Billion Dollar Roundtable

BILLION DOLLAR ROUNDTABLE INC. INDUCTS HONDA INTO EXCLUSIVE CORPORATE GROUP

Automaker Recognized for $1 Billion Annual Commitment to Supplier Diversity

ARLINGTON VA, June 1, 2009 – The Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. (BDR) announced the induction of Honda during its Annual Summit May 27-28 in Arlington, VA, recognizing the automaker’s commitment of more than $1 billion in annual supply-chain spending with diverse suppliers. Founded in 2001 as a top-level forum for advancing the practice of supplier diversity, the BDR represents an exclusive group of 16 corporations.

Honda joined Dell Inc. and Avis Budget Group as 2009 BDR inductees. New members are inducted bi-annually. “Honda is a company that long has been committed to engaging diverse suppliers and ensuring their inclusion in its supply chain. Honda demonstrates vigorously why supplier diversity is a vital business component for top-performing companies,” said William Moon, chairman of the BDR.

Honda spent more than $1.3 billion with minority- and woman-owned suppliers in 2008. Based at Honda of America Mfg. Inc., in Ohio, Honda’s North American Purchasing division manages parts purchasing for plants in Alabama, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Ontario, Canada, and Mexico.

"We view a diverse and inclusive supplier network as vital to our continued success in an increasingly competitive marketplace,” said Bob Nelson, who leads Honda’s North American Purchasing. “Our corporate goal is to bring together a diverse group of suppliers to foster the kind of innovation and vitality that will enable us to achieve our dream of creating products and technologies that make people’s lives better."

The BDR held induction ceremonies for Honda, Dell and Avis Budget Group during a dinner program May 27 at the Hyatt Arlington hotel that featured a keynote address by Karen G. Mills, administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration. The two-day summit, titled “An Integrated Approach to Fostering the Inclusion of Diverse Businesses,” offered a critical examination of a range of topics in supplier diversity, including, capacity of diverse firms, relevance of the practice of supplier diversity, certification procedures, government programs and globalization, as a backdrop to devise solutions to foster new opportunities.

"Our objectives for this year’s summit were to strengthen buying relationships between corporations and diverse suppliers and synchronize the supplier-diversity strategies of corporations, government and organizations to drive meaningful results and change,” said Sharon Patterson, BDR president and CEO. The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College joined the BDR as the summit co-host. Sponsors were Verizon Communications Inc., Johnson Controls Inc., Honda and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Download Press Release HONDA_NEW_Summit_PR.doc

BILLION DOLLAR ROUNDTABLE INC. INDUCTS AVIS BUDGET INTO EXCLUSIVE GROUP

Vehicle Rental Leader Recognized for $1 Billion Annual Commitment to Supplier Diversity

ARLINGTON VA, June 1, 2009 – The Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. (BDR) announced the induction of Avis Budget Group during its Annual Summit May 27-28 in Arlington, VA, recognizing the Parsippany, NJ company’s commitment of more than $1 billion in annual supply-chain spending with diverse suppliers. Founded in 2001 as a top-level forum for advancing the practice of supplier diversity, the BDR represents an exclusive group of 16 corporations.

Avis Budget Group joined Dell Inc. and Honda and as 2009 BDR inductees. New members are inducted bi-annually.

“Avis Budget Group has distinguished itself as a leader in supplier diversity by ensuring that diverse suppliers play an integral part of a vast supply chain that encompasses more than 238 airport locations. Avis Budget Group is the first vehicle rental corporation to join the Billion Dollar Roundtable. We welcome Avis Budget Group’s unique ideas about supplier diversity,” said William Moon, chairman of the BDR.

The BDR held induction ceremonies for Avis Budget Group, Dell and Honda during a dinner program May 27 at the Hyatt Arlington hotel that featured a keynote address by Karen G. Mills, administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration. The two-day summit, titled “An Integrated Approach to Fostering the Inclusion of Diverse Businesses,” offered a critical examination of a range of topics in supplier diversity, including, capacity of diverse firms, relevance of the practice of supplier diversity, certification procedures, government programs and globalization, as a backdrop to devise solutions to foster new opportunities.

“Our objectives for this year’s summit were to strengthen buying relationships between corporations and diverse suppliers and synchronize the supplier-diversity strategies of corporations, government and organizations to drive meaningful results and change,” said Sharon Patterson, BDR president and CEO. The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College joined the BDR as the summit co-host. Sponsors were Verizon Communications Inc., Johnson Controls Inc., Honda and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

The 16 member companies of the BDR are AT&T Corp., Avis Budget Group, Boeing Co., Chrysler LLC, Dell Inc., Ford Motor Corp., General Motors Corp., Honda, IBM Corp., Johnson Controls Inc., The Kroger Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., Procter & Gamble Co., Toyota Motor North America Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

Download Press Release AVIS_NEW_Summit_PR.doc

BILLION DOLLAR ROUNDTABLE INC. INDUCTS DELL INC. INTO EXCLUSIVE CORPORATE GROUP

Computer Leader Recognized for $1 Billion Annual Commitment to Supplier Diversity

ARLINGTON VA, June 1, 2009 – The Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. (BDR) announced the induction of Dell Inc. during its Annual Summit May 27-28 in Arlington, VA, recognizing the Round Rock, TX company’s commitment of more than $1 billion in annual supply-chain spending with diverse suppliers. Founded in 2001 as a top-level forum for advancing the practice of supplier diversity, the BDR represents an exclusive group of 16 corporations.

Dell joined Honda and Avis Budget Group as 2009 BDR inductees. New members are inducted bi-annually.

"Dell has proven itself to be a leader and innovator in advancing supply-chain opportunities for diverse suppliers. Dell is a company built on direct engagement with its customers, and it follows a similar approach in building relationships with diverse suppliers. We welcome the ideas and commitment Dell will bring to the Billion Dollar Roundtable," said William Moon, chairman of the BDR.

"We are honored to become one of the 16 members of the Billon Dollar Roundtable. We look forward to partnering with our peer members to provide thought leadership in advancing diverse businesses. Our direct culture fosters innovation, creativity and solutions, making Dell the technology supplier of choice for customers around the world. We depend on the contributions of diverse suppliers to succeed, and we continue to be committed to building and nurturing our supplier chain," said Jens Gruenkemeier, director, General Procurement and Global Supplier Diversity for Dell.

The BDR held induction ceremonies for Dell, Honda and Avis Budget Group during a dinner program May 27 at the Hyatt Arlington hotel that featured a keynote address by Karen G. Mills, administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration. The two-day summit, titled “An Integrated Approach to Fostering the Inclusion of Diverse Businesses,” offered a critical examination of a range of topics in supplier diversity, including, capacity of diverse firms, relevance of the practice of supplier diversity, certification procedures, government programs and globalization, as a backdrop to devise solutions to foster new opportunities.

Download Press Release DELL_NEW_Summit_PR.doc

BILLION DOLLAR ROUNDTABLE INC. CONVENES ANNUAL SUPPLIER DIVERSITY SUMMIT

ARLINGTON VA, June 1, 2009 – The Billion Dollar Roundtable Inc. (BDR) convened its Annual Summit May 27-28 in Arlington, VA, bringing together supplier diversity thought leaders, corporate procurement experts, government officials, diverse suppliers and other stakeholders for a robust examination of the future of supplier diversity during difficult economic times as the new presidential administration takes shape in Washington.

A top-level forum for corporations that have attained $1 billion or more in annual supply-chain diversity spend, the 16-member BDR also inducted three new members during the summit, Dell Inc., Honda and Avis Budget Group.

The summit, titled “An Integrated Approach to Fostering the Inclusion of Diverse Businesses,” offered a critical examination of a range of topics in supplier diversity, including, capacity of diverse firms, relevance of the practice of supplier diversity, certification procedures, government programs and globalization, as a backdrop to devise solutions to foster new opportunities. Karen G. Mills, administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, offered remarks at a dinner keynote address May 27.

Summit proceedings will be captured in a BDR policy paper to be published in October 2009.

"Engaging diverse suppliers is critical for corporations operating today in global markets. The summit will help lead our efforts at the Billion Dollar Roundtable to chart a vigorous course for future approaches to supplier diversity," said William Moon, chairman of the BDR.

The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College joined the BDR as the summit co-host. Sponsors were BDR member companies Verizon Communications Inc., Johnson Controls Inc., Honda of America and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The program began May 27 at the Hyatt Arlington hotel with a working dinner and induction ceremony for new member companies and followed with a full day’s discussion May 28 at Verizon Communications offices in Arlington. Nicole Ganier-Cosme, president of Los Angeles-based MAGIC

Download Press Release BDR_NEW_Summit_PR.doc

Billion Dollar Roundtable Elects Don McKneely Chairman Emeritus

Spanish Fort, Al., Wednesday, April 16, 2008 -- The Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR) has elected as its chairman emeritus Don McKneely, president and CEO of TexCorp Communications Inc. and founder and publisher of MBN USA and Diversity Texas magazines.

McKneely will serve in an ex officio capacity and offer strategic guidance and consultation to the BDR, a top-level forum for corporations that have attained $1 billion or more in annual supplier diversity spending. McKneely co-founded the BDR in 2001 and served as its chairman until November 2007.

“Don McKneely has served an integral role in the development of the Billion Dollar Roundtable. His vision and expertise helped to move the organization to a preeminent place in the development of supplier diversity strategy in this country. We are pleased Don will remain involved as chairman emeritus as the organization continues to develop new domestic and global supplier diversity initiatives,” said current BDR Chairman Jethro Joseph, senior manager, Diversity Supplier Development, Chrysler Corp.

BDR Vice Chairman and CEO Sharon Patterson, a BDR co-founder, said McKneely’s day-to-day contribution will be missed, but looks forward to working with him in his new role as chairman emeritus. “Don long has understood the value and necessity of supplier diversity. It is comforting to know that he will continue to be available for advice and consultation,” Patterson said.

McKneely, who is based in Dallas, has received more than 50 awards for his support of minority and women business development initiatives. He credits BDR members for their commitment to advancing opportunities for diverse suppliers and expects the organization’s leadership and influence to continue to grow.

“Supply chain spending with diverse suppliers simply is good business. The members of the Billion Dollar Roundtable understand that supplier diversity is a corporate imperative and are committed to sharing best practices and promoting policy positions that benefit other minority- and woman-owned companies,” McKneely said.

The BDR also announced that it will hold its fourth annual summit May 21 in New York City. More than 100 corporate procurement executives, supplier diversity managers, and heads of minority- and woman-owned companies are expected to attend. The daylong summit at the Marriott Marquis Hotel will continue the BDR’s examination of supplier diversity opportunities in the marketing/advertising industry.

BDR members include AT&T Corp., Boeing Co., Chrysler LLC., Ford Motor Corp., General Motors Corp., IBM Corp., Johnson Controls Inc., The Kroger Co., Lockheed Martin Corp., Procter and Gamble Co., Toyota Motor North America Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc.

About the Billion Dollar Roundtable
The Billion Dollar Roundtable was created in 2001 to recognize and celebrate corporations that achieved spending of $1.0 billion or more with minority and woman-owned suppliers. The BDR’s mission is to drive supplier diversity excellence through best practice sharing and thought leadership. The vision is to lead, influence, and shape supplier diversity excellence globally.

In discussions, members review common issues, opportunities and strategies. The BDR encourages corporate entities to continue growing their supplier diversity programs by increasing commitment and spending levels each year. The BDR inducts new members bi-annually. For more information, go to http://www.bdrusa.org.

Billion Dollar Roundtable Summit Targets Marketing/Advertising for Increased Diversity Spend

NEW YORK, Monday, May 24, 2006 -- The Billion Dollar Roundtable (BDR), the top-level forum for corporations that have attained $1 billion or more in annual supply chain diversity spending, hosted its 4th annual summit today in New York to examine opportunities in marketing/advertising for minority- and woman-owned companies.

More than 80 corporate procurement and marketing/advertising executives, supplier diversity directors, and leaders of related organizations attended the daylong summit at the corporate headquarters Altria Group Inc. in New York. Altria co-sponsored the event with fellow BDR member Verizon Communications Inc.

Participants examined a range of issues in marketing/advertising, including supply chain diversity, multiculturalism, best practices and procurement techniques. Panelists McGhee Williams Osse, co-CEO at Burrell Communications; Anita Laney, director, supplier diversity, GSD&M and BBDO Detroit; Victor Edozien, principal, the Asaba Group, and Icy Williams, associate director, Corporate Supplier Diversity Development, Procter & Gamble, offered views of supplier diversity in marketing/advertising in their respective areas. Breakout groups that involved all participants in extensive discussions drilled down into specific topics such as threats/trends/key drivers, the business case for marketing/advertising supplier diversity, and opportunities for diverse companies to serve the industry.

Advancing opportunities in marketing/advertising is the focal point for the BDR outreach efforts in 2006. The BDR will publish a comprehensive white paper this fall that will incorporate elements of the summit.

“This important conference helped chart the course going forward for diverse companies seeking opportunities in marketing/advertising. This is a fertile area for supplier diversity that typically generates a generous portion of overall procurement spend at major corporations. Our goal was to devise strategies to get more minority- and woman-owned agencies to the procurement table,” said Sharon Patterson, BDR CEO and co-founder.

BDR members include Altria Group Inc., AT&T Corp., DaimlerChrysler Corp., Ford Motor Corp., General Motors Corp., IBM Corp., Johnson Controls, Inc., Lockheed Martin Corp., Procter and Gamble Co., Toyota Motor North America Inc., Verizon Communications Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The combined BDR membership celebrated collective purchasing of more than $24 billion in products and services from minority and women-owned suppliers in 2004.