Memphis Light, Gas and Water has been nominated for the Mid-South Minority Business Council's (MMBC) prestigious Corporation of the Year award. MLGW's Supplier Diversity Coordinator Kimberly Lehew received a nomination for MMBC's Advocate of the Year.

The MMBC's 2007 Robert R. Church, Sr. Achievement Awards program will be held at noon on Friday, November 16, 2007 at the Holiday Inn located at the University of Memphis campus.

This marks the second MMBC nomination for Lehew, who previously won the award in 2005 and joins the list of many MLGW advocate nominees over the last few years. The Advocate of the Year is given to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to exceptional service in the area of supplier diversity in the Memphis/Mid-South region. MLGW is also a two-time winner of the MMBC Corporation of the Year award.

MLGW is a recognized leader in increasing opportunities for diverse suppliers. This year marks the 10th anniversary of MLGW's Supplier Diversity program. The program fosters economic parity with minority-, women-, and locally-owned small businesses. More than $225 million has been spent with diverse suppliers since the program's inception.

The results of this prominent award are determined each year by a composite of variables based on the following criteria:
 

• Increased percentage over prior year in minority/women-owned businesses (M/WBEs) spend
• Actual dollar amount spent with M/WBEs
• Involvement of MMBC programs/processes which promote M/WBE spend
• Amount of financial support of MMBC programs
• Internal corporate developmental programs for M/WBEs
  
  The Mid-South Minority Business Council was established as a part of the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce in 1973. Today, the MMBC serves as the Memphis area's foremost minority business development organization and is highly respected by the corporate community as a trusted source of knowledge and expertise.
  
  MLGW is the largest three-service public power utility in the nation, serving more than 420,000 customers in Memphis and Shelby County. A 2007 survey of large metropolitan areas showed that MLGW has the sixth lowest combined rates in the nation.