Samuel Combs III
Keynote Speaker

The 32nd Annual OMSDC Business Conference & Opportunity Fair will be held July 28-29, 2010, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel & Tulsa Convention Center. The theme this year is: "In Sync 2010: Corporations and Minority Businesses Aligning For Economic Recovery". This hallmark event will bring together, in one location, corporate, government and minority business representatives for the purpose of establishing business alliances and partnerships. The OMSDC Business Opportunity Fair is the largest procurement show in the state devoted exclusively to promoting partnerships and business opportunities between major corporations and minority businesses. The Title Sponsor for this event is ConocoPhillips.

The conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for minority businesses to make numerous sales calls to large major corporations, government agencies and other minority businesses. Minority businesses will take center stage and showcase their products or services to the largest major corporations in the state of Oklahoma. Major corporations will be able to identify and explore business opportunities with the largest and most diverse group of minority suppliers in the state of Oklahoma. The conference provides opportunities for all who attend to make new contacts while enjoying a variety of motivational, educational and networking events.

The Business Conference and Opportunity Fair is the premiere event of the year for the Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council. The OMSDC has planned a stimulating line-up of events which includes, a Welcome To Tulsa Reception, Seminars and Workshops, a Power Luncheon and the Annual Business Opportunity Fair. The seminars and workshops include topics on: Keys To Successful Negotiations: The Art of Negotiating Contracts, Government Contracting: Trends and Issues, Capacity Building, Aligning Minority Supplier Development with the Strategic Planning Process, and Marketing Your Business in 2010.

The keynote speaker for the power luncheon will be Samuel Combs III. Samuel Combs III believes in the power of great leadership, and its potentially game-changing impact on growth and performance. Sam is an executive partner of GiANT Partners a privately-held management consulting firm based in Oklahoma. GiANT Worldwide specializes in helping CEOs and senior executives increase their personal and organizational leadership capacity, and to implement business capital and growth strategies through its four divisions: GiANT Partners; GiANT Capital; GiANT Impact and GiANT Experiences. With additional offices in Atlanta and Dal¬las, along with 19 international distributors, GiANT is one of the nation’s largest growth organiza¬tions impacting over one-half million leaders and companies each year. Sam is involved with all of the GiANT companies and leads the group’s energy practice.

Prior to joining GiANT, Sam enjoyed a long and successful corporate career that culminated in his rise to president of Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, and then to president of ONEOK Distribution Companies. ONEOK Distribution Companies is the natural gas distribution segment of Fortune 500 diversified energy company ONEOK, Inc., and is among the nation’s largest natural gas utility operators serving over 2 million customers in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas. During his tenure Combs led ONEOK Distribution Companies to multiple years of record growth in returns and profitability.

For years, Sam has committed his resources and leadership skills to community service, focusing on youth, education and economic development. He is currently president of the REYAP youth agriculture program, and a board member of the John Hope Franklin Center, Tulsa Historical Society, and the University of Tulsa’s “Friends of Finance”. He was a charter senate appointment to the Economic Development Generating Excellence (EDGE) Fund Policy Board, and served on the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission. Sam co-chaired the “Step Up Tulsa” community revitalization initiative; is a past-chairman of the Oklahoma State University Alumni Association and the Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City, and a past-president of Leadership Oklahoma. His professional and industry affiliations have included the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Na¬tional Society of Professional Engineers, American Gas Association and service on the Southern Gas Association board of directors. He is a director of First Fidelity Bank, NA and a member of the Executive Leadership Council.

Sam’s entrepreneurial pursuits include being an owner of the WNBA - Tulsa Shock franchise, while also serving on the Tulsa Sports Commission’s executive committee. He has twice been recognized as one of the most powerful African-Americans in corporate America by Black Enter¬prise magazine (2005 & 2009); honored as an “Oklahoma Star” by the governor; and, received Distinguished Alumni and Trailblazer awards from the Oklahoma State University Alumni Asso¬ciation (OSU). Combs received a Bachelor of Science Industrial Engineering degree from OSU; graduated from the Ross School of Business Executive Program at the University of Michigan, and has completed studies at Harvard and Columbia Universities. He and his wife Rita have three adult children and reside in Tulsa.

Karen Larsen, News Anchor for KJRH News Channel 2 will serve as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Karen Larsen anchors the 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. weeknight editions of the news.

The OMSDC is a privately funded, non-profit 501(c)3 organization established in 1976. It is through programs, services and advocacy that the OMSDC assist corporations and public sector agencies in creating a business environment that promotes access and increases opportunities for minority-owned businesses. The OMSDC has been promoting minority businesses in our state for over 34 years.

To register for the 32nd Annual OMSDC Business Conference & Opportunity Fair call the Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council at (405) 767-9900. For more information on the Business Conference and OMSDC go to: www.omsdc.org