BGE graduates second class from program to boost diverse supplier pipeline

BALTIMORE (Sept. 28, 2015) — Nine companies with operations in Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE)’s central Maryland service area are better positioned to compete for contracts with the utility after completing the Focus 25 program today. Developed by BGE in 2013 to build its roster of diverse business partners, Focus 25 provides select minority, women and veteran-owned companies with an in-depth overview of the company’s business and procurement processes along with insight on how to be a successful partner. Diversity-certified companies must apply to participate in the one-year program. The recent class was the second to complete the program, which now has 18 graduates. BGE has spent $52 million dollars specifically with Focus 25 participants since the program’s inception.

“BGE aspires to be an industry leader in supplier diversity,” said CEO Calvin G. Butler Jr., who addressed Focus 25 graduates today. “We understand that supporting small and community-based businesses creates new opportunities and stimulates growth for our region. Our diverse business partners have over-performed in helping BGE achieve key operational goals. We will continue to strengthen our Focus 25 initiative and our overall outreach to diverse suppliers.”

Last year, BGE purchased a total of $182 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers, a $31-million increase over the previous year. The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council named BGE as the 2014 “Corporation of the Year,” a prestigious annual award recognizing corporations with superior performance in supplier diversity corporate policy, procurement activity and minority business enterprise development. BGE is on track to meet or exceed 2014 results this year, including potential new partnerships with Focus 25 companies.

“One of the true values of participating in Focus 25 is direct access to the people at BGE who have and share knowledge of how the business operates,” said Cora Williams, president of Ideal Electrical Supply Corporation. Williams’ company, one of the nine to complete this year’s program, currently has a contract to supply electrical maintenance, repair and operations materials to BGE.

2015 BGE Focus 25 Companies

The Aspen Group

Dynis/MasTec

EBI Services, Inc.

JCM Control Systems, Inc.

Ideal Electric

M. Luis Construction

Mahogany

Rock Creek Line Construction

Integrity Title and Escrow Company

For more information on Focus 25, working with BGE and the company’s supplier diversity commitment, visit bge.com.

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BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland’s largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider, with 2014 revenues of approximately $27.4 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.