Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council Elects President

The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council has officially selected Keith L. Eakins Jr. as its new President and CEO. The Ohio Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a direct link between Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs) and its corporate members. E.E. Ward is proud to be affiliated with the OMSDC and certified as an MBE, “OMSDC helped E.E. Ward to navigate and build strong partnerships in the business community,” Brian Brooks, E.E. Ward President, said. “OMSDC’s commitment to strengthen the link between corporations and minority-owned business has fortified our ability to make these important connections.

A native of Cincinnati, Eakins earned his B.S. in Logistics from Alabama A&M University. He has extensive experience in supplier development, having served on numerous boards, including a position as Chair of the Board of Directors of the former Tennessee Minority Supplier Development Council (now part of TriState MSDC), and as Chair of the Board of Directors of the former South Region Minority Supplier Development Council (now the Southern Region Minority Supplier Development Council).

Eakins’ past work experience also gives him a firsthand view of operations. He most recently served as Senior Manager of Supplier Diversity at Nissan North America in Nashville. In that role he was responsible for the expanded development of a comprehensive supplier diversity program. Prior to his work at Nissan North America, Eakins also developed the supplier diversity programs for Volkswagen Group of America and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing.

“Bringing with him many years of experience in Supplier Diversity, I am thrilled that Keith is going to be leading this Council,” said Denise Thomas, Chair of the OMSDC Board of Directors and Director of Corporate Supplier Diversity for The Kroger Co. “Keith’s background makes him the ideal fit to lead our efforts to expand the capabilities of OMSDC and we look forward to his contributions in making the Council a pivotal leader in Supplier Diversity.”

Congratulations to the council and to Keith L. Eakins Jr.! We here at E.E. Ward look forward to seeing how the Ohio MSDC continues its record of excellence.