After being named one of the 10 Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses in 2006 and 2007, AT&T is back for its third appearance in 2009. AT&T, which is in the process of moving its corporate headquarters form Dallas to San Antonio, Texas, spent $123 million with disabled-veteran-owned firms in the last two years.

Randall L. Stephenson, chairman and chief executive officer for the firm said AT&T places a premium on doing business with veterans.

"Our close partnerships with disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE) have made a positive and meaningful difference for AT&T, as we strive every day to be the most trusted company in the telecommunications industry," Stephenson said. "With their military backgrounds, veterans bring valuable insight to our supply chain, and we benefit greatly from their expertise in logistics and operations.Working with veteran-owned businesses not only helps our bottom line but also helps us deliver the best products and services to our customers."

The company recently introduced its new DVBE Mentor-Protégé program, called "Operation Hand Salute" to coach and mentor DVBEs to grow capacity and become more successful. Joan Kerr, executive director, supplier diversity said the numbers of DVBEs are growing and so are AT&T’s efforts to do business with these suppliers.

"We anticipate continued progress towards increasing the number of DVBE firms to our supply chain," Kerr said. "Over the past ten years we’ve increased our DVBE spending by 37 percent and will work to increase these results."

Kerr said the company plans to expand its efforts by creating more opportunities in growing areas of the business.

"Through AT&T’s Supplier Diversity Programs, we are educating and informing DVBE suppliers about the shifts in our industry," Kerr said. "Today, many of the contracting opportunities with AT&T are in the delivery and support of emerging and converged technologies like IPTV video, data communications, content and programming and wireless networks."

Kerr said the company wants prospective DVBEs to be prepared and ready for business in this changing environment.

"AT&T produces workshops and provides scholarships to expert training business school programs to develop DVBE companies," Kerr said. "We are also working hard to improve our prime supplier participation since most opportunities for smaller firms are second and third tier."

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