Awards Overview The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) at the U.S. Department of Commerce is the only federal agency dedicated exclusively to fostering the establishment and growth of minority businesses in the United States. MBDA and its network of business centers serve minority entrepreneurs who are pursuing growth in size, scale and capacity. In doing so, minority firms are better positioned to create new jobs, impact local economies and expand into national and global marketplaces. The MED Week Awards Program is designed to celebrate and recognize the outstanding achievements of minority entrepreneurs, as well as individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing minority business enterprise. The diversity of the awardees, as it pertains to the constituency served by MBDA, is a key objective of the MED Week Awards Program. 2010 AWARD WINNERS - MED Week Atlanta Region Ms. Tisha Tallmanl President/CEO Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Atlanta, GA Advocate of the Year Mr. Bernard Bronner President/CEO Bronner Brothers Marietta, GA Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year Ms. Pilar Bernd President/Founder The Bernd Group Dunedin, FL Minority Global Supplier Distributor of the Year Ms. Deberah M. Stone Manager, Supplier Diversity AT&T Atlanta, GA Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award Mr. Harold Mills Chief Executive Officer ZeroChaos Orlando, FL Distinguished Supplier Diversity Award Mr. Darrin Thomas President Thomas Media Group, LLC. Columbia, SC Media Award Mr. Michael E. Hicks, Jr. President/CEO Hixardt Technologies, Inc. Pensacola, FL Minority Global Technology Firm of the Year Mr. Mark Wilson President/CEO Ryla, Inc. Kennesaw, GA Regional Directors Award