DOING BUSINESS WITH...

HMSDC hosted a virtual event in the first quarter to educate suppliers on doing business with AmeriHealth Caritas, a leader in healthcare solutions for those in need. Ron Baldwin, Director of Supplier Management and Diversity, and Sharon Manker, Manager of Diverse Supplier Initiatives, provided insights into the company's structure and how diverse suppliers can participate in the procurement process.

AmeriHealth's supplier diversity team works in collaboration with procurement/sourcing and business development to ensure an inclusive sourcing process across categories such as Advertising/Public Communications, Consulting, Data Services & Supplies, Facilities Equipment & Services, Investments, Other/Office Supplies/Promo Items, Print & Fulfillment, Staffing, and Wellness/Clinical.

When doing business with AmeriHealth, suppliers must prioritize safety, business continuity, cost, vendor track record, availability/delivery/turnaround time, vendor capability & resources, and response time to inquiries. AmeriHealth Caritas has a track record of fostering the growth and development of diverse businesses and encourages suppliers to research the company to identify areas of collaboration.

They also shared information on the Texas STAR and Chip RFP, which offered opportunities to Texas HUBs certified by HMSDC to join their team as partners in the pursuit of representing the state of Texas as vendors.

CEO Conversations, aims to facilitate direct discussions on leadership between senior executives of Houston's major public and private companies and institutions and MBEs. It provides an opportunity for MBEs to learn from industry leaders, fostering innovation within their own businesses and industries. (continued on next page)

HMSDC hosted its First Quarter 2023 CEO Conversations on March 28, 2023. The event featured guest speakers, Linhua Guan, Chief Executive Officer of Surge Energy, and Anthony Bollato, Senior Manager at Accenture, who shared insights on new trends in the energy sector and the value of sustainability.

Surge Energy is an independent oil and natural gas production company that focuses on developing and acquiring reserves in the Texas Permian Basin, making it one of the state's top 20 oil producers. Leading Surge Energy's growth is Linhua Guan, who joined the company in 2018 with over 20 years of experience in the petroleum industry. During the event, Guan shared how he relied on his team of subject matter experts to guide the organization's growth, emphasizing that they were critical to Surge Energy's success. He also highlighted the importance of being able to recognize industry trends and moving in that direction.

Anthony Bollato, who leads the Net Zero Accelerator at the Houston Innovation Hub, spoke about the intersection of Energy, Sustainability, and Digital Innovation. He provided guidance on how MBEs can assist major corporations by providing innovations to solve complex challenges and unlock the value of sustainability in the energy sector.

MBE attendees expressed their appreciation for the valuable insights shared by the speakers. They found the session to be both timely and informative, with one attendee commenting on Linhua Guan's approachability and insightful contributions. Another attendee praised Anthony Bollato's openness and candid conversation.