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Boeing Joins Billion Dollar Roundtable for Diversity
    CHICAGO, May 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has become
one of the newest members of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an organization
that brings together major corporations that make meaningful and measurable
contributions to the economic growth of woman-owned and minority-owned
companies. Don McKneely and Sharon Patterson, roundtable co-founders,
formally introduced Boeing as one of the newest member companies at a
reception last night in New York.
    "As a co-founder and host of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, I applaud
Boeing for its commitment to support diverse firms and the communities
where they operate," said McKneely, chairman of the organization.
    The roundtable was created in 2001 to recognize and bring together
corporations that achieved spending of at least $1 billion annually with
minority- and woman-owned suppliers. The organization promotes and shares
best practices in supply chain diversity excellence, and encourages
dialogue on common issues, opportunities and strategies related to diverse
business.

    Boeing, which spent more than $2 billion with minority- and woman-owned
businesses in 2006, was welcomed as part of the roundtable's biannual
induction of new member companies. The company was selected following a
rigorous application and review process, including an independent
third-party audit to verify its eligibility for the roundtable.
    Joan Robinson-Berry, Boeing director of Supplier Diversity for its
Integrated Defense Systems business, will represent the aerospace company
on the roundtable's board of directors.
    "Boeing has a long-standing commitment to small and diverse
businesses," Robinson-Berry said. "We strive to find opportunities to
utilize the skills and technology of these companies, and for more than 50
years we have maintained a formal supplier diversity program.
    "I am thrilled to have the chance to share through the roundtable the
creative ways Boeing has sought and found opportunities for small and
diverse businesses over the years," Robinson-Berry continued. "I also look
forward to the chance to learn from other roundtable members, because
working with a vibrant small and diverse supplier community is good for our
customers, good for the economy and good for Boeing."
    Boeing joins on the roundtable outstanding corporations in the
telecommunications, automotive, aerospace, consumer goods, and retail
industries. The combined Billion Dollar Roundtable membership celebrated
collective purchases of more than $24 billion in products and services from
minority- and woman-owned suppliers in 2006.

    "Boeing recognizes that diversity brings strength, innovation and
flexibility to our supply base," said John Tracy, Boeing senior vice
president of Engineering, Operations and Technology, whose responsibilities
include companywide oversight of the Supplier Management function. "Tapping
the skills and technologies of small, minority- and woman-owned businesses
has played a vital role in helping us maintain our position as a global
leader in aerospace -- and will continue to do so."
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