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"In Sync 2010: Corporations and Minority Businesses Aligning for Economic Recovery"

OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE PROMOTES MINORITY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES  

The 32nd Annual OMSDC Business Opportunity Fair will be held July 28-29, 2010, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel & Tulsa Convention Center. 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 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 largest 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.

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

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20TH ANNUAL OMSDC GOLF TOURNAMENT  

The 20th Annual OMSDC Golf Tournament was held May 21, 2010, at the Coffee Creek Golf Club located at 4000 N. Kelly in Edmond, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) brought together minority business enterprises (MBEs) and corporate representatives from across the state of Oklahoma for a day of golf and networking at this event.

The OMSDC is an organization of major corporations and minority-owned businesses that share a mission to increase and expand business opportunities and business growth for minority business enterprises.

The goal of the event was to create an environment where MBEs and corporate members can make new connections and build relationships that will result in business opportunities while enjoying a day of golf.

For more information on the Council call the OMSDC office at (405) 767-9900 or visit us online at Website: www.omsdc.org.

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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 title sponsorship of ConocoPhillips, held its 19th Annual Minority Business Leadership Awards Dinner on October 1, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel at Warren Place 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. 

Cherokee Data Solutions was the "Class 1" award winner.  Cherokee Data Solutions is a Native-American company based in Claremore, Oklahoma.   Owner Pamela Huddleston Bickford founded Cherokee Data Solutions in November of 2001.  Cherokee Data Solutions created their own Best-of-Green product-line and was the first minority company to be certified as an EPEAT dealer in conjunction with the Green Council and the EPA.  The company certifications include: Cisco, Olympus, Xerox, HP, and Sony. Cherokee Data has distribution capability from coast to coast with 114 warehouses for both technology and office supply.  Cherokee Data was recently named Technology Company of the Year for both the state of Oklahoma and for the Dallas Region by REI and the United States Department of Commerce.   

D & P Tank Service, Inc. was the "Class 2" award winner.  D & P Tank Service, Inc. is a Native-American owned company based in Ponca City, Oklahoma and is owned by George W. Pease III and Brad Irons.  This company was founded in September 1962, in Fairfax, Oklahoma.  The early days of D & P Tank Service, Inc. was mainly focused on oilfield transportation and tank cleaning.  Beginning in 1979 D & P Tank Service began to expand its operations to include refinery and construction services.  That expansion required the expansion of more than triple the past workforce and double the equipment investment.  The expansion has positioned D & P Tank Service as one of the leading privately owned service companies in the South Central United States, with operations being performed throughout the great plains region, and with operations being successfully completed as far away as Mexico City, Mexico.

Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC. was the "Class 3" award winner.  Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC. is a Native-American owned company based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Founded in 2002 by Phil G. Busey, Sr., member of the Cherokee Nation and Delaware Tribe, DRG has become a leading service contractor that specializes in a multitude of business service in the aerospace, defense and energy industries.  DRG is the prime contractor for the E-3 Mission Crew Training at Tinker Air Force Base.  The company also provides training services to support Boeing and the Government for the C-17 Aircraft, F-15 Fighter and the AV-8B Harrier nationally. 

Tiger Natural Gas, Inc. was the “Class 4” award winner.  Tiger Natural Gas, Inc. is a Native-American owned company out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Tiger Natural Gas, Inc. is owned by Lori Nalley.  Tiger Natural Gas offers affordable solutions to high price gas bills for customers across the U.S.  Amid volatile market conditions and increasing gas prices, Tigers’ highly trained and experienced team of professionals use cutting edge technology to deliver cost effective solutions giving Tigers’ customers a competitive edge.  Family owned and operated, Tiger has managed the natural gas needs of major corporations, non-profit businesses, and governmental agencies since 1991. 

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 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.  Grant Long, Oklahoma City TV Analyst and former NBA Player served as the guest speaker for the event.  Terry Hood of KOTV News on Six served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. 

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 38 regional purchasing councils nationwide, and has been promoting minority purchasing for over 33 years. 

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

F.Y.I.   Pamela Huddleston Bickford – 918.343.3577                Cherokee Data Solutions

            George Pease, III – 918.640.1701                      D & P Tank Service, Inc.

            Phil Busey, Sr. – 405.721.7776                                       Delaware Resource Group

            Lori Nalley – 918.491.6998                                            Tiger Natural Gas, Inc.

            Hubert Jones – 918.661.3979                                          ConocoPhillips

Oklahoma Company among the Top Five Technology Companies Nationwide Claremore, Oklahoma- Cherokee Data Solutions 

The United States Department of Commerce`s Minority Business Development Agency(MBDA)-Dallas Region has named Claremore-based Cherokee Data Solutions (CDS) the “2009 Regional Technology Firm of the Year".  The region is comprised of 11 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. 

Pamela Huddleston Bickford (Cherokee), Cherokee Data Solutions CEO and founder, received the award which recognized the company`s outstanding achievements during the MBDA-Dallas Region`s Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) conference held August 4 in Dallas, Texas. CDS is one of just five technology firms in the nation to be so honored.  “We are committed to our customers, the environment, and to making a positive economic impact in Oklahoma and Indian Country.” Huddleston Bickford stated, “We are making a difference; it is our mission.” 

Cherokee Data Solutions was awarded “The Oklahoma 2009 Technology Firm of the Year” from the Oklahoma Native American Business Enterprise Center (ONABEC) and the United States Department of Commerce (USDoC)  in Oklahoma City on July 16^th, 2009.   CDS was rated on growth, advances in technology, economic and community impact, job creation and excellence in their field.  As a state winner, the company advanced to regional competition.  As the regional winner they now move to national competition against the four remaining regional winners. 

Established in 1969 by former President Richard Nixon, MBDA is the only federal agency tasked with advancing the competitiveness of minority businesses, and with the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, the MBDA will be working to connect minority firms with newly available resources that will help put Americans back to work. Today, there are more than 4 million minority-owned firms generating approximately $660 billion in gross receipts. These firms have not just grown in number and in revenues, but they employ approximately 4.7 million workers.  

CDS was recently named as the Outstanding Business of the Year from the American Indian Chamber of Commerce; National HUBZone Star Award; Top 30 Oklahoma Woman Owned Businesses and as a Top Emerging Company in the United States. 

The company is one of only a dozen companies worldwide to have received the environmental certification as an EPEAT certified reseller.  EPEAT measures and standardizes environmental attributes of electronic products that historically have been ignored creating hazardous waste in our landfills.  Cherokee Data Solutions is dedicated to promoting those products which have attained EPEAT certification. Additionally, the company sits on two IEEE standards committees which are defining the parameters of future environmental certifications of new products. 

Pamela Huddleston Bickford, has led the company with meticulous planning and goal setting. Huddleston Bickford stated, “We are honored to represent Oklahoma and the Dallas Region as Technology Firm of the Year.  Growth and success are not accidental.  We work hard, keep our word and have a written plan for success.”  Huddleston Bickford added, “Building excellent partnerships with programs such as the MBDA and with local organizations such as Rural Enterprises Development, TERO, OMSDC, AICCO, the City of Tulsa BRIDGE and the SBA are significant factors in strategic planning for broadening our access to federal contracts.  Bringing new contracts to Oklahoma is vital for economic impact and for creating new jobs in Oklahoma.”  More information can be found at www.omsdc.org and www.okcds.com. 

Cherokee Data Solutions
Pamela Huddleston Bickford
918-343-3577
www.okcds.com