N E W S   R E L E A S E 

OMSDC SELECTS THE OUTSTANDING MINORITY BUSINESSES OF THE YEAR AND
THE OUTSTANDING CORPORATION OF THE YEAR 

The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc. (OMSDC), together with the title sponsorship of ConocoPhillips, held its 19th Annual Minority Business Leadership Awards Dinner on October 1, 2009, at the Doubletree Hotel at Warren Place in Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

The OMSDC recognized the Outstanding Minority Businesses of the Year and The Corporation of the Year.  These Outstanding Business Awards were given to minority businesses that have distinguished themselves by demonstrating excellence in service and business performance.  The awards were given in four classes:  Class 1, annual sales less than $1 million; Class 2, annual sales between $1 million and $10 million; Class 3, annual sales between $10 million and $50 million and Class 4, sales greater than $50 million. 

Cherokee Data Solutions was the "Class 1" award winner.  Cherokee Data Solutions is a Native-American company based in Claremore, Oklahoma.   Owner Pamela Huddleston Bickford founded Cherokee Data Solutions in November of 2001.  Cherokee Data Solutions created their own Best-of-Green product-line and was the first minority company to be certified as an EPEAT dealer in conjunction with the Green Council and the EPA.  The company certifications include: Cisco, Olympus, Xerox, HP, and Sony. Cherokee Data has distribution capability from coast to coast with 114 warehouses for both technology and office supply.  Cherokee Data was recently named Technology Company of the Year for both the state of Oklahoma and for the Dallas Region by REI and the United States Department of Commerce.   

D & P Tank Service, Inc. was the "Class 2" award winner.  D & P Tank Service, Inc. is a Native-American owned company based in Ponca City, Oklahoma and is owned by George W. Pease III and Brad Irons.  This company was founded in September 1962, in Fairfax, Oklahoma.  The early days of D & P Tank Service, Inc. was mainly focused on oilfield transportation and tank cleaning.  Beginning in 1979 D & P Tank Service began to expand its operations to include refinery and construction services.  That expansion required the expansion of more than triple the past workforce and double the equipment investment.  The expansion has positioned D & P Tank Service as one of the leading privately owned service companies in the South Central United States, with operations being performed throughout the great plains region, and with operations being successfully completed as far away as Mexico City, Mexico.

Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC. was the "Class 3" award winner.  Delaware Resource Group of Oklahoma, LLC. is a Native-American owned company based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  Founded in 2002 by Phil G. Busey, Sr., member of the Cherokee Nation and Delaware Tribe, DRG has become a leading service contractor that specializes in a multitude of business service in the aerospace, defense and energy industries.  DRG is the prime contractor for the E-3 Mission Crew Training at Tinker Air Force Base.  The company also provides training services to support Boeing and the Government for the C-17 Aircraft, F-15 Fighter and the AV-8B Harrier nationally. 

Tiger Natural Gas, Inc. was the “Class 4” award winner.  Tiger Natural Gas, Inc. is a Native-American owned company out of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Tiger Natural Gas, Inc. is owned by Lori Nalley.  Tiger Natural Gas offers affordable solutions to high price gas bills for customers across the U.S.  Amid volatile market conditions and increasing gas prices, Tigers’ highly trained and experienced team of professionals use cutting edge technology to deliver cost effective solutions giving Tigers’ customers a competitive edge.  Family owned and operated, Tiger has managed the natural gas needs of major corporations, non-profit businesses, and governmental agencies since 1991. 

ConocoPhillips was selected as the Outstanding Corporation of the Year.  This award recognized the OMSDC corporate member that has distinguished itself through commitment and dedication to strengthening Minority Business Development.  Hubert Jones, Director, Supplier Diversity accepted the award on behalf of ConocoPhillips. 

A brief summary and slide presentation was given on each of the Outstanding Minority Businesses and the Corporation of the Year.  Grant Long, Oklahoma City TV Analyst and former NBA Player served as the guest speaker for the event.  Terry Hood of KOTV News on Six served as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. 

The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council promotes business relationships between major corporations and minority businesses through a number of outreach programs and activities designed to promote information exchange and effective communications.  The OMSDC is one of 38 regional purchasing councils nationwide, and has been promoting minority purchasing for over 33 years. 

For more information about the OMSDC, contact Debra Ponder-Nelson, President & CEO at (405) 767-9900. 

F.Y.I.   Pamela Huddleston Bickford – 918.343.3577                Cherokee Data Solutions

            George Pease, III – 918.640.1701                      D & P Tank Service, Inc.

            Phil Busey, Sr. – 405.721.7776                                       Delaware Resource Group

            Lori Nalley – 918.491.6998                                            Tiger Natural Gas, Inc.

            Hubert Jones – 918.661.3979                                          ConocoPhillips