On May 8, 2018, the U.S. Veteran Business Alliance (the Alliance) presented California American Water (Cal Am), California Water Service (Cal Water), and Golden State Water Company (Golden State Water) awards for their expenditures with Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises (DVBEs) in 2017 in conjunction with their Supplier Diversity Programs. The awards were presented at the Alliance’s signature event, Keeping the Promise 2018, in San Diego. This annual exposition offers veteran business owners with disabilities the opportunity to explore new business practices and markets, participate in workshops and trainings, and network with other veterans, potential customers, and Alliance team members.
(L-R) Edward Simon, Director Business Performance and Supplier Diversity, California American Water; Leslie Marshall, Board of Directors, the Alliance; Jackie Glover, Supplier Diversity Program Manager, San Gabriel Valley Water Company (accepting for Golden State Water); and Jose Espinoza, Supplier Diversity Program Manager, California Water Service
At this year’s event, Cal Am received the Alliance’s 105% Award for the water utility’s 6.5 percent expenditures with DVBEs. Both Cal Water and Golden State Water were recognized for exceeding the goal for DVBE spending in 2017. All three water utilities exceeded the 1.5 percent goal for utilities’ procurement of goods and services from DVBEs established by the California Public Utilities Commission’s General Order 156 (GO 156). Golden State Water was one of only five utilities that exceeded the diverse spending targets in 2017 for all categories in GO 156.
According to its mission, the Alliance is a vibrant organization that empowers, provides resources to, and works side-by-side with veterans to promote and support them in establishing, maintaining, and growing viable business enterprises.
