Business Leaders Earn 2011 Accolades as the Women's Business Enterprise Council of PA-DE-sNJ Celebrates their Annual Awards Luncheon

PHILADELPHIA, May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's Business Enterprise Council of PA-DE-sNJ (WBEC) presented a key opportunity to showcase a regional economic impact of approximately $5 billion last year as corporation, government entities and women business enterprises gathered to celebrate the WBEC Annual Awards on Wednesday, May 11, 2011.

WBEC President Geri Swift reported that corporations supporting the Council documented more than $$65.7 million in contracts in 2010 with regional companies certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).  

Currently the Council represents 624 WBENC certified Women Business Enterprises, who employ 22,877 individuals and contribute $5 billion to the regional economy.

WBEC's annual awards give recognition to corporations and women business enterprises for their joint success in advancing opportunities for women business enterprises. The companies receiving 2011 recognition included:

• National Corporation of the Year: IBM

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 business; 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 achievements in support of the success of women-owned business; for the magnitude of the firm's spend with WBENC certified women business enterprises who are WBEC members; and for their valuable, ongoing initiatives in support of the development and growth of the Council and women-owned businesses regionally.

• Corporation Done Deals Award: Johnson & Johnson

Given to the Women's Business Enterprise Council member reporting Done Deals and had the highest amount of spend and deals with WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey. With over $54 million in spend, this is the second time that Johnson & Johnson received this recognition from WBEC.

• Done Deals Award – Women Business Enterprise: ASK Foods, Inc., Palmyra, PA.

To the Women Business Enterprise who reported their Done Deals and had the highest number of spend and deals with WBENC Certified Women Business Enterprises in Pennsylvania, Delaware and southern New Jersey.

• Shining Star Award: Angela Dowd-Burton, Executive Director, Office of Economic Opportunity, City of Philadelphia; Yvette S. Porter, Small Business Liaison Officer, Highmark Inc.; Tracy White, Category Leader, Corporate Goods and Services, Global Sourcing, ConvaTec Inc.

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:  Cindy Towers, President and CEO, JuriStaff Inc. Philadelphia, PA

The WBE Leadership Award is presented to a WBENC certified woman business enterprise for her business acumen, mentoring activities, community service and commitment to women's business development.

The Women's Business Enterprise Council is a purchasing council for nationally certified women's business enterprises.  Established in 2000, 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 women business enterprises and purchasing entities, including major corporations and government agencies.  

SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise Council