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The U.S. Department of Commerce’s MBDA Announces National MED Week Virtual Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

2020 National Minority Business Award Winners to be honored during Minority Enterprise Development

(MED) Week WASHINGTON (September 13, 2020) — Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) proudly announced that it will host the 2020 National MED Week Conference virtually from September 14-18. Through a robust schedule of keynote remarks, plenary discussions, and breakout sessions, MED Week will offer minority business owners advice, industry insights, and empowering stories to promote success. 

“On behalf of the Nation’s 11 million minority business enterprises, the U.S. Department of Commerce is honored to lead National MED Week, celebrating the fortitude of America’s most successful minority business enterprises,” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross.  “MBDA supports not just minority businesses, but the economic development of our entire country, which has been a critical element to the recovery of American business communities during this challenging time.”

This year, MBDA transformed its traditional programming to fit the dynamic virtual conference environment.  Hosting more than 20 unique forums featuring award recognitions, inspirational stories, industry sessions, and networking connections, this year’s virtual conference has something for everyone. 

“We felt it was important to continue the MED Week tradition in a meaningful way, during a time where businesses need our help more than ever,” said David J. Byrd, MBDA National Director.  “We look forward to acknowledging, recognizing, and encouraging the well-deserved accomplishments and ingenuity being demonstrated in the minority business community at this critical time.”

 

2020 Minority Business Enterprise Award RECIPIENTS:

Robert J. Brown Minority Business Enterprise of the Year is presented to Carter Health Disposables LLC a provider of personal protective equipment (PPE) and healthcare supplies for compounding pharmacy clean-room environments, labs, operating rooms, oncology and other healthcare service departments and facilities where medical and/or disposable supplies are needed.

Minority Construction Firm of the Year is presented to Corporate Environmental Risk Management, LLC  an environmental construction management company providing customized solutions to its energy, environmental, facilities, federal, transportation and water resources to clients throughout the Southeastern United States.

Minority Export Firm of the Year is presented to Aventure Aviation, a leading aftermarket aviation parts supplier and exporter.  Aventure Aviation provides parts, component repair management for commercial airlines, regional operators, military air forces, and MRO facilities to clients in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Minority Health Products and Services Firm of the Year is presented to Sourcemark, LLC a medical devices product innovation, manufacturing, and distribution company providing affordable solutions for hospitals, health systems, pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories and physician offices.

Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year is presented to Y-Not Manufacturing who pivoted operations in early 2020 and leveraged its manufacturing and distribution capabilities to provide high-quality, reliable PPE and protective products to fulfill the critical needs of hospitals and healthcare organizations battling COVID-19.

Minority Marketing and Communications Firm of the Year is presented to Montage Marketing Group, a provider of marketing outreach, engagement, and communications services to government, commercial, and nonprofit clients nationwide. A team of diverse, multilingual, subject-matter experts, Montage excels at achieving inclusive and impactful marketing solutions to complex problems.

Minority Professional Services Firm of the Year is presented to Esolvit, Inc., an end-to-end solutions provider specializing in IT staffing, deliverable based IT services, information management, IoT, and artificial intelligence to deliver sustaining and cutting-edge technologies to thousands of clients worldwide. 

Minority Technology Firm of the Year is presented to KFA, Inc. an information technology consulting and services firm that specializes in technology solutions for smart cities and the architecture, engineering, construction and capital facilities industry.

Minority Veteran-Owned Firm of the Year is presented to FedBiz IT Solutions, LLC, a small business solution provider and reseller of information technology and emerging technology solutions, including, enterprise storage systems, telecommunications, physical and cyber security, data center management, and Cloud/Virtual solutions.

 

2020 Champions of Minority Business Development:

Access to Capital Award is presented to FSB Agency, Inc., a company supporting the bonding and capital financing needs of small businesses, with a special interest in minority business enterprises.

Advocate of the Year Award is presented to John Shoraka, co-founder and Managing Director for GovContractPros  focused on outreach to Congress and federal agencies on behalf of small, minority-owned, disadvantaged businesses, and tribally-owned businesses, in resolving small business participation issues in the federal market place, and in  working with industry associations to educate Congressional committees on the benefits and recommended improvements to strengthen small business programs. 

Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award is presented to Forma Automotive Group, the first Hispanic women-owned direct part supplier for Toyota’s San Antonio truck manufacturing facility.  Forma Automotive has more than 200 vendors in their supply chain and since inception has consistently grown its procurement spend with diverse suppliers. In 2019, the company spent more than $2.4M with minority-owned firms.  

 

2020 Individual recognitions:

Ronald H. Brown Leadership Award is presented to Salvador M. Enriquez, Supplier Diversity Manager for Wells Fargo Bank, for his dedicated career in both the public and private sectors, supporting minority business enterprises diversity inclusion, capacity building, and increased spend with small and minority firms.

Abe Venable Legacy Award is presented to Diane E. Sumpter, President and CEO of DESA, Inc., for her commitment to advocating on behalf of the minority business community in South Carolina for over 34 years, yielding positive results in the growth and development of small and minority businesses.