CONGRATULATIONS to the 2012 Nominees!

WBE Rising Star                                                                 The WBE Rising Star Award recognizes a newly-certified WBE who has demonstrated the highest degree of support for and involvement with the WBCS in their first year of Council membership. Eligible WBEs must have received initial certification between September 16, 2011 and September 16, 2012.

• BridgeWork Partners
• Cover-Tek
• Ford AV
• Hicks Law Group
• JourneyOn
• Michele R. Wright, PH.D.
• Topp Knotch Personnel
• YES Communications

CORPORATE RISING STAR                                                The Corporate Rising Star Award recognizes a new Corporate (Sustaining)* Member of the Council who, because of their active participation, have made great strides in utilizing women business enterprises. Eligible Corporate (Sustaining)* Members must have joined the WBCS since January 1, 2011.

• Acuity Training Systems, Inc.
• Amegy Bank
• Ameriprise Financial
• Basden & Ivie, PC
• Dallas Zoo Management, Inc.
• North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA)
• NRG Energy, Inc.
• Omni Hotels
• Sandia National Laboratories
• Trinity River Vision Authority

WBE ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

The WBE Advocate of the Year Award recognizes a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) owner or an individual employee of a WBE who demonstrates advocacy of women-owned business development and support of the WBCS through service on committees and leadership roles on projects or activities.

• Darla Beggs (Abba Staffing and Consulting)
• Donna Bender (The Donna Bender Company)
• Carrie Brewer Martinez (CM Productions, Inc.)
• Billie Bryant-Schultz (CESCO, Inc.)
• Cathi Coan (Techway Services, Inc.)
• Tammy L. Coen (Rose International, Inc.)
• Claudette Cunitz (G-TECH Services, Inc.)
• Marie Diaz (Pursuit of Excellence, Inc.)
• Jana Harris (Harris Packaging Corporation)
• Mary Kariotis (Merrimak Capital Company, LLC)
• Lisa Martin (Xllerate Consulting, LLC)
• Lesa Moake (etc group, inc.)
• Royalyn Reid (Consumer and Market Insights [CMI])
• Pamela O'Rourke (ICON Information Consultants, LP)
• Patti Winstanley (Aztec Promotional Group, LP)

CORPORATE ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR                           The Corporate Advocate of the Year Award recognizes an individual employed by a Corporate (Sustaining)* Member who uses innovative, precedent-setting approaches to WBE utilization. This individual contributes significantly to expanding opportunities for WBEs and has demonstrated consistent support for the WBCS.

• Lisa Alonzo (City of Dallas)
• Felix Alvarez (North Texas Tollway Authority)
• Ricardo Barrientos (PepsiCo)
• Suzanne Cruz-Sewell (DFW International Airport)
• Pat Currin (Texas Instruments)
• Donald J. Devoti (Sandia National Laboratories)
• Ron Duncan (DFW International Airport)
• Chris Durant (Texas Instruments)
• Clara Garza (AT&T)
• Pat Hall (Oncor)
• Grace Hastings (Oncor)
• Heather Herndon-Wright (Energy Future Holdings)
• Cyndi Hopkins (Dell)
• Mia Lackey (Texas Instruments)
• Steve Meyer (Texas Instruments)
• Cheryl Stevens (Energy Future Holdings)
• Marilyn Stewart (Alcatel-Lucent)
• Janet Stone (Alcatel-Lucent)
• Lisa Tarmen (AT&T)
• Brandon Walker (Ericsson)
• Sandra Wicker (Army & Air Force Exchange Service)

Buyer of the Year

The Buyer of the Year Award recognizes a buyer employed by a Corporate (Sustaining)* Member who ensures WBEs are included in bid opportunities in their company's procurement process and uses innovative approaches to increase opportunities for WBEs. The Buyer of the Year Award is nominated by WBEs only.

• Jeff Armstrong (Energy Future Holdings)
• Tom Cain (AT&T)
• Russ Damron (PepsiCo)
• Ron Duncan (DFW International Airport)
• Pat Hall (Oncor)
• Stephanie Lindsly (AT&T)
• Steve Meyer (Texas Instruments)
• Greg Spoon (DFW International Airport)
• Janet Stone (Alcatel-Lucent)
• Brandon Walker (Ericsson)

WBE of the Year                                                                The WBE of the Year Award recognizes a woman owned business in each category (>$5M and <$5M) that exemplifies outstanding performance in service, delivery or added value to their clients. They consistently provide high quality products or services and use innovative approaches to overcome obstacles in servicing their clients and growing their business. This WBE also has a commitment to doing business with fellow WBEs. The WBE of the Year Awards are nominated by Corporate (Sustaining)* Members only. All WBEs who are nominated in this category will be divided into two groups.

• Consumer and Market Insights (CMI)
• ICON Information Consultants, LP
• Peak Promotions, Ltd
• Provade, Inc.
• Ricochet Fuel Distributors, Inc.
• Rose International, Inc.
• The TransSynergy Group

Corporation of the Year                                                   The Corporation of the Year Award recognizes a Corporate (Sustaining)* Member that consistently demonstrates commitment to WBEs through purchasing practices and results. The Corporate (Sustaining)* Member is valued as a leader in utilizing and developing WBEs. The Corporation of the Year Award is nominated by WBEs only. Only pre-qualified Corporate (Sustaining)* Members were nominated.

• Brinker International
• DFW International Airport
• Energy Future Holdings
• North Texas Tollway Authority
• Oncor
• Parkland Health & Hospital System
• Texas Instruments
• Think Energy

*Corporate (Sustaining) Members are corporations, businesses, government entities, institutions and other organizations that support the WBCS through annual membership.