DALLAS, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. announced today that Joan Kerr, executive director of AT&T's Supplier Diversity Programs, was recently honored by the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) with the Utility Marketplace Access Partnership (UMAP) Advocate Award.
Launched three years ago, the UMAP awards recognize individuals, companies and public service commissions that have made strong contributions to promoting UMAP's supplier diversity mission. Kerr has served as a valuable executive resource to numerous supplier diversity efforts over the years with organizations such as the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), the Association for Service Disabled Veterans, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Billion Dollar Roundtable and others. As both past chairwoman and current vice chairwoman of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), Kerr has demonstrated instrumental leadership in helping Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) groups better position themselves to win business in the corporate world.
Kerr is one of five individuals recognized by NARUC this year for leading supplier diversity practices and helping DBE groups achieve equal access in the highly competitive worldwide economy.
"We're proud of Joan and the work that her team has done to further AT&T's Supplier Diversity Program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year," said Tim Harden, AT&T president of Supply Chain and Fleet Operations. "We're also deeply honored to receive this recognition from NARUC because it is being presented by key industry regulators and publicly recognizes our contribution to broadening the opportunities available to diverse suppliers."
AT&T was one of the first companies to initiate a formal corporatewide supplier diversity program with the establishment of its Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) in 1968. The supplier diversity programs are designed to promote, increase and improve the quality of the overall participation of minority-, women- and disabled veteran-owned business enterprises in AT&T's supply chain.
AT&T's Supplier Diversity Programs have been recognized nationally as world class. In 2006, AT&T was awarded the NARUC UMAP Utility Leadership Award for its longtime supplier diversity leadership and innovative programs. This year, AT&T was honored as one of America's Top Corporations for Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and ranked No.1 on DiversityBusiness.com's list of Top 50 Corporations for Multicultural Businesses. In 2007, AT&T was recognized by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA).
Kerr's leadership in supplier diversity has been recognized through her three-time receipt of the national NMSDC's "MBE Corporate Coordinator of the Year" award. She also has been recognized with WBENC's "Applause Award."
The UMAP Advocate Award was presented to AT&T on Nov. 18 during NARUC's 120TH Annual Convention in New Orleans.
About AT&T
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