proactive measures” to ensure greater inclusion.
Strengths
- SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
- SR. MANAGEMENT
- EMPLOYEE BASE
NORDSTROM Location: Seattle Type of Business: Upscale apparel & shoe retailer Diversity Contact: Delena Sunday, Executive VP, Human Resources & Diversity Affairs
The retailer seeks to boost employee diversity through recruitment and retention efforts. “Nordstrom’s commitment to supplier diversity has been strong for many years,” says Victor Valdez, president of the Northwest Minority Business Council. The retailer has played a lead role in embracing new business models to increase business opportunities with minority-owned companies. “One thing Nordstrom can be very proud of is that it spends procurement dollars on items across the board,” says Valdez.
Strengths BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PEPCO HOLDINGS INC. Location: Washington, DC Type of Business: Utilities, gas & electric Diversity Contact: Joy Dorsey, Director of Diversity & HR Strategic Planning
With $7.2 billion in revenues last year, Pepco Holdings is one of the largest utility companies
in the mid-Atlantic region. It employs 5,592 employees, of which 1,456 are African American. And though it has a modest score for hiring blacks, the company does well in the area of senior management representation and board representation. Of the 13 board members, three are African Americans and of the 51 senior managers, nine are ethnic minorities, including six African Americans. Pepco did well in these two areas, according to Wanda Paradis, a diversity consultant, because the company understands the importance of having diversity within all ranks.
Strengths
- SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
- SR. MANAGEMENT
- EMPLOYEE BASE
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
THE PEPSI BOTTLING GROUP Location: Somers, NY Type of Business: Beverage Diversity Contact: Rhonda Curry, Senior Manager, Diversity & Staffing
The Pepsi Bottling Group, the world’s largest manufacturer, seller, and distributor of Pepsi-Cola beverages, generates nearly $11 billion in annual sales and shares its wealth by spending millions in procurement contracts with ethnic minority suppliers. PBG also created a Website to service its minority and women enterprise program. PBG’s diversity efforts are reflected in its more than 30,000 employees; roughly one-third are ethnic minorities. Curry says PBG “leverages the diversity that exists within our employees, company, customers, and communities to create a competitive advantage in the marketplace.”
Strengths SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
PEPSICO Location: Purchase, NY Type of Business: Beverage & snacks Diversity Contact: Ronald Parker, Senior VP, Human Resources, FLNA
PepsiCo is dedicated to spending its dollars with minority vendors. Supplies, services, and raw materials provided by minority-owned businesses account for a large portion of the company’s $100 billion in total purchases. PepsiCo’s spending with minority suppliers increased in 2003 despite overall purchasing reduction, according to The National Minority Supplier Development Council, which presented the beverage conglomerate with both its Leadership Award and Corporation of the Year Award in 2004. NMSDC reports that PepsiCo has made significant progress in core business areas such as sweeteners, packaging, and equipment.
Strengths
- SUPPLIER DIVERSITY
- SR. MANAGEMENT
- BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PG&E CORP. Location: San Francisco Type of Business: Utilities, gas & electric Diversity Contact: Russell Jackson, Senior VP, Human Resources
PG&E Corp., the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Co., has shown a commitment to diversity on its board of directors for decades. Barry Lawson Williams, president of Williams Pacific