News Release, Office of Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford yesterday received the Legacy in Leadership Award at The Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council’s (CRMSDC) 38th Annual Leaders & Legends Awards Ceremony, featuring the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill.
The Leaders & Legends Awards recognizes individuals and companies who are committed to minority economic development and entrepreneurship, while the Top 100 MBEs honors Minority Business Enterprises that inspire communities through entrepreneurial accomplishments.
The Legacy in Leadership Award was presented to Lt. Governor Rutherford by Special Secretary Jimmy Rhee of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority, & Women Business Affairs, as well as Diane Dempsey, 2nd Vice-Chair of the CRMSDC Board of Directors.
“It is wonderful to be here among so many impressive leaders from throughout the region, and I am extremely grateful to be included among them,” said Lt. Governor Rutherford. “As lieutenant governor, I have had the unique opportunity to witness some truly remarkable companies and organizations that are driving innovation and making Maryland the best it can be. My fellow honorees are a perfect example of that.”
Maryland’s Minority Business Enterprise program has been recognized as a national model for minority business inclusion in state procurement and contracting. Currently, there are 70 participating state agencies that award an overall minimum of 29% of the total dollar value of their procurement contracts directly or indirectly to certified MBE firms.
In addition, Maryland leads the nation in the number of minority- and women-owned businesses operating in the state. The Hogan-Rutherford administration has been committed to supporting minority-owned businesses and helping them gain access to the state’s procurement pipeline.