Illinois Utilities Host Think Tank Forum for Diverse Supplier Businesses
Newly Formed Illinois Utility Business Diversity Council Focuses on
Increasing Partnerships with Diverse Businesses in Illinois
CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The recently formed Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council
(IUBDC) held its inaugural planning event yesterday centered on creating
strategies to increase business opportunities for diverse suppliers
through closer collaboration, technical development and sharing of best
practices.
More than 20 diverse businesses participated in the half-day event that
kicked off with a luncheon discussion between the suppliers and Illinois
advocacy groups, including Rhonda Carter, president and CEO, Mid-States
Minority Supplier Diversity Council; Omar Duque, president and CEO,
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Vincent Gilbert, regional V.P.,
Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce; Georgia Marsh, chief development
officer, Women’s Business Development Center; Sheila Hill-Morgan,
president and CEO, Chicago Minority Supplier Diversity Council; Jorge
Perez, executive director, Hispanic American Construction Industry
Association and John Scifers, president, Elite Service Disabled Veteran
Owned Business Network, Illinois Chapter.
The day’s activities also included panel discussions providing
information about best practices, navigating diverse supplier processes
and creating awareness of opportunities for suppliers to work together.
It concluded with a networking event where the diverse business
participants mingled with company representatives, advocacy leaders and
panel participants.
“Through our commitment to the IUBDC, we will enhance our individual
business diversity efforts, make a greater impact in fueling our state’s
economy, and honor the core values of each of our companies,” said
Melvin D. Williams, president of Nicor Gas and chair of the board of
directors of the IUBDC. Board members also include: Anne Pramaggiore,
president and CEO, ComEd; Bruce Hauk, president of Illinois American
Water, Richard Mark, president of Ameren Illinois and Charles Matthews,
president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.
The Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council members include Ameren
Illinois, ComEd, Illinois American Water, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas and
Peoples Gas. In 2015, these companies have spent nearly $830 million
with diverse businesses.
“Diverse-owned suppliers bring different perspectives and insights that
help us drive innovation and create solutions to meet the changing needs
and interests of customers,” said Anne Pramaggiore, president and CEO of
ComEd. “Expanding our network of diverse suppliers, vendors and service
providers is key to our overall effort to establish diversity as a
business imperative and cultural value. ComEd is proud to be a member of
the IUBDC and we look forward to continuing to bring programs and forums
like that will advance the effectiveness of business diversity
initiatives in Illinois.”
The Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council (IUBDC) members
include Ameren Illinois, ComEd, Illinois American Water, Nicor Gas,
North Shore Gas and Peoples Gas. The mission of the IUBDC is to
serve the Illinois utilities as a forum for best practice sharing and
information exchange with the focus on advancing the growth and
utilization of utility-based diverse businesses in the state of Illinois.
Contacts
ComEd Media Relations
312-394-3500
