The Greater Los Angeles African American Chamber of Commerce (GLAAACC) presented “Utility of the Year” to SoCalGas Chief Executive Officer Scott Drury at their 29th Annual Economic Awards Dinner on March 30.
The SoCalGas’ Supplier Diversity Team received additional honors with SoCalGas Vice President of Supply Chain and Operations Support Sandra Hrna receiving the “Small Business Advocate” Award and Lily Otieno, director of Supply Chain Management and DBE, honored with GLAAACC’s “Member of the Year” Award.
GLAAACC’s annual economic awards ceremony recognizes individuals and businesses that have contributed to the economic growth of the African American business community within the Greater Los Angeles area. Los Angeles City Mayor Karen Bass was the event’s keynote speaker, and other honorees included Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian and Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson.
“Diversity and inclusion are central to SoCalGas’ long term sustainability strategy, and our success in creating economic opportunities for diverse businesses is thanks to lasting partnerships with organizations like GLAAACC,” said Drury.
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“Over the past two years, SoCalGas increased its supplier spend with African American-owned businesses by more than 50%, and we are committed to creating a more inclusive economy through a broad portfolio of activity managed by our supplier diversity team.”
“Each year we gather to recognize those that have made a difference in the success of Black businesses in greater Los Angeles,” Gene Hale, GLAAACC Chairman said. “We are proud to recognize these exceptional individuals who have gone above and beyond in providing resources, assistance, and a pathway to prosperity for thousands of Black-owned businesses.”
In 2022, SoCalGas spent $134 million with 71 African American-owned firms like Vobecky Enterprises, which provides parts to protect gas infrastructure facilities; GDM, a materials and construction sub-contractor; and SNEI, a biological consulting firm that has supported hundreds of SoCalGas projects for over 15 years. SoCalGas has supported GLAAACC’s business development and technical assistance programs to help grow and cultivate new businesses since 2008.
Through a robust portfolio of programs, SoCalGas is working to increase diverse business participation especially among African American, Native American, LGBT, and veteran businesses. SoCalGas’ Aspire 2045 strategy includes a goal to achieve 45% spending with diverse businesses by 2025.
SoCalGas recently announced a record spend with diverse businesses of over $1 billion or nearly 43% of all goods and services with 578 minority, women, service-disabled veteran, and LGBT-owned businesses, exceeding the California Public Utilities Commission’s goals for the 30th consecutive year. The company is also on track to meet its goals to increase African American vendor participation over the next five years. Over the last six years, SoCalGas spent nearly $5 billion with diverse business enterprises.
Last year, SoCalGas’s total charitable giving was over $8 million, of which $6.7 million went to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
More information about SoCalGas’ commitment to supplier diversity can be found in its 2022 Supplier Diversity Annual Report or by visiting socalgas.com/for-your-business/supplier-diversity.
