In this episode, George Ehrgott, Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Diversity at CTDI, a longtime advocate for supplier diversity and a recipient of the WBENC “He4She” Award, discusses the history of supplier diversity with ARTEMIA’s CEO, Barbara Wichmann. During this conversation, George addresses many of the “hot topics” that are on the minds of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and start-up teams: Why is supplier diversity important for today’s tech companies, start-ups and global corporations? What are best practices for developing a successful program? What are the challenges facing supplier diversity today? He also provides examples of successful supplier diversity efforts and makes the business case for a diversified supplier base.

About Our Guest: George Ehrgott

George is responsible for Strategic Sourcing and Supplier Diversity at Communications Test Design, Inc. George has been with CTDI since it was a small business and has grown with the company to where they are now over $1.5B sales as a prime supplier to high-tech industries. George has also been Chairperson of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council – East (Philadelphia area WBENC partner), Certification Committee Co-Chair, and on a number of WBENC national Committees. He is the 2016 recipient of the NMSDC Corporate Clarion Award and honored by WBENC as a He4She Champion.

George has a BS in Management from West Chester University and Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a lifetime Certified Purchasing Manager (C.P.M.) certificate from the Institute of Supply Management. Married with three children – family, music, and great food are the important pieces to understand his life.

About Our Host: Barbara Wichmann

Barbara Wichmann, CEO and founder of ARTÉMIA Communications, Inc., an award-winning, global, full-service communications & digital marketing agency serving Fortune 100/500 companies in the utilities, technology, financial services and healthcare sectors as well as high-growth startups and international government agencies. As an industry-leading communications expert she oversees the company’s strategic development and is instrumental in representing the agency’s interests in the area of innovation, service delivery and partnership development.

More episodes of On The Wire are available on our website. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, SoundCloud and other major podcast platforms. Do you know someone who’d make a great guest? We’d love to hear from you! Please email service@artemia.com.

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