PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 24, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At its Annual Awards Luncheon held Friday, September 19, the Women's Business Enterprise Council of PA-DE-sNJ (WBEC) honored those corporations, government agencies and the Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) that have made a difference by opening the doors of opportunity to women business owners throughout the year.
According to WBEC President, Geri Swift, within its 53 Council members regionally, those who submitted their "done deals" as part of their award application reported "done deals" with 155 WBENC-certified Women Business Enterprises, totaling over $113 million in spend with Women Business Enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
WBEC has certified nearly 800 WBEs that generate $7 billion in revenue and employ almost 28,000 in the region. It also counts 53 corporations and government agencies as members, ranking it third among councils across the country.
WBEC's annual awards give recognition to corporations and WBEs for their joint success in advancing opportunities for Women Business Enterprises. The companies receiving recognition included:
National Corporation of the Year: IBM Corporation
For being instrumental in the Council's successful achievement of its annual goals; for its exemplary leadership and achievements in support of the success of women-owned businesses; for the magnitude of the firm's spend with WBENC certified Women Business Enterprises; and for their valuable, ongoing initiatives in support of the development and growth of women-owned businesses nationally.
Regional Corporation of the Year: FirstEnergy Corporation
For being instrumental in the Council's successful achievement of its annual goals; for its exemplary leadership and achievements in support of the success of women-owned businesses; for the magnitude of the firm's spend with WBENC certified Women Business Enterprises who are certified by WBEC; and for their valuable, ongoing initiatives in support of the development and growth of women-owned businesses nationally.
Regional Corporation Done Deals Award: The Day & Zimmermann Group, Inc.
Given to the Women's Business Enterprise Council Regional member having the highest amount of spend and number of deals with WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
National Corporation Done Deals Award: Johnson & Johnson
Given to the Women's Business Enterprise Council National member having the highest amount of spend and number of deals with WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
Women Business Enterprise Done Deals Award: The Maglietta Group, LLC
Given to the Women Business Enterprise having the highest spend over the last 12 month reporting cycle with WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.
Shining Star Award: Joann Harmelin, Harmelin Media; Amelia Laytham, UPS; Vivian R. Isaak, Magnum Group, Inc.; Lance Hyde, EQT Corporation
The Shining Star Award acknowledges woman business owners, individuals, companies, or government entities who have been instrumental in the successful development of the WBEC PA-DE-sNJ, and whose voluntary support of and commitment to supplier development initiatives have enhanced business opportunities for certified Women Business Enterprises.
The WBE Leadership Award: Peggy Del Fabbro, CEO, M. Davis & Sons, Inc.
The WBE Leadership Award is presented to a WBENC certified woman business enterprise that is certified by WBEC whose leadership, mentoring, business acumen, and community service have contributed significantly to the growth and development of WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises in her community.
Advocate of the Year Award: L. Jay Burks, Supplier Diversity Manager, Comcast
The Advocate of the Year Award goes to an employee of a corporate or government WBEC member who has provided exceptional support to Women Business Enterprises and demonstrated leadership in the promotion and utilization of WBEs.
WBEC also gave a special Appreciation Award to its Council Chair, George J. Ehrgott, Manager Strategic Sourcing, Sustainability and Supplier Diversity, Communications Test Design, Inc. in recognition of his commitment, dedication and exemplary leadership in supporting the growth of WBEC and WBEs.
About WBEC PA-DE-sNJ
The Women's Business Enterprise Council (WBEC) is a purchasing council for certified women's business enterprises (WBEs) in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey. The Council provides WBENC women business enterprise certification as well as educational, networking, procurement-related, and informational programs and services that foster growth and business opportunities between WBEs and purchasing entities, including major corporations and government agencies. WBEC also is the third-party certifier of women-owned businesses for the City of Philadelphia, the State of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Small Business Administration's Women-Owned Small Business Program. For more information, visit its website – www.wbecouncil.org.