BGE Named 'Corporation of the Year' By the Capital Region Minority Supplier Diversity Council

BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Capital Region Minority Supplier Diversity Council has named Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) the 'Corporation of the Year' for its efforts to develop relationships with minority- and women-owned businesses. BGE was recognized for the increase in the number of diverse suppliers in its procurement program as well as the overall dollars spent with these suppliers. This is the first time that BGE has received this honor from the organization, a chapter of the National Minority Supplier Development Council that serves the Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. region.

“BGE is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our business and we are very honored to be recognized in this way,” said Calvin Butler, BGE's chief executive officer. “It is important that our business partners are representative of the communities we serve. We have found that taking the time to nurture relationships with a diverse group of businesses makes us more successful and contributes to the growth of the community at large.”

In 2013, BGE purchased $151 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers, an all-time high and a 30 percent increase over 2012. The company also focused on expanding opportunities in categories in which diverse suppliers were under-represented. To drive this effort, the company established the “Focus 25” program to provide an in-depth look at BGE's business processes as well as access to company executives to provide guidance on the components of a successful partnership.

“We are extremely pleased to have BGE and the Exelon team as corporate partners. They are well deserving of our Council's 2014 'Corporation of the Year Award,'” said Philip DeVliegher, acting president of the Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council. “We were very impressed with BGE's Focus 25 initiative. The insights that our participating MBEs glean are invaluable toward boosting each company's success. There are now several new companies who are providing their goods and services to BGE, helping drive the company's performance in many areas. The BGE model is one we are hoping to see in more companies in our region.”

BGE recently began the second class of its Focus 25 program to help establish relationships with new regional suppliers. For more information on BGE's commitment to diversity and inclusion, visit bge.com.

BGE, headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest gas and electric utility, delivering power to more than 1.2 million electric customers and more than 655,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company's approximately 3,400 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation EXC, the nation's leading competitive energy provider, with 2013 revenues of approximately $24.9 billion. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.