The Supplier Diversity program for both Con Edison and Orange & Rockland Utilities had another successful year in 2007, demonstrating our commitment to procurement opportunities for minority- and women-owned businesses. Expenditures to these suppliers in 2007 were $270 million, up from $246 million in 2006. In 2007, we contracted with diverse suppliers for general construction and consulting engineering services, automobile/vehicle purchases, sidewalk repairs, and foundation and paving services.
Last year, the program continued to reach out to city, civic, and community organizations, conducting seminars and attending conferences and business fairs to discuss our procurement process and find new vendors. For example, we hosted a workshop for the Regional Alliance for Small Contractors, conducted a seminar titled “How to Get Certified with Con Ed” for the Asian American Business Development Center, and hosted the Latino Business and Job Service Rising Star Awards. These events attracted hundreds of businesses and diverse suppliers and gave us the opportunity to meet new vendors and to strengthen relationships with existing vendors. These efforts have allowed us to expand our vendor base by 30 new companies, 12 of which have already received contracts.
In 2007, Con Edison and Orange & Rockland were recognized for efforts to increase diversity in all aspects of the procurement process. The program director, Joy Crichlow, participated in the New York Governor’s Corporate Roundtable Advisory Board to promote inclusion of minority- and women-owned businesses in procurement opportunities. Ms. Crichlow also serves on Mayor Bloomberg’s Task Force for supplier diversity. She was also asked to join the North Rockland Business Alliance Advisory Board, providing the company with more opportunities to foster new business relationships in O&R territory.
Ms. Crichlow was featured in the DiversityPlus magazine’s 2007 Champions of Diversity and in BusinessNews USA magazine’s First Ladies of Supplier Diversity. O&R received supplier diversity awards from the Supplier Diversity Development Council and the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. We also received the corporate sponsorship award from the Women Presidents’ Educational Organization, the National Association of Professional Women’s Club, Inc., award for economic empowerment through diversity, the New York State National Association of Minority Contractors sponsorship award, and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Enterprise Development Week award for corporate support.
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