Diversity Business Enterprises and ASM Global- Knoxville

"The COK's goal is to work both externally and internally to assist DBEs, we strive to accomplish this in multiple ways.

o Being intentional in our procurements to include minority-owned, woman-owned and small businesses.
o By providing our internal department with the Diversity Business Directory to assist them with locating DBEs for the products and services needed.
o By setting and reporting the COKs aspirational goals and departmental spend.
o By recognizing the DBE businesses who helped us achieve one or more of the City's five core goals (Public Safety, Health and Connected Communities, Clean and Resilient Future, Thriving Businesses and Good Jobs, and Good Governance) and our internal stakeholders for being intentional in their purchases during our annual DBE Award ceremony."

"ASM Global has worked alongside of the COK to strategically include DBEs in their procurement process and by aligning their focus with that of the COK. Mary Bogert, Jason Bourgoyne, and others on the Knoxville ASM Global team routinely reach out to the Small Business and Diversity Business Outreach Office for assistance with connecting DBEs on upcoming projects. They also participate in the COKs annual Business Opportunities Breakfast, which is strategically held in June each year, where we roll-out the approved budget and upcoming bid opportunities in the upcoming fiscal year. The ASM Global team members man a booth to share information on their planned projects and discretionary spend forecasts with the attendees. The COKs Small Business and Diversity Outreach Office also meets at the mid-year point of the FY to review spend numbers and upcoming projects to see where ASM Global can be more intentional on their procurements."

"We just held our 9th annual DBE Award ceremony on September 19th, where we presented awards to twelve stellar business and recognized internal departments for having the Highest Percentage Spend with Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business. The four departments recognized were Fleet in the large spend category, Engineering in the Medium spend category, Special Events in the Small spend category and Finance in the Micro Spend Category. We also recognized five departments with small business discretionary spend exceeding 50%.
We were very surprised at the competitive atmosphere among our internal departments. The awarded departments were recognized during the mayor's cabinet meeting and the awards are prominently displayed in the departments. We even had departments stop the Small Business and Diversity Outreach Office to request assistance with including DBEs on projects and small dollar spend opportunities, while saying my department is working hard to win an award this year."

"Understanding and supporting DBEs is crucial for fostering a vibrant and inclusive business community in Knoxville. When I first started working in this field, my former boss Boyce Evans, the COK's current CFO, always said, 'High tide raises all ships.' Using that philosophy, in order for the Knoxville economy to grow, all businesses must be represented and included in the procurement process. They provide a wide range of goods and services, from their unique and cultural perspectives and help grow the economy."