assignments flying numerous variants of the P-3 Orion as well as the T-34C and the DeHavilland Dash 7.  Following his selection as an Aeronautical Engineering Duty Officer, Herrington reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School where he completed a Master of Science degree in aeronautical engineering in June 1995. 

Herrington was assigned as a special projects officer to the Bureau of Naval Personnel Sea Duty Component when selected for the astronaut program.  He has logged over 3,800 flight hours in over 30 different types of aircraft.

Selected by NASA in April 1996, Herrington reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1996.  He completed two years of training and evaluation, and is qualified for flight assignment as a mission specialist.  Herrington was assigned to the Flight Support Branch of the Astronaut Office where he served as a member of the Astronaut Support Personnel team responsible for Shuttle launch preparations and post-landing operations.  He flew on STS-113 logging over 330 hours in space, including 3 EVAs totaling 19 hours and 55 minutes.  Herrington retired from the navy and NASA in July 2005 and currently works for Rocketplace Limited. 

Space Flight Experience:
STS-113 Endeavour (November 23- December 7, 2002) was the sixteenth Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station.  Mission accomplishments included the delivery of the Expedition-Six crew, the delivery, installation and activation of the PI Truss, and the transfer of cargo from Shuttle to the Station.  During the mission Herrington performed three EVAs totaling 19 hours and 55 minutes.  STS-113 brought home the Expedition-five crew from their 6-month stay aboard the Station.  Mission duration 13 days, 18 hours and 47 minutes.

The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (OMSDC) is a privately funded, non-profit corporation established in 1976.  The mission of the OMSDC is to assist major corporations and public sector agencies in creating a business environment that promotes access and increases opportunities for minority-owned businesses.  The OMSDC serves as an avenue for increasing business opportunities and expanding capabilities for minority businesses.  For major corporations, the OMSDC serves as a reliable source for identifying bona-fide minority suppliers. 

The OMSDC is one of 39 regional purchasing councils nationwide, and has been promoting minority purchasing for more than 31 years.  The number of certified minority businesses has grown from 19 to 254.  

We encourage participation from the public in saluting "The Outstanding Minority Suppliers of the Year" and the "Corporation of the Year."  Seating is limited, and reservations are required.  Call the OMSDC office at (405) 767-9900 to make reservations.  Click here for your invitation.  Click here for the response card.