LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 18, 2001 — The Southern California Regional Purchasing Councils (SCRPC) plans to hand the 17th Annual Economic Development Corporate Leadership Award to Kenneth T. Lombard, LA Dept. of Water and Power's (DWP) board of commissioners President, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2001, at the Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, Calif. 90210.
"Kenneth has been instrumental in adopting initiatives that secure supplier diversity in the award of contracts at the nation's largest municipally owned utility (the DWP), and in instilling business success factors among minority businesses through his strong advocacy for strategic alliances, partnerships, and teaming," said President and Executive Director Peter Wiersma, SCPRC.
Wiersma noted that as the President of the Johnson Development Corporation and Magic Johnson Theatres, Lombard's hugely successful negotiated partnership ventures with Starbucks, Sony/Loews Cineplex Entertainment, TGI Friday's and CALPERS stand as testimonials to his belief in strategic partnering.
"On behalf of SCPRC's Board of Directors, our 260 member corporations and 1,300 certified minority business enterprises (MBEs) all of our member company and administrative staff, and I extend sincere congratulations to Lombard and the DWP for their many achievements," said Chairwoman Anna S. Johnson. "He frequently uses his own experience to encourage partnering as a tool for success at various speaking engagements to minority advocacy groups."
The dinner will begin with an inter-denominational invocation, and a portion of the proceeds will go to a California benefit relief fund for victims in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center tragedy. "The three-dozen dinner committee members decided it was appropriate to remember the New York tragedy, because it touched so many of us nationally and here in California," said Wiersma. "The committee believes this year's economic development dinner takes on a special meaning, because as we recognize corporate leadership, it's equally important to celebrate the spirit of America and honor the heroes and victims of the terrorist attack."
This year's dinner chair is Howard Chambers. Chambers is vice president and general manager of U.S. Air Force Airlift and Tanker Programs and C-17 program manager for Boeing Military Aircraft and Missile Systems. He is responsible for the business, technical and production operations of the C-17 Globemaster III transport program and other Boeing military transport and tanker programs. He is also site manager for Southern California, where he oversees the activities of Aircraft and Missile Systems units in Garden Grove, Palmdale, Long Beach and Edwards Air Force Base.
For more information on the SCRPC and minority opportunities visit their Web site at www.scrpc.org.
