Page 43 - BEQ Magazine Iss 19

FROM PAGE 25

research and think strategically, along with being
diverse.”
White’s leadership is what’s bringing people
together on this, leadership gained from his
background in the Navy. He describes his time in
the navy as an immersive environment that inspired
camaraderie and teamwork, where everyone looked
out for each other no matter how close they were or
weren’t. Now he helms a strong team that leads by
example and listens to its members’ input along the
way which is enriched by his group’s diversity.
“Leadership is the first thing you learn in the
military. More specifically, leading by example.
I won’t ask anything from my team that I’m not
willing to tackle myself,” he said. “If long hours and
hard work are required, I make sure I’m right there
with them.”
This ties into the sense of community he’s gained
from his large family. In addition to his wife, two
children (27 and 15) and parents, White stays in
touch with his extended family of aunts, uncles,
and cousins, all ready to rally around each other
and provide assistance when needed. He brought
this same culture of support to his associates and in
CHARLES “CHUCK” WHITE, Vice President of Procurement
these times of pandemic, it’s been an added comfort
to know that they have that support and that backup.
“I make sure my team knows that I am there for
them, so when life happens, they know they don’t
have to worry about work,” White said. “There’s a lot SUPPLIER DIVERSITY AWARDS
to worry about in life, I want to make sure that those & RECOGNITION
around me know I’m here for them and want to help
Corporate Partner - NGLCC
them however I can.”
National Platinum Partners - Human Rights Campaign/17 consecutive years
Procurement has changed dramatically over the
100 percent on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index
past 25 years and being inclusive is an important
Nationwide’s PRIDE ARG is registered with Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
factor in making it change for the better.
Member of the Business Coalition for Workplace Fairness .
“For all the bad and all the destruction the
2019 WBENC Top Corporation for Women Business Enterprises
COVID-19 pandemic caused, I think there’s been a
2019 Omnikal Top 50 Organizations for Multicultural Business Opportunities
lot of good change in the way people work,” he said.
2019 WE USA’s Top 100 Corporations of the Year for Supplier Diversity
Being able to meet from a distance instead of having
2019 USPAACC Corporation of the Year
to meet in person opens opportunities for people and
2019 NBIC Best of the Best Top 50 Corporations for Inclusion
for small businesses. The role of procurement will
2019 Black EOE Journal’s Top Supplier Diversity program
continue to expand, he believes, and that will lead to
2019 MBN USA’s Champions for Diversity
more diversity.
2019 Diversity Plus Magazine Top 30 Champions of Diversity Frantz Tiffeau
“There is a lot of opportunity out there. It takes
2019 WE USA’s Top 100 Leaders in Supplier Diversity Frantz Tiffeau
time and effort, but it truly is a win-win for all,”
White said. 
SUMMER 2021 43
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