WELCOME NBS Supplier Diversity Conference 2008

1. 1 1-Feb-12 WELCOME! NBS Supplier Diversity Conference 2008

2. Kevin Petrie, Chief Procurement Officer June 12, 2008

3. 3 1-Feb-12 Agenda What is Nestlé Business Services Procurement? Overview of Nestlé Business Services Procurement’s Supplier Diversity Program

4. 4 1-Feb-12 What is Nestlé Business Services Procurement? Nestlé Business Services (NBS) is a shared services organization; shared services involve centralizing specific functions performed in separate divisions to allow for standardization of practices and creation of economies of scale. Procurement is one of the shared services functions that NBS provides to participating Nestlé operating companies in North America. NBS Procurement Vision: provide critical Procurement expertise and flawless execution to support Nestlé’s operating companies by leveraging our collective experience, skills and procurement power to become the leading nutrition, health and wellness company.

5. 5 1-Feb-12

6. 6 1-Feb-12 NBS Procurement Category Management Packaging Ingredients Raw Materials Capital/Construction and Engineering Maintenance, Repair Services and Operations Legal and Real Estate Human Resources, Security Services and Office Products Telecommunications and IT Marketing, Printing and Promotions

7. Supplier Diversity Program- NBS Procurement 

8. 8 1-Feb-12 Supplier Diversity Commitment Nestlé is committed to establishing and growing successful business relationships with qualified and certified minority, woman and veteran-owned suppliers as well as those businesses that are Federally defined as a Small Business or located in Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZones). Fulfilling this commitment is important to our customers, our diverse consumer base, the communities in which we operate, and to the success of our company. Nestlé believes that one source of our competitive advantage is diversity in both our internal hiring practices and our supplier relationships.

9. 9 1-Feb-12 Our Supplier Diversity Program Our strategic buyers seek increased diverse spend by reviewing their categories’ approved supplier list and identifying: Diverse suppliers doing business with Nestlé who can expand their business across multiple Nestlé operating companies Opportunities for qualified diverse suppliers who do not currently do business with Nestlé Large suppliers who can support our Supplier Diversity program through our 2nd tier program

10. 10 1-Feb-12 Diversity and Innovation Diversity is also part of our commitment to develop and maintain an innovative culture with a focus on consumer insights; entrepreneurship and diversity drive innovation. Our Supplier Diversity Program is one strategy we use to find the intersection between what our customers tell us, what we know as an industry leader, and what’s available externally. We are looking for our suppliers to actively participate in our innovation efforts to grow and improve our business.

11. 11 1-Feb-12 Today’s Objectives Update on the NBS Supplier Diversity Program Introduce Nestlé Nutrition Company and Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Division Overview of Sempra Energy Utilities Supplier Diversity program Overview of Alcon’s Supplier Diversity program Exchange best practices from a panel of our successful diverse suppliers One-on-one meetings with Nestlé buyers and representatives of some of our largest suppliers, who are here today in support of this program

12. 12 1-Feb-12 At this time I am pleased to introduce AC Green…. A.C. Green, Jr. (born October 4, 1963 in Portland, Oregon) grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended Benson Polytechnic High School. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. A.C. played in more consecutive games than any other player in NBA and ABA history (1,192). A.C. Green has a storied history of teamwork, winning and success.  He is a youth mentor, author, speaker and successful businessman.   A.C. is Founder and President of the A.C. Green Youth Foundation, dedicated to serving our youth in communities throughout Southern California and cities across America. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for RP & Associates, an innovative marketing services and product manufacturing company headquartered in Hermosa Beach, CA. At this time I am pleased to introduce AC Green…. A.C. Green, Jr. (born October 4, 1963 in Portland, Oregon) grew up in Portland, Oregon and attended Benson Polytechnic High School. He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2003. He has played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks. A.C. played in more consecutive games than any other player in NBA and ABA history (1,192). A.C. Green has a storied history of teamwork, winning and success.  He is a youth mentor, author, speaker and successful businessman.   A.C. is Founder and President of the A.C. Green Youth Foundation, dedicated to serving our youth in communities throughout Southern California and cities across America. He also serves on the Board of Advisors for RP & Associates, an innovative marketing services and product manufacturing company headquartered in Hermosa Beach, CA.

13. 13 1-Feb-12 2008 Diverse Supplier Awards Hello, At each of our Operating Companies we have a Key Supplier Diversity Contact The Waters Division is represented by Janet Browne Nestle Purina Pet Care is represented by Vernon Peoples Nestle Nutrition is represented by Lisa Stray and Our Dreyers Division is represented by Patti Martin And I represent Nestle USA Last Year we honored the Kennedy Group as a great Small Business, Service Packaging Inc and Integrated Packaging as outstanding MBE companies. This year we asked our key contacts representing the Operating companies to recommend a Diverse company that they would like to celebrate with you this year. These companies selection was based upon their track record, the amount of business they do with the OpCo and the recommendation of their Nestle contact. At this time I will announce the name of the OpCo diverse supplier of the year and I will ask their Nestle contacts to join them here while the Company representatives says a few words and they have their picture taken. Windsor Foods was nominated by our group in Solon which will be represented by Dale Bohman. Windsor Foods Is a Woman Owned Business that has successfully grown its relationship with our ingredients Division. The Windsor Foods is a woman owned company that has been certified by the Texas division of the Women Business Enterprise National Council. ® Company was founded in January 1996. Today Windsor has FDA-approved manufacturing facilities that provide products to foodservice, warehouse club, industrial and private-label retail customers across the United States. In April 2000 the company acquired a second pasta manufacturing facility to serve the Northeast markets. The Windsor Group is represented today by Joan Perona, Director of New Products and Stephen Leins, VP of Operations. Our 2nd Award winner is The Serenity Packaging Corporation is a Veteran Owned Small Business. Serenity Packaging Corporation has grown from a local Chicago-land based company to an organization which services accounts throughout North America. They have also been nominated by the Solon group as an outstanding Veteran Owned Business. Serenity Offers Packaging for fresh and frozen foods, large, heavy or bulky items such as tanning beds, Hazardous materials, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals. The company has enjoyed double-digit sales growth trending toward 50% over the past four years in a mature industry. They will be joined by Kathy Rutherford and Steve Warner. Our 3rd Award Winner is Group O and is represented by Kay Johnson. Group O is a national provider of products and services, specializing in Packaging, Supply Chain and Marketing Solutions. The firm was started by Robert Ontiveros in Milan, Illinois and incorporated in 1974 With 1,300 employees they are a company that has the resources and scope to meet Nestlé's needs. 2007 sales exceeded $300 million The 22nd largest Hispanic owned-company in the U.S. Bob’s initial business was Bi-State Packaging, which was started to sell packaging materials and equipment to manufacturers. During the 1970’s Bi-State Packaging experienced superior sales growth, requiring the opening of several warehouses throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico – making Group O a truly international business Group O as nominated by Nestle Purina Pet Care and is represented here today by Vernon Peoples and Bob Dixon. Our 4th Company is StarPac and its parent’s company Superbag who has been nominated by Nestle Waters North America which will be represented by Darry Burrell. Star Pac and its parent company Superbag are a privately owned businesses, serving customers worldwide from their state-of-the-art facilities in Houston, Texas.  Their strategic location gives them easy access to petrochemical-based raw materials, as well as distribution facilities that link us to the global market.  The companies have established a solid reputation as a customer-driven organization through its commitment to provide products and services that are focused on specific customer needs.  Since its inception in 1988, Superbag has grown to become one of the five largest bag manufacturers in North America.StarPak is a star supplier to NWNA and their contacts there expect them to continue to grow with us in the future today they are presented by Bob Welch and Andy Divilling Our last award winner was nominated by our newest operating company Nestle Nutrition in cooperation with our packaging group, the Specialized Packaging Group,. In 1983, Carlton Highsmith founded Specialized Packaging (SPG) in New Haven, Connecticut as a package design and engineering firm. Today, SPG has grown to become the largest minority-owned manufacturer of paperboard packaging in North America with annual revenues of over $150 million. The company ranks 32nd on Black Enterprise Magazine’s list of the largest minority-owned firms in America. Highsmith’s company is the largest minority-owned manufacturing company in the state of Connecticut. He employs over 500 technicians, engineers and professionals at eight sites across the United States and Canada. The award is being presented by Sandra Grey from Nestle Nutrition and Andrea Samper from the NBS packaging group. Hello, At each of our Operating Companies we have a Key Supplier Diversity Contact The Waters Division is represented by Janet Browne Nestle Purina Pet Care is represented by Vernon Peoples Nestle Nutrition is represented by Lisa Stray and Our Dreyers Division is represented by Patti Martin And I represent Nestle USA Last Year we honored the Kennedy Group as a great Small Business, Service Packaging Inc and Integrated Packaging as outstanding MBE companies. This year we asked our key contacts representing the Operating companies to recommend a Diverse company that they would like to celebrate with you this year. These companies selection was based upon their track record, the amount of business they do with the OpCo and the recommendation of their Nestle contact. At this time I will announce the name of the OpCo diverse supplier of the year and I will ask their Nestle contacts to join them here while the Company representatives says a few words and they have their picture taken. Windsor Foods was nominated by our group in Solon which will be represented by Dale Bohman. Windsor Foods Is a Woman Owned Business that has successfully grown its relationship with our ingredients Division. The Windsor Foods is a woman owned company that has been certified by the Texas division of the Women Business Enterprise National Council. ® Company was founded in January 1996. Today Windsor has FDA-approved manufacturing facilities that provide products to foodservice, warehouse club, industrial and private-label retail customers across the United States. In April 2000 the company acquired a second pasta manufacturing facility to serve the Northeast markets. The Windsor Group is represented today by Joan Perona, Director of New Products and Stephen Leins, VP of Operations. Our 2nd Award winner is The Serenity Packaging Corporation is a Veteran Owned Small Business. Serenity Packaging Corporation has grown from a local Chicago-land based company to an organization which services accounts throughout North America. They have also been nominated by the Solon group as an outstanding Veteran Owned Business. Serenity Offers Packaging for fresh and frozen foods, large, heavy or bulky items such as tanning beds, Hazardous materials, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals. The company has enjoyed double-digit sales growth trending toward 50% over the past four years in a mature industry. They will be joined by Kathy Rutherford and Steve Warner. Our 3rd Award Winner is Group O and is represented by Kay Johnson. Group O is a national provider of products and services, specializing in Packaging, Supply Chain and Marketing Solutions. The firm was started by Robert Ontiveros in Milan, Illinois and incorporated in 1974 With 1,300 employees they are a company that has the resources and scope to meet Nestlé's needs. 2007 sales exceeded $300 million The 22nd largest Hispanic owned-company in the U.S. Bob’s initial business was Bi-State Packaging, which was started to sell packaging materials and equipment to manufacturers. During the 1970’s Bi-State Packaging experienced superior sales growth, requiring the opening of several warehouses throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico – making Group O a truly international business Group O as nominated by Nestle Purina Pet Care and is represented here today by Vernon Peoples and Bob Dixon. Our 4th Company is StarPac and its parent’s company Superbag who has been nominated by Nestle Waters North America which will be represented by Darry Burrell. Star Pac and its parent company Superbag are a privately owned businesses, serving customers worldwide from their state-of-the-art facilities in Houston, Texas.  Their strategic location gives them easy access to petrochemical-based raw materials, as well as distribution facilities that link us to the global market. 

14. Karen Blackwell Manager, Supplier Diversity and Development June 12, 2008

15. 15 1-Feb-12 Our Internet Web Site Hello Last Year we shared with you our updated Internet web site. We brought together a 1) message from the President 2) An overview of our program and our purchasing strategy 3) Resources we think are helpful for suppliers who want to increase their capabilitiesHello Last Year we shared with you our updated Internet web site. We brought together a 1) message from the President 2) An overview of our program and our purchasing strategy 3) Resources we think are helpful for suppliers who want to increase their capabilities

16. 16 1-Feb-12 Our New Intranet Web Site This year we are implementing our new supplier diversity intranet page. We needed a central place to locate our resources that we have developed to support our supplier program This year we are implementing our new supplier diversity intranet page. We needed a central place to locate our resources that we have developed to support our supplier program

17. 17 1-Feb-12 NBS NA Procurement Excellence The NBS NA Procurement Excellence team strives to provide the programs, process and tools to support the high performance goals of the NBS NA Procurement organization.  Procurement Excellence's tools and available resources assist our Buyers in implementing the effective procurement strategies required to provide Nestlé’s operating companies with a competitive advantage. This was developed as part of the over all strategy of our purchasing excellence group which is were Supplier Diversity in housed within NBS ProcurementThis was developed as part of the over all strategy of our purchasing excellence group which is were Supplier Diversity in housed within NBS Procurement

18. 18 1-Feb-12 An Overview of Our Supplier Diversity Policy Nestlé is committed to establishing and growing successful business relationships with increasing numbers of qualified minority, woman, urban and veteran-owned suppliers.  Fulfilling this commitment is important to our customers, our increasingly diverse consumer base, the communities in which we operate, and ultimately, to the success of our company. Although Kevin covered this earlier here is in summary our Policy Although Kevin covered this earlier here is in summary our Policy

19. 19 1-Feb-12 . Additional Policy Components In detail our policy addresses our:In detail our policy addresses our:

20. 20 1-Feb-12 Assists buyers in meeting their supplier diversity goals and objectives. Contains the names, contact information and procurement history of small, minority, woman and veteran-owned businesses from each of our operating companies. A place for untried companies to let us know about their capabilities.  What is the Portal’s Purpose? We have also developed our supplier diversity portal. The purpose of the portal is to provide an on-line tool our buyers can use to facilitate their search and utilization of diverse suppliers in their procurement events. We have also developed our supplier diversity portal. The purpose of the portal is to provide an on-line tool our buyers can use to facilitate their search and utilization of diverse suppliers in their procurement events.

21. 21 1-Feb-12 Supplier Diversity Portal (Click Here) Let take a look at what our portal has to offer…Let take a look at what our portal has to offer…

22. 22 1-Feb-12 Our Supplier Diversity Portal for Our Buyers When our buyers go to the site the first thing they see is that portion of our Supplier diversity policy that tells them when the Federal government states that we should include diverse suppliers on our sourcing process and how to use the portal to document their efforts. When our buyers go to the site the first thing they see is that portion of our Supplier diversity policy that tells them when the Federal government states that we should include diverse suppliers on our sourcing process and how to use the portal to document their efforts.

23. 23 1-Feb-12 The two phases of our system are searching and documentation.The two phases of our system are searching and documentation.

24. 24 1-Feb-12 This is a function that was designed just for Nestle . Here our buyers can track their own activities, which include identifying the event, identifying the small, minority women ort veteran owned businesses that have been considered for the opportunity and then what happened. Where they invited to participate how did they participate, what was the outcome and why.This is a function that was designed just for Nestle . Here our buyers can track their own activities, which include identifying the event, identifying the small, minority women ort veteran owned businesses that have been considered for the opportunity and then what happened. Where they invited to participate how did they participate, what was the outcome and why.

25. 25 1-Feb-12 This is a function that was designed just for Nestle . Here our buyers can track their own activities, which include identifying the event, identifying the small, minority women ort veteran owned businesses that have been considered for the opportunity and then what happened. Where they invited to participate how did they participate, what was the outcome and why.This is a function that was designed just for Nestle . Here our buyers can track their own activities, which include identifying the event, identifying the small, minority women ort veteran owned businesses that have been considered for the opportunity and then what happened. Where they invited to participate how did they participate, what was the outcome and why.

26. 26 1-Feb-12 We then can look at the results by operating company or by buyer. We think that this tool will be very useful to our buyers and we plant o report back on its utilization when we reconvene next year. We then can look at the results by operating company or by buyer. We think that this tool will be very useful to our buyers and we plant o report back on its utilization when we reconvene next year.

27. 27 1-Feb-12

28. 28 1-Feb-12 Lastly the system allows us to implement our 2nd tier program. How many of you in the audience are large companies. We are every glad you are here. Most companies now have an on- line 2nd tier reporting process. We are looking at the 2nd tier program from both perspectives. We are asking our largest suppliers to report to us and at the same time we are reporting to our customers. We want our program to be more than a reporting system. We believe that it takes partnering to make a dynamic supplier diversity program work. We want to work with our suppliers to achieve results that benefit us, our large suppliers and the diverse supplier community. That is why we invited you large companies to join us today. We have global commitments and strategic supplier programs that will make it very difficult for us to do as much business as we might like to with some very good diverse companies. However, they might be able to become supplier to you. So we have taken the opportunity to introduce you today and hope that some good connections come out of your meetings today. Lastly the system allows us to implement our 2nd tier program. How many of you in the audience are large companies. We are every glad you are here. Most companies now have an on- line 2nd tier reporting process. We are looking at the 2nd tier program from both perspectives. We are asking our largest suppliers to report to us and at the same time we are reporting to our customers. We want our program to be more than a reporting system. We believe that it takes partnering to make a dynamic supplier diversity program work. We want to work with our suppliers to achieve results that benefit us, our large suppliers and the diverse supplier community. That is why we invited you large companies to join us today. We have global commitments and strategic supplier programs that will make it very difficult for us to do as much business as we might like to with some very good diverse companies. However, they might be able to become supplier to you. So we have taken the opportunity to introduce you today and hope that some good connections come out of your meetings today.

29. 29 1-Feb-12 Goals for the Balance of 2008 Increase the number of companies that have updated their profiles in the portal Why? We want the Buyers to have access to the most complete and comprehensive data possible. Each strategic buyer will use the portal to source diverse suppliers for their category Why? By using this system to document the efforts, we will be better able to identify areas of opportunity and possibilities for success. Developing the portal will make a difference in the development of the program. Developing the portal will make a difference in the development of the program.

30. Nestlé Supplier Diversity June 12, 2008

31. 31 1-Feb-12 Market Overview: U.S. Ice Cream Sales amount to $ 9 BN annually Nestlé 25%, Unilever 24%, Regional and Private Label 51% Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream Headquartered in Oakland California 6,900 Employees Nationally Bakersfield CA, Tulare CA, Salt Lake City UT, Houston TX, Fort Wayne IA, Laurel MD History The Early 1900s The Depression Era The U.C Berkeley Connection Nestlé Ice Cream Partners Nestlé USA PresenterJohn Hill - Head of Purchasing - Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream

32. 32 1-Feb-12 Where Are Our Facilities

33. 33 1-Feb-12 Company Components: Premium Ice Cream – Dreyer’s, Edy’s, Slow Churned Super Premium Ice Cream – Haagen Dazs Snacks – Drumstick, Dibs, Fruit Bars. Skinny Cow Cones, Nestlé Sandwiches. How and what we purchase Strategic Purchasing vs. Operational Purchasing $250 MM Dairy – 100% Nestlé Business Services $230 MM Ingredients – 80% N.B.S. $140 MM Packaging – 33% N.B.S. Quality, Price, Service, Consistent with our Brands Haagen Dazs Examples $600 MM Services & Indirect Materials – Nestlé Business Services Travel, Marketing Services, Company Cars, Office Supplies, Capital, Freezers, MRO What we Sell – What and How we Buy

34. 34 1-Feb-12 The Future Outlook: Closer Interface with NBS Career Opportunities Supplier Diversity Participation Further engagement with Nestlé Ice Cream Businesses in Canada and Mexico Ice Cream Cones and Wafers Freezers Commodity Inflation Impacts Profitability

35. 35 1-Feb-12 Open Dialogue and Questions Q & A

36. Nestlé Supplier Diversity June 12, 2008

37. 37 Introduction: Vision Gerber aspires to be the most trusted global Baby brand by helping parents raise happy, healthy babies.

38. 38 1-Feb-12 Introduction: Product Segmentation

39. 39 1-Feb-12 

40. 40 1-Feb-12 Provides significant benefits for Gerber: Resources and expertise to develop nutritious, high-quality products. Ongoing commitment to supporting current and new initiatives. Understanding and ability to reach key influencers, such as Pediatricians.

41. 41 1-Feb-12 Introduction: A High Level of Consumer Loyalty

42. 42 1-Feb-12 Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™ is Gerber’s science-based initiative to deliver the right products and consumer education to help parents establish healthy eating habits early to promote a lifetime of good health for their children. Start Healthy, Stay Healthy

43. 43 1-Feb-12 Groundbreaking dietary survey of 3,000 infants and toddlers – the first of this magnitude Snapshot of what American infants and toddlers are eating: nutrient intakes and dietary patterns What is FITS? ..

44. 44 1-Feb-12 Why FITS? Commissioned in response to the epidemic of childhood obesity Fill the gap in information about what our youngest children are eating Educate parents and health professionals on how to start healthy habits early in life

45. 45 1-Feb-12 High-Calorie, Low-Nutrient Foods Enter Children’s Diets Early

46. 46 1-Feb-12 Start Healthy, Stay Healthy™

47. 47 1-Feb-12 Gerber Innovation Plan Striking the Right Balance...

48. 48 1-Feb-12 2006/2007 New ProductsGerber Organics Capitalized on emerging, strong consumer trend Launched Gerber Organics Purees, Juices, Cereals, Mini Fruits & Veggies Expanded into new segments (e.g. Meals, Sides) Notes: Scope of TH – was just Purees (1st, 2nd and 3rd foods) 2nd Foods Conventional is $0.50-0.55; TH 2nd foods was $0.75-80Notes: Scope of TH – was just Purees (1st, 2nd and 3rd foods) 2nd Foods Conventional is $0.50-0.55; TH 2nd foods was $0.75-80

49. 49 1-Feb-12 2007 New Products Notes: Launching 9, 16 partially developed, 12 completely developed Manufacturing: Wornick Gross Margins: 45 with margin enhancement underway; 3 yrs. will get to 49Notes: Launching 9, 16 partially developed, 12 completely developed Manufacturing: Wornick Gross Margins: 45 with margin enhancement underway; 3 yrs. will get to 49

50. 50 1-Feb-12 Business Climate Trends in the Food Industry Increased competitive activity Continued industry consolidation Food companies down-aging their product offerings Fragmentation of consumer demand (ethnic, organic) Rapidly changing consumer health-related trends Increased regulatory constraints Greater retailer focus on environmental concerns (i.e., sustainability) Tremendous cost pressures

51. 51 1-Feb-12 Provide unique nutrition benefits to support optimal infant and toddler health, growth and development Our Innovation Plan Is Based on Five Fundamental Consumer Need States:

52. 52 1-Feb-12 Areas of ExcellenceBuild Loyalty And Trust Gerber is unique because we “lose” thousands of SATISFIED customers daily as they go on to table food.

53. 53 1-Feb-12 Conclusions Gerber is the world leader in infant complementary foods, toddler nutrition and feeding accessories. Gerber is recognized by health professionals and by the general public as a credible partner to help provide infants and toddlers with the best nutrition, developed according to the most recent science insights. Gerber keeps investing in Research and Development to constantly bring to its consumer new products that are more nutritious, tasty and convenient.

54. 54 1-Feb-12 If we are on time we can take a few questions. If not we should move for our coffee break and reconvene at 10:15 when we will hear from Ray Robles, Supplier Diversity Program Manager for Sempra Energy Utilities. If we are on time we can take a few questions. If not we should move for our coffee break and reconvene at 10:15 when we will hear from Ray Robles, Supplier Diversity Program Manager for Sempra Energy Utilities.

55. 55 1-Feb-12 For copies of the information shared at today’s conference, please visit, http://suppliers.nestleusa.com

56. 56 1-Feb-12 WELCOME! NBS Supplier Diversity Conference 2008 Supplier Diversity is a deeply held value and core business strategy at Southern California gas company and Sempra energy Utilities, Their award winning Program has garnered them countless awards within their industry and the supplier Diversity community. Both SoCal gas and Sempra set as their goals in 2008 to expand the diversity of their supplier base from its current level of 21% to 30 %.  The utility CEO Debbie Reed has publicly expressed her commitment to achieving this goal an beginning in 2008 the utilities supplier diversity results will be one of the performance factors determining in the annual bonus for all non-union employees. Here to share how they are doing this is Ray Robles Supplier Diversity Program Manager. Thank you Ray, Introduction to the last segment of the morning program. We find that a lot of the leadership in developing successful strategic supplier diversity relationships comes from the business owners themselves. They are experts in their industries, they understand how their customers do business and they have accurately assessed the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and their competition. They are then able to develop unique skills or services that take them to the head of the class. Ashoke “Bappa” Mukherji attended the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) in Pasadena, California. He graduated with honors with a B.S. in Economics. Bappa attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University, where he earned numerous awards for his academic performance in both law and business school. He earned his J.D. and an M.B.A. in 1995. Upon graduation, Bappa joined the firm of Neal & Harwell in Nashville, Tennessee. He left the practice of law in 1997 to pursue the ambition of owning his own business. He joined Jay Chawan as a principal of ProQuest Management, a financial advisory firm catering to professional football players. The duo also founded Guy Brown Products, where Bappa serves as Chief Executive Officer. Guy Brown began its operations as a manufacturer of recycled laser toner cartridges. Since joining the Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Council (TMSDC) in 1999, they have grown considerably. In 2002, Guy Brown expanded its business model to include distributing office supplies. Guy Brown now has over 70 employees in ten states with 2008 anticipated revenue of $200 million. In 2006, Guy Brown opened a distribution center in Nashville, Tennessee, capable of national distribution of an extensive selection of remanufactured toner, ink jet and thermal cartridges, as well as local distribution of other office supplies. The company has continued to grow its product offering over the years, adding promotional items, medical supplies, technology solutions and janitorial products. These additions remain consistent with our mission statement: Guy Brown delivers essential products and services enabling businesses to more efficiently function and more effectively compete. Bappa also found time to create Children First, a Montessori Community. Children First is a non-profit, year-round, full-time preschool that provides programs for children 8 weeks to 6 years-old. Bappa is married and has four children. As a Special note how many of you were able to attend our reception yesterday which was in part sponsored by Bappa and Guy Brown> I believe that you will as business owners really appreciate what bappa has to say. Then in an effort to keep us on schedule we will move right Panel discussion which Bappa will moderate and you will hear from Lilly Sarikis President of Conveyor and Automation technologies, John Pacific National sales manager the Kennedy group the Kennedy group , Chuck Stencil President of Serenity Packaging Corporation dn Carl Highsmith of the Specialized Packaging Group. We have inclued their bios and hope that you will take a look at these impressive backgrounds when you have a chance. Supplier Diversity is a deeply held value and core business strategy at Southern California gas company and Sempra energy Utilities, Their award winning Program has garnered them countless awards within their industry and the supplier Diversity community. Both SoCal gas and Sempra set as their goals in 2008 to expand the diversity of their supplier base from its current level of 21% to 30 %.  The utility CEO Debbie Reed has publicly expressed her commitment to achieving this goal an beginning in 2008 the utilities supplier diversity results will be one of the performance factors determining in the annual bonus for all non-union employees. Here to share how they are doing this is Ray Robles Supplier Diversity Program Manager. Thank you Ray, Introduction to the last segment of the morning program. We find that a lot of the leadership in developing successful strategic supplier diversity relationships comes from the business owners themselves. They are experts in their industries, they understand how their customers do business and they have accurately assessed the strengths and weaknesses of themselves and their competition. They are then able to develop unique skills or services that take them to the head of the class. Ashoke “Bappa” Mukherji attended the California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”) in Pasadena, California. He graduated with honors with a B.S. in Economics. Bappa attended graduate school at Vanderbilt University, where he earned numerous awards for his academic performance in both law and business school. He earned his J.D. and an M.B.A. in 1995. Upon graduation, Bappa joined the firm of Neal & Harwell in Nashville, Tennessee. He left the practice of law in 1997 to pursue the ambition of owning his own business. He joined Jay Chawan as a principal of ProQuest Management, a financial advisory firm catering to professional football players. The duo also founded Guy Brown Products, where Bappa serves as Chief Executive Officer. Guy Brown began its operations as a manufacturer of recycled laser toner cartridges. Since joining the Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Council (TMSDC) in 1999, they have grown considerably. In 2002, Guy Brown expanded its business model to include distributing office supplies. Guy Brown now has over 70 employees in ten states with 2008 anticipated revenue of $200 million. In 2006, Guy Brown opened a distribution center in Nashville, Tennessee, capable of national distribution of an extensive selection of remanufactured toner, ink jet and thermal cartridges, as well as local distribution of other office supplies. The company has continued to grow its product offering over the years, adding promotional items, medical supplies, technology solutions and janitorial products. These additions remain consistent with our mission statement: Guy Brown delivers essential products and services enabling businesses to more efficiently function and more effectively compete. Bappa also found time to create Children First, a Montessori Community. Children First is a non-profit, year-round, full-time preschool that provides programs for children 8 weeks to 6 years-old. Bappa is married and has four children. As a Special note how many of you were able to attend our reception yesterday which was in part sponsored by Bappa and Guy Brown> I believe that you will as business owners really appreciate what bappa has to say. Then in an effort to keep us on schedule we will move right Panel discussion which Bappa will moderate and you will hear from Lilly Sarikis President of Conveyor and Automation technologies, John Pacific National sales manager the Kennedy group the Kennedy group , Chuck Stencil President of Serenity Packaging Corporation dn Carl Highsmith of the Specialized Packaging Group. We have inclued their bios and hope that you will take a look at these impressive backgrounds when you have a chance.