GTE Honored for Its Commitment to Minority Business Development.

IRVING, Texas - GTE has been named Corporation of the Year by the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council for the second consecutive year. In addition, Clifton Miller, manager - Supplier Diversity Relations for GTE, was named Corporate Advocate of the Year, also for the second year in a row.

"We congratulate GTE on its excellent record with minority-owned businesses," said Margo J. Posey, president of the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council. "It is a significant achievement to win the Corporation of the Year Award. It is unheard of to win it back-to-back. This accomplishment is a tribute to GTE's commitment to minority community economic development."

The awards are presented annually to companies and individuals that actively promote opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Minority business owners establish the criteria for the award and judge the selections.

"These awards represent significant accomplishments for GTE and the minority business community," John Appel, president - Network Services, said in accepting the award. "This recognition is very special because the winners are selected by a discerning panel of minority business owners. Many of our teammates have worked hard to build our strength in diversity procurement, and we are very proud of this recognition."

"I am excited by what these awards represent for GTE," said Miller, who holds key leadership positions at the local and national level with minority business development advocacy groups. "GTE embraces supplier diversity as a key strategy to business success. In addition, we encourage our major suppliers to adopt this same approach as an integral part of doing business with GTE."

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