In 2004, the company held its fourth annual Supplier of the Year Awards. Supply Chain Management and the suppliers’ internal clients recognized those suppliers who offer the quality of service, support and diversity that allows the company’s business units to maximize their results and aggressively manage costs. Our company currently deals with more than 2,500 suppliers.

APS  Academy for the Advancement of Minority and Women-owned Enterprises

One major component of APS’ effort to promote the efforts of women- and minority-owned businesses is the APS Academy for the Advancement of Minority and Women-owned Enterprises (AAAME). Launched in 1997, AAAME is aimed at teaching small-business owners the skills necessary for their companies to succeed.

This is done through training in such areas as strategic planning, finance, management/operations and marketing. Students then are partnered with advisers from both the non-profit and private sectors. These include APS volunteers, business consultants and retired executives – who can provide lessons learned from their own experiences in the business world. The Academy is offered at no charge to those accepted. In 2004, 12 companies graduated from the Academy.

Pinnacle  West Supplier Diversity Program

The Supplier Diversity & Development (SDD) Team is committed to facilitating and expanding competitive business opportunities with Minority, Women, Veteran, Service-Disabled Veterans and HUBZone Enterprises primarily in Arizona and the Southwest. 

Our efforts are driven by the diversity of the communities, in which we live and serve. We work with these diverse suppliers to provide greater value, innovative thinking and improve the availability of competitive goods and services to Pinnacle West. Our success is attributed to strategic relationships built on direct, honest and equitable communications.