'The Stars of Supplier Diversity Shine in Detroit'

MMBDC Announces the 26th Annual Award Winners

DETROIT, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On September 29 at the Detroit
Symphony Orchestra/Max Fisher Music Center, MMBDC held its 26th Annual Awards.
The theme for this year's awards: "Celebrating the Stars of Supplier
Diversity."

This honor recognizes the best and brightest of companies in Michigan and
across the world. "The award winners have shown that despite the recent
economic turmoil, they remained committed to maintaining, growing and
strengthening their diversity," said Bob Socia, GM Vice President of Global
Purchasing and Supply Chain and Chairman of the MMBDC. "These organizations
understand that to succeed in today's global marketplace, you need a diverse
team that brings together a wide range of talents, ideas and perspectives."

These awards are presented to corporations and individuals who actively
include certified minority suppliers in their procurement opportunities;
assist in the development of minority suppliers; promote supplier diversity
within their corporation and to their vendors.

"These corporations and individuals are the sparkle in our local economy
because of the significant contributions they're making in these challenging
economic times," said Louis Green, President and CEO of MMBDC. Collectively
through business opportunities and partnerships, they help sustain wealth and
create jobs in our community."

The 2009 shining stars of minority business are:

Minority Supplier of the Year -Class I (Sales less than $1M):
Schooner Consulting & Management

Minority Supplier of the Year - Class II (Sales bet. $1M - $10M):
Webrunner dba W3R Consulting

Minority Supplier of the Year - Class III (Sales bet. $10M - $50M):
Computech Corporation and Epitec Group (Tied - two winners)

Minority Supplier of the Year - Class IV (Sales over $50M): VisionIT

Corporation of the Year - Commercial Products: Herman Miller

Corporation of the Year - Construction: Barton Malow

Corporation of the Year - Consumer Products: Kellogg Company

Corporation of the Year - Education and Government Entities: University
of Michigan - Flint

Corporation of the Year - Finance and Insurance: Comerica Bank

Corporation of the Year - HealthCare: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

Corporation of the Year - Professional Services: Kelly Services, Inc.

Corporation of the Year - Technology: IBM Corporation

Corporation of the Year - Transportation: Ryder Integrated Logistics

Corporation of the Year - Manufacturing Level I: Lear Corporation

Corporation of the Year - Manufacturing Level II: Kongsberg Automotive

Corporation of the Year - OEM: Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing N.A., Inc.

Corporate Buyer of the Year: Scott Moore - Ford Motor Company

Jethro Joseph Advocate of the Year: Don P. Alessi - Comerica

Diamond Award: Ram Kancharla, Computech

This year's President's Award winner is Mike Lucas of GE Healthcare.

General Motors also received special honors as the chair of MMBDC. GM has
supported MMBDC and its minority businesses and corporate partners for the
past two years with training courses, equipment and business opportunities. At
GM, we understand the importance of minority business growth and understand
the importance of organizations like the MMBDC," said Socia. "This award
recognizes our support and efforts on this important issue."

About MMBDC
Founded in 1977, the Michigan Minority Business Development Council has more
than 1,300 certified minority businesses and over 400 corporate members
working to further its mission to certify minority businesses; provide access
to procurement opportunities; and develop capacity for minority business
development. The MMBDC was recognized by the National Minority Supplier
Development Council as "2007 Council of the Year" for its work with major
corporations to promote minority business development and growth. Visit the
MMBDC's website at www.mmbdc.com.

SOURCE Michigan Minority Business Development Council

Contact: Lillian Lowery, MMBDC, +1-313-873-1797, llowery@mmbdc.com