Ohio - Recognizing and celebrating the achievements of its most notable MBEs and Corporate Members, the Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) hosted the 2018 Annual Awards Gala on November 16 at the Savannah Center in West Chester, OH. The Gala is the premier celebration of the year for Ohio's Supplier Diversity community, hosting nearly 650 professionals and business owners in a number of industries including manufacturing, construction, health care, and higher education

"We have gathered to recognize our Corporate Members, Certified Minority Business Enterprises, colleagues and friends for their outstanding achievement and success during this past year," OMSDC President & CEO Jacqueline D. Neal told the crowd. "Tonight is about celebrating your work and efforts toward advancing supplier diversity initiatives in Ohio and throughout the nation."

Adrienne Trimble, who assumed the role of President & CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, gave the opening remarks. In addition to highlighting NMSDC's progress for minority business development, Trimble affirmed the organization's plans for the future.

"We will get to what makes NMSDC and its network the leading advocacy group for minority business development," Trimble said. "And we will embark on a future of redefining the impact that minority business development has on economic development, community development and wealth generation in underserved communities."

Presenting the Corporate Awards were Christopher Che, President & CEO of the Che International Group and Dr. Sharad Thakkar, President of Polymer Technologies and Services. Both Che and Thakkar serve as members of the OMSDC Board of Directors. Che is the Statewide Chair of the MBE Input Committee, and Thakkar serves as Vice Chair of the MBE Input Committee for the Central Ohio region.

Presenting the MBE Awards were Fesha Buie, Supplier Diversity Specialist with US Bank and Dan Dunn, Regional Vice President & Supplier Diversity Director for Taylor Communications. Dunn serves a member of the OMSDC Board of Directors, and Buie sits on the OMSDC Local Advisory Committee for the Cincinnati Region.

After the Corporate and MBE Awards, Mel Gravely presented the Cathy C. Mock Lifetime Achievement Award to J. Phillip Holloman, Past President of the Cintas Corporation .

"At Cintas, Phillip Holloman changed the game," Gravely said. "He changed the expectations. He changed the metrics, the level of engagement, and most of all he changed the outcomes."

The evening ended with the presentation of the President's Awards and the Leadership Awards. National MBEIC Chair Clifford A. Bailey, who also serves on the Board of Directors for OMSDC, gave closing remarks for the evening.

"On behalf of the National MBEIC, and the OMSDC Board of Directors, I want to congratulate all of this evening's winners," Bailey said, before inviting all in attendance to join the Council for the Closing Reception.