California American Water to host diverse business expo in Citrus Heights

California American Water will host a “diverse” business expo on July 12 for the area’s minority, disabled veteran and woman owned businesses.

The event will provide potential business opportunities, mentoring and coaching for Sacramento’s diverse business owners as well as offer potential networking partnerships.

Members from the California Public Utilities Commission’s Supplier Clearinghouse will also be on hand to help business owners navigate the administrative requirements of becoming and maintaining their status as a certified diverse business owner in California.

In 1988, the CPUC ordered all large investor-owned electric, gas, water and telecommunication utility companies to develop and implement programs to increase the utilization of woman, minority and disabled veteran owned businesses. The Clearinghouse was established to audit and verify the status and to establish and maintain a database of these businesses.

Last year, California American Water exceeded the CPUC’s diverse vendor goals, becoming the first water utility to do so since the ordered was issued. California American Water spent more than $16 million with woman, minority and disabled veteran owned businesses throughout the state or nearly 24 percent of its total capital expenditures. The CPUC’s goal is 21.5 percent.

“We believe that our workforce should be representative of the communities we serve,” said California American Water president Rob MacLean. “We are very proud of our accomplishments in this area and we hope this expo and other initiatives we have planned will continue that success.”

A diverse vendor includes businesses that are owned and operated by minorities, women or disabled veterans. This can include construction, consulting, engineering, financial and marketing firms as well as businesses that provide tools and equipment.

Prospective vendors are encouraged to attend the event in order to learn more about becoming a certified diverse vendor and meet with company representatives who make purchasing decisions. For more information about the event contact Tina Heaox at (916) 568-4248.

California American Water, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high-quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water is the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs more than 7,000 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to approximately 15 million people in more than 30 states, as well as parts of Canada. More information can be found by visiting www.amwater.com.

In 2011, American Water is celebrating its 125th anniversary with a yearlong campaign to promote water efficiency and the importance of protecting water from source to tap. To learn more, visit www.amwater125.com.