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Oklahoma's Minority Supplier Development Council names Lopez "Outstanding Supplier of the Year."

Oklahoma City, OK (October 13, 1998) – The Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC) last night named John C. Lopez, Chairman and CEO of Lopez Foods, Inc., its 1998 "Outstanding Minority Supplier of the Year, Class III." Lopez Foods, of Oklahoma City, was selected from among the state's largest companies for the honor. The award was presented during the OMSDC Business Leadership Awards dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City.

"John Lopez' efforts in championing community and economic development opportunities as the principal of Lopez Foods – a national meat supplier to the McDonald's restaurant system and Wal Mart Stores – exemplifies the benefits of contracting with minority businesses," said Debra Ponder Nelson, Executive Director of OMSDC.

"This is a great honor for me and my associates because it is made by an organization which understands the necessary balance between profitability and corporate citizenship," said Lopez. "I owe credit for this award to the people who make up our company's work force, because they support entrepreneurship and economic development for all our associates," he added.

OMSDC was established to assist corporations and public sector agencies in creating a business environment to promote access and increase opportunities for minority-owned businesses. Among its aims is to help build a stronger, more equitable society by fostering minority business development.

This is yet another in a series of awards for the company since Lopez assumed controlling interest of the Oklahoma City-based meat processing plant in 1992. In 1996, the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association (HAPCOA), named Lopez winner of its "Aguila" award in the "Private Individual" category at its national convention in Las Vegas, NV. 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 "Hispanic Business of the Year" in 1996. The firm was recognized for its support of the agency and setting a positive example for minority-owned businesses in the community. LCDA is a grass-roots 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), named Lopez 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 controlling interest in Lopez Foods, Inc. (nee Normac Foods) in 1992. He began his career with McDonald's as a restaurant operator in 1978. An 18-year veteran of the McDonald's system, Lopez remains actively involved with the Ronald McDonald Children's Charities and the Ronald McDonald Houses across the nation.

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 service, while maintaining low costs. Lopez Foods, Inc. is among the largest, Hispanic-owned, manufacturing companies in the United States. 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.

"Minority Supplier of the Year" award goes to Lopez Foods. John C. Lopez (center), Chairman of the Board of Directors & Chief Executive Officer of Lopez Foods, Inc. of Oklahoma City, OK., was named "Outstanding Minority Supplier of 1998" in the Class III category. Lopez is congratulated by Executive Director Debra Ponder Nelson (right) and Chairman James Johnson (left) of the Oklahoma Minority Supplier Development Council (OMSDC). The award was presented during OMSDC's Business Leadership Awards dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Oklahoma City.

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