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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 dinner sponsorship of OGE Energy Corp. and title sponsorship of ConocoPhillips, held its 22nd Annual Minority Business Leadership Awards Dinner on October 4, 2012, at the Sheraton Hotel in Oklahoma City, 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, annual sales greater than $50 million.

Dean’s Typesetting Service, Inc. was the "Class 1" award winner. Dean’s Typesetting Service, Inc. is an African-American owned company located in Oklahoma City. Dean’s Typesetting is a full service design and digital color printing operation for businesses, corporations, organizations, education institutions, churches, and individuals. The company’s services include the design and printing of business cards, stationery, brochures, invitations, souvenir books, programs, flyers, greeting cards, promo cards, offering envelopes, etc.

Pictured from left to right: Gerald Lewis – FAA – Small & Minority Business Development Program Manager; Debra Ponder-Nelson – OMSDC President & CEO;
Craig B. Clayton, Sr. – Keynote Speaker – Director & Diversity Strategist, University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business;
Steve Wiley – SHI International Corp. – Account Executive Corporate Accounts – Outstanding Supplier of the Year Class 4 Winner;
Chris Moody – CND, LLC. – CEO & President – Outstanding Supplier of the Year Class 3 Winner;
Byron “Burr” Millsap – The University of Oklahoma, – Associate Vice President for Administration & Finance – Corporation of the Year Winner;
Sharon Dean – Dean’s Typesetting Service, Inc. – Owner & President – Outstanding Supplier of the Year Class 1 Winner;
Alonzo “Al” Barber – ABJ Distributors, Inc. – President – Outstanding Supplier of the Year Class 2 Winner

ABJ Distributors, Inc. was the "Class 2" award winner. ABJ Distributors, Inc. is an African-American company established in Oklahoma City. Al Barber found out early in his business life, that establishing long-term business relationships with key decision makers in the communities where he does business, is very important. After 25 years of operating a construction firm as a general contractor, Mr. Barber decided he would pursue a different segment of the construction industry; wholesaling construction building materials. ABJ was one of 10 small businesses chosen to enter into the Distributor Alliance Program with Ferguson Enterprises.

CND, LLC. was the "Class 3" award winner. CND, LLC. is a tribally owned company based in Stilwell, OK and was established in 1988. CND has a rich history of providing manufactured products, staffing and mission support to the Government. CND is now primarily a manufacturer of electro-mechanical assemblies for commercial companies who support the Government.

SHI International Corp. was the “Class 4” award winner. SHI International Corp. is an Asian-Pacific American owned company based out of Somerset, New Jersey. From software and hardware procurement to deployment planning, configuration, data center optimization, IT asset management, and cloud computing, SHI offers custom IT solutions for every aspect of your environment. Privately-held and under the guidance of its President & CEO, Thai Lee, since its founding, SHI’s organic growth and two decades of stability are a direct result of backing a highly-skilled and tenured sales force with software volume licensing experts, hardware procurement specialists, and certified IT services professionals for the household names of IT.

The University of Oklahoma 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. Byron Burr Millsap, Associated Vice President for Administration & Finance, accepted the award on behalf of the University of Oklahoma.

A brief summary and slide presentation was given on each of the Outstanding Minority Businesses and the Corporation of the Year. Craig B. Clayton, Sr. the Founder and CEO of the Spartacus Group based in Houston, Texas served as the keynote speaker for the evening. A global consulting firm, the Spartacus Group specializes in providing organizations with executive strategies and business practices that create measurable processes that improve employee performances, productivity and profitability. Erika Lucas, Director, Global Recruitment & Trade Division for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce 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 36 regional purchasing councils nationwide.

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

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"OKLAHOMA CONFERENCE PROMOTES MINORITY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES"

The 34th Annual OMSDC Business Opportunity Fair was held July 25-26, 2012, in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Downtown Doubletree Hotel & Tulsa Convention Center. The theme this year was: "Minority Businesses and Corporate America: Connecting For Business Success". This hallmark event brought 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 was ConocoPhillips.

The conference provided an unparalleled opportunity for minority businesses to make numerous sales calls to large major corporations, government agencies and other minority businesses. Minority businesses took center stage and showcased their products and services to the largest major corporations in the state of Oklahoma. Major corporations were able to identify and explore business opportunities with the largest and most diverse group of minority suppliers in the state of Oklahoma and surrounding states.

The OMSDC presented a stimulating line-up of events which included, a Welcome To Tulsa Reception at ONEOK Field, Seminars and Workshops, a Power Luncheon and the Annual Business Opportunity Fair. The seminars and workshops included topics on: “Did You Know?” Business Forum, Fundamentals of a New Supplier Diversity Process, and Government: Opportunities for Minority Suppliers.

The “Did You Know?” Business Forum was one of numerous featured attractions and really gained momentum and created quite a buzz. Three relevant subjects of interest to minority-owned businesses were shared, including –

1. The importance of marketing yourself as well as your business in a "First Impressions Really Do Count” interactive marketing segment!"
2. A Buyers' Roundtable!! - Minority businesses had an opportunity to visit with a varied group of 26 corporate purchasers!
3. "Social Media for your Business" - Two of the brightest consultants in the industry, Ms. Julie Irvin, president of Keystone Resources, Houston TX and Ms. Tess Mack, president of Social Media Mack, Oklahoma City, shared valuable information on social media.

The keynote speaker for the power luncheon was Clifton L. Taulbert, President of the Freemount Corporation. Clifton Taulbert’s ability to connect with diverse individuals across a broad professional spectrum has introduced him to audiences from members of the United States Supreme Court; as a personal guest of Sandra Day O’Connor, to CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies, professional organizations and the Federal Senior Executive Series Forum. According to Mr. Taulbert, "Technology notwithstanding, the Human Capital remains our greatest asset." Taulbert’s workshops and conversations are strategically designed to maximize these assets. His internationally embraced book, the Eight Habits of the Heart, outlines the 'Building Community' principles he believes to be crucial to ensuring a workplace where productivity is valued and mutual respect is a way of life. He introduced his most recent book, Eight Habits of the Heart for Educators at Harvard University Graduate School of Education. The book became a national best seller within six months of publication and serves as a resource text when consulting with K-12 educators.

Latoya Silmon, News Anchor for KTUL News Channel 8 served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Latoya Silmon anchors the 5 p.m. newscast alongside Mark Bradshaw, plus you can catch her reports at 4 p.m., 5 p.m., and 6 p.m. during the week.

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 36 years.

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"22ND ANNUAL OMSDC GOLF TOURNAMENT" 

The 22nd Annual OMSDC Golf Tournament was held May 18, 2012, 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