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U.S. Department of Commerce's MBDA names Lopez Foods 1999 "National Minority Manufacturer Firm of the Year.²

Washington, D.C. (October 1, 1999) — The United States Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) this week named Lopez Foods, Inc., its 1999 "National Minority Manufacturer Firm of the Year." The Oklahoma City-based meat processing company was selected from among the nation's largest minority-owned businesses for the honor. The award was presented at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., during the organization's, 17th annual Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week activities. MBDA recognizes contributions made by minority entrepreneurs and corporations to the nation and its economy.

"Lopez Foods was selected for this award because of its achievements and the role it plays in the advancement of minority business development," said Courtland Cox, Director of MBDA. "The company is a national supplier to McDonald's and Wal-Mart Stores; a phenomenal accomplishment in the competitive meat industry when one considers the firm's relatively young age," Cox added.

MBDA is part of the Department of Commerce and assists corporations and public sector agencies in creating a business environment to promote access and increase opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Among its objectives is to help build a stronger, more equitable society by fostering minority business development. This is the second award for Lopez Foods from MBDA this month. On September 10, in Dallas, TX, the company was chosen the 1999 "Regional Minority Manufacturer Firm of the Year."

"This is a great honor for me, my family, my associates, our suppliers, and our business colleagues, because it was earned by all of us working in unison to deliver the highest quality consumer products," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John C. Lopez. "The fact that the award is conferred on us by an organization that understands the essential balance between profitability and community reinvestment makes it much more meaningful," he stated.

Since Lopez assumed controlling interest of the meat processing plant in 1992, the company and its principals have been recognized by a variety of professional, public and private organizations, among them: the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA), who named Lopez winner of its 1996 "Aguila Award" in the "Private Individual" category at its national convention in Chicago, IL. HAPCOA is the nation's oldest advocacy organization for Hispanic executives in law enforcement and criminal justice across the nation.

The Latino Community Development Agency (LCDA) of Oklahoma City named Lopez Foods the city's 1996 "Hispanic Business of the Year." Lopez Foods was recognized for its support of the LCDA and setting a positive example for other minority-owned businesses in the community. LCDA is a grassroots organization working to enhance the quality of life for Latinos in the Oklahoma area through education. leadership, and advocacy.

The National Hispanic Employees Association (NHEA), selected Lopez as its 1997 "Entrepreneur of the Year." He was one of 13 honorees from across the nation who were honored by NHEA during its "Breaking Barriers" Awards Conference and Career Expo in San Jose, California.

Lopez took control of Lopez Foods, Inc. (nee Normac Foods) in 1992. He began his career with McDonald's as a restaurant operator in 1978. A 21-year veteran of the McDonald's system, he remains actively involved with the Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities, Ronald McDonald's Houses across the nation, and McDonald's HACER scholarship program. Lopez was also recently named to the Bank of Oklahoma's Board of Directors.

Under his direction, Lopez Foods, Inc. is committed to providing customers like McDonald's restaurants and Wal-Mart Stores with the best quality and value in products and services. Lopez Foods, Inc. is among the largest, Latino-owned, manufacturing companies in the country and is positioned for continued growth, well into the new millennium. The company employs over 300 associates "who operate the facility 24 hours a day" making it one of Oklahoma City's major employers and sales leaders.

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer John C. Lopez (center) and President & Chief Operating Officer Charlie Barajas (3rd from left) of Lopez Foods accepted the award for being named 1999 "National Minority Manufacturer Firm of the Year" by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) in Washington, D.C. Among those offering them congratulations are Congressman Ruben Hinojosa of Texas (3rd from right); Wal-Mart Director of Federal & International Government Affairs, Norm Lezy (2nd from right); McDonald's Senior Vice President of U.S. Supply Chain Management, Tom Albrecht (left), Vice President of U.S. Supply Chain Management, Wayne Wolf (2nd from left), and Director of Government Affairs, Richard L. Crawford, (right).

MBDA has joined with its parent agency, the Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) for the past 17 years to recognize the many contributions by America's minority entrepreneurs to the nation and its economy. Lopez Foods, of Oklahoma City, OK, is a major national supplier to McDonald's Corporation and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

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