Utility Captures Maryland Chamber's Inaugural Large Company Partner in Business Award

Washington, D.C. - Pepco has been honored by the Maryland Chamber of Commerce for its outstanding contributions to supplier diversity. A panel of four independent judges, who represented a diverse group of small business publications in the state of Maryland, made the historic selection.

Pepco is now the first company ever to be honored in the newly-created category of Large Company Partner in Business. In 2009, Pepco conducted business with 172 Maryland suppliers, of which 113 were large firms while 59 were small firms - the equivalent of roughly 34 percent of Pepco's business.

Upon receiving the award, Pepco Region President Thomas H. Graham said, "Opportunity and innovation are at the heart of our Diversity Supplier Program. Pepco benefits greatly from its partnerships with a variety of small but highly capable companies. That is why I am very proud of this program and deeply honored by the Maryland Chamber's recognition."

Created in 1987, Pepco's supplier diversity initiative has been widely recognized as a national model for the utility industry. In the category of innovation, Pepco scored high marks with the judges because of "Sourcing Workflow," an online and transparent tool that allows professional buyers, user groups and PHI's Supplier Diversity team to review what is required for a request for proposal (RFP) and add qualified bidders for consideration.

Established in 2001, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Awards program was created to honor the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by Maryland's estimated 160,000 small businesses.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 778,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.