BNSF News

BNSF Honors Diverse Businesses for Best-in-Class Service at Annual Awards Ceremony

2010-01-28

BNSF's Diverse Business Enterprise (DBE) team honored two diverse businesses and two BNSF employees on Monday, Jan. 18, for best-in-class customer service, support, efficiency and reliability in 2009.

As part of BNSF's corporate diversity initiatives and sourcing strategy, BNSF's DBE team helps minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses expand their relationships with BNSF by using new sourcing approaches and advanced technologies.

Two renowned BNSF suppliers were awarded for their superior value to BNSF and for going above and beyond in supporting our business. Two BNSF employees were also recognized for proactively and efficiently forging and developing relationships and on-boarding those minority-owned businesses at BNSF.

Distinguished Supplier Award: Searle Petroleum, a Red Giant Company

• Woman-owned business that provides oil and lubricants to BNSF
• Certified through the Women's Business Enterprise National Council
• Received the award for superior value and customer support

Newcomer of the Year Award: Steinbrecher & Associates

• Woman-owned business that provides training, leadership conferences and executive coaching

Paul Bischler, vice president and chief sourcing officer, Strategic Sourcing and Supply (SS&S), presented the awards at a ceremony at BNSF headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

"BNSF continues to identify, attract and develop long-term relationships with diverse suppliers in the marketplace," said Bischler. "We are honored to recognize these companies and employees for their partnership and their efforts to expand our DBE footprint."

Employee recognition

Jeff Estes, project engineer, Finance, received the DBE Stakeholder of the Year Award, which is presented annually to the BNSF stakeholder who champions DBE efforts above and beyond normal practice.

Estes partnered with the DBE team to on-board a new DBE vegetation-control supplier. Estes also played an integral role on the Houston Intermodal bid. He represented BNSF on the company's behalf at last year's Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.

Randy Morgan, manager, SS&S, received the DBE Strategic Sourcing and Supply Employee of the Year Award. This recognition is presented annually to Strategic Sourcing and Supply employees who demonstrate proactive involvement in BNSF's DBE program.

Morgan proactively seeks out DBE companies for future sourcing initiatives and was key in securing additional business with Searle Petroleum in 2009, which was the largest on-boarding opportunity. He also partnered with current suppliers on the certification processes.

About the photos:

Top photo: Pictured from left: Steig Sabee, assistant vice president, Strategic Sourcing & Supply (SS&S); Randy Morgan, manager, SS&S; Patricia F. Carrigan, vice president, Searle Petroleum; David Bills, vice president, Searle Petroleum; Sherry G. Bills, president, Searle Petroleum; and Paul Bischler, vice president and chief sourcing officer, SS&S.

Photo No. 2: Pictured from left: Susan Steinbrecher, founder and chief executive officer, Steinbrecher & Associates; Amy Cooper, manager, SS&S; Leighann Vernon, director, SS&S; and Paul Bischler, vice president and chief sourcing officer, SS&S.

Photo No. 3: Pictured from left: Bob Boileau, assistant vice president, Engineering; Andy Manthei, director, SS&S; Jeff Estes, project engineer, Finance; and Paul Bischler, vice president and chief sourcing officer, SS&S.

Photo No. 4: Pictured from left: Steig Sabee, assistant vice president, SS&S; Randy Morgan, manager, SS&S; and Paul Bischler, vice president and chief sourcing officer, SS&S.

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com