Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council

The Ohio MSDC honors businesses, individuals at the Annual Awards Gala

Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of the its most notable MBEs and Corporate Members, the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) hosted the 2018 Annual Awards Gala on November 16 at the Savannah Center in West Chester, OH. The Gala is the premier celebration of the year for the Ohio’s Supplier Diversity community, hosting nearly 650 professionals and business owners in a number of industries including manufacturing, construction health care, and higher education.

“We have gathered to recognize our Corporate Members, Certified Minority Business Enterprises, colleagues and friends for their outstanding achievement and success during this past year,” OMSDC President & CEO Jacqueline D. Neal told the crowd. “Tonight is about celebrating your work and efforts toward advancing supplier diversity initiatives in Ohio and throughout the nation.”

Adrienne Trimble, who assumed the role of President & CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, gave the opening remarks. In addition to highlighting NMSDC’s progress for minority business development, Trimble affirmed the organization’s plans for the future.

“We will get to what makes NMSDC and its network the leading advocacy group for minority business development,” Trimble said. “And we will embark on a future of redefining the impact that minority business development has on economic development, community development and wealth generation in underserved communities.”

An Ohio native, Trimble thanked the guests for providing a warm “homecoming” and congratulated the night’s Award winners.

“I’m grateful, and I’m proud of your work – and excited about the future we will share,” she said.

"This is truly a homecoming for me"

Adrienne Trimble,  President & CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, speaks to the attendees of the 2018 OMSDC Annual Awards Gala. The Ohio native and former general manager of diversity & inclusion at Toyota Motor North America Inc was named the new President & CEO of the NMSDC earlier this year.

NMSDC President & CEO Adrienne Trimble addresses the crowd at the 2018 Annual Awards Gala.

OMSDC Board of Directors member Abigail W. Kofete, Manager, Black Belt with Cardinal Health welcomed the guests. Kofete and fellow board member Clifford A. Bailey, President & CEO of TechSoft Systems, Inc., served as the evening’s co-chairs.

“Many of you know that this event, like all OMSDC efforts, took the combined talent and efforts of many inside and outside Ohio’s business community,” Kofete said. “What makes all that work possible is the continued support of our corporate members, MBEs, and you.”

After dinner, OMSDC Board Chair Elly Bradford, Senior Manager of Procurement-Planning at Honda of America Mfg., Inc. shared a moment to honor the life and legacy of former board member Scott Hardwick of Rockwell Automation, who passed away in September.

“Like me, many of you were blessed with the opportunity to know and work with Scott,” Bradford said. “He was a tireless advocate for supplier diversity and his loss is immeasurable.”

Bradford then acknowledged the members of the OMSDC Board of Directors in attendance at the Gala and thanked them for their service, as well as the OMSDC staff and the evening’s sponsors.

“Our board is a dynamic and diverse group of professionals and business owners whose collective wisdom and knowledge are here for you,” she said. “The staff of the Council work hard all year to make programs and events like this one possible. Thank you for your steadfast dedication and hard work.”

Paige Adams, Sr. Manager of Supplier Diversity for PepsiCo, expressed sincere regrets that Richard Montañez was unable to attend due to a family emergency. Adams shared her experience with his incredible success story.

“At PepsiCo, he successfully navigated his way from his original role as a janitor to his current leadership position by being unafraid to act on the power of his imagination,” Adams said.

The 2018 Annual Awards Gala was held on November 16 at the Savannah Center in West Chester, Ohio.

Dr. Sharad Thakkar (left) and Christopher Che (right) present the Class III Corporation of the Year Award to John Munson, Jr. of Macy’s Inc. (center).

Fesha Buie (left) and Dan Dunn (right) present the Legacy Business of the Year Award to Clifford A. Bailey of TechSoft Systems, Inc. (center).

Mel Gravely, President of TriVersity Construction, gives a presentation for Cathy C. Mock Lifetime Achievement Award recipient J. Phillip Holloman.

The awards portion of the evening then commenced, highlighting the growth and success of minority business enterprises and the commitment to supplier diversity by corporate members in the region.

Presenting the Corporate Awards were Christopher Che, President & CEO of the Che International Group and Dr. Sharad Thakkar, President of Polymer Technologies and Services. Both Che and Thakkar serve as members of the OMSDC Board of Directors. Che is the Statewide Chair of the MBE Input Committee, and Thakkar serves as Vice Chair of the MBE Input Committee for the Central Ohio region.

Presenting the MBE Awards were Fesha Buie, Supplier Diversity Specialist with US Bank and Dan Dunn, Regional Vice President & Supplier Diversity Director for Taylor Communications. Dunn serves a member of the OMSDC Board of Directors, and Buie sits on the OMSDC Local Advisory Committee for the Cincinnati Region.

After the Corporate and MBE Awards, Mel Gravely impressed the crowd with a presentation for J. Phillip Holloman, the evening’s recipient of the Cathy C. Mock Lifetime Achievement Award.

Established in 2017, the award honors a recipient who has demonstrated a strong commitment over many years to Supplier Diversity and Economic Inclusion. Holloman, Past President of Cintas Corporation, retired in July.

Gravely, President of TriVersity Construction, shared triumphs both personal and professional that provided a snapshot of the Holloman’s impact.

“At Cintas, Phillip Holloman changed the game,” Gravely said. “He changed the expectations. He changed the metrics, the level of engagement, and most of all he changed the outcomes.”

J. Phillip Holloman, Recipient | Cathy C. Mock Lifetime Achievement Award

J. Phillip Holloman retired as President and Chief Operating Officer of Cintas Corporation in July 2018.   Mr. Holloman had been with Cintas for 22 years and has held many positions. Mr. Holloman is a founding member of Cintas’ Diversity Committee and also received the Excalibur Award, the company’s highest award reserved for business executives who demonstrate excellence during their tenure. Holloman was presented with the Cathy C.Mock Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his strong commitment over many years to influential and impactful diversity initiatives and his substantial contribution to the business community.

The evening program ended with acknowledgement of OMSDC Board Chair Elly Bradford and Board member Joe McClain, recipients of the 2018 President’s Awards, as well as Board member Berlon Hamilton of Cleveland Clinic, recipient of the Leadership Award.

“Both Elly and Joe were able to contribute in exceptional ways that tremendously aided OMSDC in the continuation our mission and work,” President’s Award presenter Jacqueline Neal said. “They have been tireless supporters, providing OMSDC with both the financial and human resources necessary to make positive shifts as a Council.”

“As a staff, we know much of our success is tied to the countless hours others give serving our mission in various capacities,” Aaron Powell, Jr. said. Powell, a Leadership Award co-presenter, is the Director of Marketing & Public Relations for the OMSDC.

“Berlon was particularly vital in the success of multiple events through the strategic use of resources and personnel,” said Erin White, Leadership Award co-presenter and Program Assistant for the OMSDC.

National MBEIC Chair Clifford A. Bailey, who also serves on the Board of Directors for OMSDC, gave closing remarks for the evening.

“On behalf of the National MBEIC, and the OMSDC Board of Directors, I want to congratulate all of this evening’s winners,” Bailey said, before inviting all in attendance to join the Council for the Closing Reception.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO THE GALA'S SPONSORS

The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council offers special appreciation and acknowledgement to each of the sponsors and supporters who made the Gala a success. Additionally, a special thank you is extended to all volunteers, without whom this event would not have been possible.

TITLE SPONSORS

PRESENTING SPONSOR

OPENING RECEPTION SPONSOR

SILENT AUCTION SPONSOR

DINNER SPONSORS

CLOSING RECEPTION SPONSORS

CORPORATE DECORATIONS SPONSORS

                                                                                       MBE DECORATIONS SPONSORS

                                                                       MARKETING PARTNER

Honda of America Mfg., Inc. | Macy’s Inc. | RCF Group

PepsiCo

Cardinal Health

Toyota

The Kroger Co. | Turner Construction Company

Eaton Corporation | US Bank

Cintas Corporation | Danis Building Construction | Kent State University | OhioHealth | STERIS Corporation | Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority

d.e. FOXX & Associates | E.E. Ward Moving & Storage Co. | Hightowers Petroleum | KLN Logistics Corpoation | MES | Parms & Company | UNICON International

Outreach Promotional Solutions

“This celebration would not be possible without our generous sponsors. Please join me in thanking them!”

Jacqueline D. Neal, President & CEO – OMSDC

“Our incredible event is possible with your support. The members of the Board appreciate everything you have done.”

Elly Bradford, Chair, OMSDC Board of Directors

“I want to thank each   and every one of this evening’s sponsors. We could not have done this without you!”

Clifford A. Bailey, Chair, National MBEIC

CONGRATULATIONS TO GALA AWARD WINNERS

The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council offers special appreciation and acknowledgement to each of the sponsors and supporters who made the Gala a success. Additionally, a special thank you is extended to all volunteers, without whom this event would not have been possible.

CLASS I CORPORATION OF THE YEAR

CLASS III CORPORATION OF THE YEAR

CLASS IV CORPORATION OF THE YEAR

BUYER OF THE YEAR

ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

CLASS II SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

CLASS IV SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

EMERGING BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

LEGACY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR                                                                       CATHY C. MOCK LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

PRESIDENT’S AWARD

LEADERSHIP AWARD

 

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium

Macy’s Inc.

Procter & Gamble

Mike France | Cardinal Health

Angel Colón | The Kroger Co.   &   John Munson, Jr. | Macy’s Inc.

KLN Logistics Corporation

RCF Group

NextGen Fuel

TechSoft Systems, Inc.

J. Phillip Holloman | Past President, Cintas Corporation

Joe McClain | Eaton Corporation   &   Elly Bradford | Honda of America Mfg., Inc.

Berlon Hamilton | Cleveland Clinic