2022 Spirit of Alliance Awards

2022 SPIRIT OF ALLIANCE AWARDS

The 40th Spirit of Alliance Awards is a time when the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council honors individuals, small businesses, corporate and government entities for their contributions to supplier diversity and minority business development in Georgia.

The 2022 Spirit of Alliance Awards stays true to its celebratory roots in achievement, tribute and recognition. The nominees, winners and the Blue Legend recipient represent the best and brightest minds in the business and ongoing advocates of progressive minority supplier development in Georgia.

2022 Award Winners

Corporation of the Year

Southern Company

Local Corporation of the Year

Grady Health System

Crystal

Turner Construction

Executive of the Year

Thomas A. Fanning, Southern Company

Supply Chain Advocate of the Year

Crystal King, Grady Health System

The George Lottier Rising Star

Norfolk Southern

Advocate of the Year

Melody Davidson, UPS

Buyer of the Year

Construction and Facilities Management
Elizabeth Ann Coffey, Grady Health System
Information Technology
Dianne DeAquino, UPS
Staffing Services
Rich Rubino, UPS
Transportation & Logistics
Mitch Plemmons, UPS

Eagle

Ernest Ellis, FS360 LLC
Sandeep Gauba, Metasys Technologies

MBE Advocate of the Year

Chondra Webster Myers, WEBMyers Construction
Sushumna Roy, Softpath System

Supplier of the Year

Class I
Green Diamond Waste
Class II
R2T, Inc
Class III
C.D. Moody Construction
Class IV
Softpath System

AWARD CATEGORIES

Corporation of the Year
Local Corporation of the Year
Executive of the Year
George Lottier Rising Star Award
Advocate of The Year
Supply Chain Advocate of The Year
MBE Advocate of The Year
Crystal Award
Eagle Award

Buyer of the Year IT
Buyer of the Year Professional Services
Buyer of the Year Staffing Services
Buyer of the Year Transportation & Logistics
Buyer of the Year Construction & Facilities Management
Supplier of the Year Class I
Supplier of the Year Class II
Supplier of the Year Class III
Supplier of the Year Class IV

AWARDS NOMINATION CRITERIA

CORPORATION OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council corporate or government member-partner that demonstrates commitment to Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, minority business development, and to equal economic access through its minority procurement or supply chain program. The Corporation of the Year serves as a sponsor of minority firms and programs, as well as, endorsed the guiding principles of Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council.

The winner of this award shall not participate in Corporation of the Year competition for a two-year period following the year of the award. The recipient of this award is eligible for the next year submission to the NMSDC national awards.

A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

LOCAL CORPORATION OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council local corporate or government member-partner that demonstrates commitment to Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, minority business development, and to equal economic access through its minority procurement or supply chain program. The Local Corporation of the Year serves as a sponsor of minority firms and programs, as well as, endorsed the guiding principles of Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council.

The winner of this award shall not participate in Pinnacle Award competition for a two year period following the year of the award. The recipient of this award is NOT eligible for the next year submission to the NMSDC national awards.

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

The Executive of the Year Award recognizes the Chief Executive Officer, President, or Senior Vice-President of a Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council corporate or government member-partner that consistently demonstrates support for minority business development, corporate spend, financial support of Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council programs, and initiatives. Additionally, the Executive of the Year operates as an integral force in their organization’s Minority Supplier Diversity efforts. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

GEORGE LOTTIER RISING STAR AWARD

The Rising Star Award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member whose supplier diversity program is active for less than 3 years and has significantly impacted the growth of supplier diversity within their organization. A Rising Star corporation has effectively taken proactive measures to advance and expand the presence and capacity of Minority Business Enterprise within their organization. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

The Advocate of the Year Award recognizes the individual (i.e. supplier diversity coordinator, manager or director) whose contributions to minority business development have long-term, positive effects. This individual is an active participant with Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council and a catalyst that openly demonstrates specific efforts to advance minority business development. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit the nomination.

SUPPLY CHAIN ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

The Supply Chain Advocate of the Year recognizes the supply chain leader (Director/Manager Level) that has purchasing responsibility and supply chain personnel direct reports.  The Supply Chain Advocate of the Year can be a manager, director or such title of a Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council corporate or government member-partner that consistently demonstrates support for minority business development, corporate spend, financial support of Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council programs, and initiatives. Additionally, the Supply Chain Advocate of the Year operates as an integral force in their organization’s Minority Supplier Diversity efforts. Corporate Buyers are NOT eligible for this award.  A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

MBE ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

The MBE Advocate of the Year Award recognizes the certified ethnic minority business whose contributions to minority business development have long-term, positive effects. This company is an active participant with Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council and a catalyst that openly demonstrates specific efforts to advance minority business development.

Awardees are individuals who advocate for Minority Business and positively impact the MBE community by working to educate decision makers, the public and the media and/or affecting policy through effective advocacy at the local, state and/or national levels. Awardees are effective influencers and have a sustained commitment to collaboration, innovation, engagement and demonstrated leadership of the MBE community.  The activities of the nominee must have taken place within the previous 12 to 18 months. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit the nomination.

CRYSTAL AWARD

The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee made up of Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s certified minority business owners presents the Crystal Award. This award goes to the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s Corporate or government member-partner that publicly demonstrates commitments to minority business development through their programs, corporate spend, and aggressive procurement opportunities.

A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate member-partner or Minority Business Enterprise shall submit nomination for this award. The recipient of this award is selected exclusively by certified Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise suppliers.

EAGLE AWARD

This award is given to the Minority Business Enterprise constituent who has demonstrated a commitment to transacting business with other certified Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprises through promoting and creating business opportunities for the economic development, job creation and the advancement of minority business development in the State of Georgia. The recipient is a certified Minority Business Enterprise in good standing with the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council and during the previous two (2) calendar years utilized the products and services of other Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprises and:

  1. Conducted business with Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise by forming alliances and/or partnerships to provide products and/or services to Corporate or government organizations.
  2. Participated in and supported Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s events and activities.
  3. Demonstrates a consistent track record in Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s Minority Business Enterprise — to — Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise (MBE 2 MBE) spend.
  4. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate member-partner or Minority Business Enterprise shall submit nomination for this award. A Minority Business Enterprise may self-nominate.

BUYER OF THE YEAR

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUYER OF THE YEAR

This award is for a corporate member-partner (i.e. Buyer or Procurement Professional) responsible for providing active contracts to Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s certified or Reciprocal Services Minority Business Enterprise in the Information Technology field during the preceding calendar year.

The contracts shall be for 1st Tier expenditures. If 2nd Tier dollars are substantial and the award is for a certified or Reciprocal Services Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise entity, then consideration shall be given to 2nd Tier expenditures.

The category excludes the Staffing sector of Information Technology. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES BUYER OF THE YEAR

This award is for a corporate member-partner providing active contracts to a Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s certified or Reciprocal Service Minority Business Enterprises in the Professional Services field during the preceding calendar year.

The contract is for 1st Tier. However, 2nd Tier is considered, if the 2nd Tier dollars are substantial, and the award is for a certified or Reciprocal Services Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise entity. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

STAFFING SERVICES BUYER OF THE YEAR

This award is given to a corporate member (i.e. Buyer or Procurement Professional) responsible for providing active contracts to Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s certified or Reciprocal Service Minority Business Enterprise businesses in the Staffing Services field during the preceding calendar year.

The contract is for 1st Tier. However, 2nd Tier is considered, if the 2nd Tier dollars are substantial and the award is for a certified or Reciprocal Services Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise entity. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS BUYER OF THE YEAR

This award is given to a corporate member responsible for providing active contracts to Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council’s certified or Reciprocal Service Minority Business Enterprise businesses in the Transportation & Logistic Services field during the preceding calendar year.

The contract is for 1st Tier. However, 2nd Tier is considered, if the 2nd Tier dollars are substantial and the award is for a certified or Reciprocal Services Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise entity. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT BUYER OF THE YEAR

This award is given to a corporate member (i.e. Buyer or Procurement Professional) responsible for providing active contracts to Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council certified or Reciprocal Services Minority Business Enterprise businesses in the Construction and Facilities Management field during the preceding calendar year.

The contract is for 1st Tier. However, 2nd Tier is considered, if the 2nd Tier dollars are substantial, and the award is for a certified or Reciprocal Services Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Minority Business Enterprise entity. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Member-partner or certified Minority Business Enterprise may submit a nomination for this award.

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR, LESS THAN $1 MILLION

The Supplier of the Year Class I award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Certified Minority Business Enterprises with annual sales less than $1 million.

CLASS II SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR, $1 to $10 MILLION

The Supplier of the Year Class II award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council certified Minority Business Enterprises with annual sales between $1 to $10 million who consistently provide quality products and exceptional service to their customers.

CLASS III SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR, $10 to $40 MILLION

The Supplier of the Year Class III award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Certified Minority Business Enterprises with annual sales between $10 to 40 million who consistently provide quality products and exceptional service to their customers.

CLASS IV SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR, GREATER THAN $40 MILLION

The Supplier of the Year Class IV award recognizes the Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Certified Minority Business Enterprises with annual sales of over $40 million who consistently provide quality products and exceptional service to their customers.

These minority businesses consistently provide quality products and exceptional service to their customers. These outstanding companies exemplify strength, power, and promote the viability of minority businesses.

The winner of this award shall not participate in this category for a two-year period following the year of the award. A Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate member partner shall submit nominations for this award. Suppliers cannot self-nominate for this category.

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