Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) Honors Energy Future Holdings Cheryl Stevens With William J. Alcorn Award

WASHINGTON, July 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Women's Business Enterprise National Council  (WBENC) has honored Cheryl Stevens, Vice President of Supplier Diversity at Energy Future Holdings, with the William J. Alcorn Award, a singularly prestigious award bestowed by WBENC on an individual for outstanding leadership contributions to its mission.  The award ceremony took place during the final evening gala event at WBENC's 2012 National Conference and Business Fair convening over 3,000 corporations and women's businesses in Orlando in June.  

"Cheryl Stevens is an extraordinary leader whose expertise and wisdom have contributed to WBENC's growth throughout our 15-year history," said Laura Taylor, WBENC Board Chair and Vice President, Strategic Sourcing and Procurement Operations at Pitney Bowes.  "Cheryl's vision in positioning us for the future is matched by her ability to drive impeccable results across the organization.  We are proud that she is a leading light in our community." 

Stevens is a member of the WBENC Board of Directors and is a former WBENC Board Chair.  She is actively involved in the organization, directing key strategic planning initiatives and specific programs that enable WBENC's stature as the leading advocate for and authority on women's business enterprises (WBEs) as suppliers to the nation's corporations and government agencies. 

The William J. Alcorn Award was named in honor of WBENC's first Chair of the Board of Directors, William J. Alcorn, retired Senior Vice President and Chief Purchasing Officer of the JC Penney Company, for his years of dedication and outstanding leadership.  This award recognizes exemplary leadership contributions made by individuals in support of WBENC's mission to open the doors of opportunity in corporate contracting to certified women's business enterprises.   

"Cheryl is an invaluable resource and guide in our work to enable corporations and government entities to build productive relationships with women's businesses.  We are honored to share in her deep knowledge and experience," said Pamela Prince-Eason, WBENC President and CEO.

In addition to WBENC's Board, Stevens currently serves on the Boards of Directors and Executive Committees of the Women's Business Council – Southwest; the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council; and she is a past Chair of all three organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Institute of Diversity and Commerce; and the Advisory Boards of Minority Business News and Women's Enterprise.  She is a graduate of Leadership Texas, Leadership Dallas and Menttium 100.

Under Stevens' leadership, Energy Future Holdings has become a nationally recognized leader in Supplier Diversity.  It has received numerous regional and national "Corporation of the Year" awards for Supplier Diversity accomplishments.  

Stevens has received numerous awards, including WBENC's coveted "Applause" Award.  She has been recognized by the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council and the Women's Business Council – Southwest as Corporate Advocate of the Year and was named as "A Woman Who Means Business" by Minority Business News USA.

Stevens has also been named a "Woman of Excellence" by Women's Enterprise, "Minority Business Advocate of the Year" by the Small Business Administration, and recipient of the MCompany "Catalyst Award".  Minority Business News named her to its Supplier Diversity "Best of the Decade" list.  The Dallas Business Journal named her one of the Twenty-Five Changemakers in Dallas. She was elected to the Women's Business Enterprise Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 2006, Stevens was named a "TXU Fellow", one of twelve employees in the inaugural Fellows Program made up of individuals whose expertise, attitude, ethics and innovative ideas have raised the bar for all employees.  Fellows are considered the "go-to" person in their field inside the company and throughout the industry.

A Virginia native and graduate of East Carolina University, Stevens joined TXU (now known as Energy Future Holdings) in 1979. Throughout her career she has held roles in customer relations and management.  She became manager of the Supplier Diversity Initiative in 1991 was named Vice President in 2001.  

For more information on WBENC, please go to www.wbenc.org.

SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)