The state’s gas utilities are representing local communities by promoting business diversity
CHICAGO—Leaders from the state’s natural gas utilities—all African-American men—are making progress in improving diversity among contractors and project managers through the Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council, a first-of-its-kind coalition committed to ensuring that diverse suppliers have a seat at the table when it comes to bidding for infrastructure projects.
Richard Mark, chairman and president of Ameren Illinois; Charles Matthews, president and CEO of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas; and Melvin D. Williams, president of Nicor Gas—along with leaders from Commonwealth Edison and Illinois American Water Company—are all making significant company investments in projects to strengthen the state’s energy infrastructure. Bringing those projects to fruition requires a range of skilled contractors, including welders, pipefitters, maintenance workers, engineers and financial consultants. The IUBDC’s focus is to ensure that a growing share of those projects is awarded to minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses.
“The council was really the brainchild of former Illinois public utility service Commissioner Sherina Maye Edwards,” Mark told American Gas. “Sherina had the foresight to see that, while the individual energy companies had made great strides in sourcing goods and services from diverse businesses, so much more could be accomplished if we joined forces. The energy companies really got behind that concept. Now, by collaborating in areas such as operations, workforce development, customer service and energy policy, we’re not only opening more doors for diverse suppliers, we’re strengthening the performance of our sector as a whole.
“Consider that the IUBDC member companies cover nearly every community in the state of Illinois,” Mark continued. “The people who live in these communities are paying for the investments that we are all making to build a more modern energy infrastructure. By focusing on diversity, we’re ensuring that the makeup of our workforce and supply base is reflective of the customers we serve.” — Robert Bittner