Five certified minority suppliers were recognized at the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council’s Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) awards reception, held Thursday, April 23 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.

 

The MBEIC awards reception was held in conjunction with the council’s 48th Annual Chicago Business Opportunity Fair, presented by Allstate.

 

The Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (ChicagoMSDC) is a premier organization for increasing business opportunities between major buying organizations and minority-owned businesses. “We are committed to certify, develop, connect, and advocate for minority suppliers. However, we must also take time to acknowledge their success and their contributions to our economy,” said Shelia Morgan, president and CEO of the ChicagoMSDC.

 

The Minority Supplier of the Year awards are distinguished by class, based on annual sales volume: Class I (less than $1 million); Class II ($1 – 10 million); Class III ($10 – 50 million); and Class IV (greater than $50 million).

 

Chicago’s Minority Suppliers of the Year are:

•Class I - Jared L. Kelly, president, CEI Media Group. GEI Media Group, a digital agency in Chicago

•Class II - Stephanie J. Hickman, president & CEO, Trice Construction Company, a top commercial concrete construction firm

•Class III - Vasanthi Ilangovan, president, VIVA USA, an IT management and consulting services company

•Class IIII - Jeff Styers, president, Arrow Strategies, a nationwide leader in talent acquisition

•Class IV - Jim Reynolds, chairman and founder, Loop Capital, a full-service investment bank, brokerage, and advisory firm