Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Honors Verizon for its Commitment to Supplier Diversity

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Verizon's commitment to supplier diversity and its support of the minority-business community has earned the company the 2009 Vision Award from the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (SACC).

This was the first year the Chamber presented the Vision Award for using technology and innovation to support businesses throughout the Sacramento region. Verizon was honored for partnering with the SACC to establish www.connect-here.org, an online portal designed to help small businesses find the necessary resources to compete for private and public contracts.

"We recognized Verizon for supplying the vision and the leadership, in partnership with the SACC, to launch the Chamber's supplier diversity Web site," said Pat Fong Kushida, the organization's CEO and president. "Without Verizon's leadership, this site would not be possible. Increasing a diverse, qualified business base is good for the community, good for the economy and good for California."

Elva Lima, vice president of Verizon strategic programs, said, "Verizon's commitment to supplier diversity is as much about smart business as it is about doing the right thing.  "This recognition by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce reinforces our commitment to supplier diversity and to the small-business community." 

Verizon has a long-standing commitment to provide procurement opportunities for business enterprises owned and controlled by minorities, women, persons with disabilities and service disabled veterans (MWDVBEs).  Supplier diversity is a critical element of Verizon's strategy to grow and compete in the marketplace and to provide customers with the highest quality and service.  Diverse suppliers play an increasingly prominent role in our communities, and Verizon is committed to including and utilizing MWDVBEs as partners and suppliers to its business.  Cultivating and developing MWDVBE suppliers not only benefits Verizon, but is critical to maintaining Verizon's competitive edge in our ever-changing global economy.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving more than 80 million customers nationwide.  Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of nearly 224,000 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of more than $97 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

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