HOUSTON -- On June 3 and 4, CITGO will host its first Supplier Diversity Networking Event, which will provide an opportunity for minority- and woman-owned enterprises to learn how to become part of the CITGO corporate supply chain. In a "reverse trade show" format, more than 100 CITGO experts and end users will be available to discuss the company's needs for services and materials with potential vendors. "This special effort recognizes the need to change the way we do business at CITGO in order to provide greater opportunity to all in the communities where we operate," the company said.
"[image-nocss] CITGO has implemented a new registration process for all of its businesses. This process is designed to facilitate a secure way forvendorsto registertheirbusinesses in our supplier database. The benefit tothemis thattheirbusiness information will be available to all of our authorized personnel for future business opportunities at any CITGO location across the nation," the company said in information provided to CSP Daily News. "The program's mission is toform mutually beneficial partnerships with a broad base of diverse businesses, including minority- and woman-owned businesses that allow us to deliver superior products, services and superb customer service, which positively impacts our bottom line."
It added, "We are committed to creating effective competition utilizing all possible sources. We will actively seek targeted diverse businesses and provide them the opportunity to partner with CITGO."
CITGO chairman, president and CEO Alejandro Granado will open the event on June 3. Guest speakers will include Cheryl Stevens, chair of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), and Jim Metcalf, founder of Filter Resources, a minority-owned supplier to CITGO. CITGO vice president of supply and marketing Bill Hatch will open the event on June 4. Guest speakers will include Richard H. Huebner, president of the Houston Minority Business Council, and Denise Giles, president and CEO of Giles Construction, a woman-owned business.
To qualify for the CITGO Supplier Diversity Initiative, companies should be certified as at least 51% minority- or woman-owned businesses. In the case of publicly held businesses, at least 51% of the stock must be owned by minority or women group members. Minorities include Asian-Pacific Americans, Sub-Continent Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.
The event expands upon CITGO's corporate social development initiatives, under which it currently invests more than $100 million per year in a variety of programs at the national and local level, it said.
The event will be held at the Marriott Westchase in Houston.Click here for registration information.
Houston-based CITGO is a refiner, transporter and marketer of transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products. It is owned by PDV America Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela SA, the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
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