CHICAGO, April 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, the Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council (Chicago MSDC) and the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee (MBEIC) honor individuals in corporate America and the public sector who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to expanding corporate purchasing from minority companies. This year, Craig Meadors, Vice President, Enterprise Procurement Group, CNA, was named one of the 2016 Outstanding Buyers of the Year by Chicago MSDC and MBEIC. Meadors joins six other recipients from organizations including McDonald's Corporation, United Airlines and the University of Chicago.

"I'm extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award from Chicago MSDC and MBEIC. Diversity is a core value at CNA, and supplier diversity ensures that our supplier base reflects our work environment, community and customer base.  This award represents the coordinated efforts of our teams of CNA procurement, vendor management, and IT professionals," said Meadors.

"CNA is committed to exploring and acting upon all of the opportunities diversity presents," said Tom Pontarelli, Executive Vice President and Chief Administration Officer, CNA. "Through the work of Craig and CNA's Enterprise Procurement Group, we have established and continue to connect to a broad range of business partners and suppliers. This creates opportunities in the communities where we live and work, allowing us to better serve our customers." 

Meadors was named a recipient at the MBEIC Sharing Success Awards Reception and Dinner on April 21, 2016, at this year's Chicago Business Opportunity Fair, the nation's longest multi-day conference and trade fair focused on economic empowerment and development of minority business enterprises.

The Chicago MSDC is a 501(c)(3) organization and is one of the 24 affiliates of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), a nonprofit corporate membership organization that advances business opportunities for its certified Asian, Black, Hispanic and Native American business enterprises and connects them to its corporate members. The mission of Chicago MSDC is to certify, develop, connect and advocate for minority business while creating sustainable and profitable relationships between minority business enterprises and major buying organizations.

About CNA
Serving businesses and professionals since 1897, CNA is the country's eighth largest commercial insurance writer and the 14th largest property and casualty company. CNA's insurance products include standard commercial lines, specialty lines, surety, marine and other property and casualty coverages. CNA's services include risk management, information services, underwriting, risk control and claims administration. For more information, please visit CNA at www.cna.com. "CNA" is a service mark registered by CNA Financial Corporation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Certain CNA Financial Corporation subsidiaries use the "CNA" service mark in connection with insurance underwriting and claims activities.

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CONTACT:
Brandon Davis, 312-822-5167 / 312-834-6091
Sarah Pang, 312-822-6394 / 312-607-5544

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SOURCE CNA