“EEI is proud to recognize this year’s awardees for their exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to strengthening communities through supplier inclusion and development,” said EEI President and CEO Drew Maloney. “These organizations exemplify the power of collaboration, opportunity, and forward-thinking solutions that not only advance our industry, but also create lasting economic impact for businesses and families across the country.”

Learn more about the winners below.

DTE Energy earns the EEI Excellence Award

This award is presented to an EEI member company that demonstrates stellar contributions in supplier engagement, development, growth, partnership, sustainability, and economic impact.

DTE Energy distinguished itself through a comprehensive and highly integrated supplier engagement strategy supported by executive leadership partnership, operational accountability, supplier development initiatives, and advanced supply chain analytics.

The company’s achievements included a CEO-signed supplier inclusion policy, enterprise-wide supplier engagement processes with embedded accountability measures, extensive internal training on inclusive procurement practices, and the implementation of operational tools designed to promote transparency and continuous improvement.

DTE Energy was also recognized for its mentorship program based on a four-pillar safety maturity model, dynamic supplier outreach initiatives that strengthen community partnerships, and expanded use of narrative storytelling to elevate supplier visibility, workforce development, and inclusive economic participation.

Over the two-year evaluation period, DTE Energy’s annual spend with local suppliers exceeded $6.3 billion and supported more than 3,700 local suppliers within its operational footprint.

Oncor Electric Delivery receives the EEI Supplier Engagement Innovation Award

This award recognizes innovative supplier engagement practices that create measurable benefits for suppliers, communities, and the company.

Oncor Electric Delivery earned recognition for its Building Opportunities and Leading Transformation (BOLT) initiative, a comprehensive strategy focused on expanding supplier engagement, strengthening business capacity, and improving access to opportunities. The company also launched its Blue Wave Supplier Development Program, which provided intensive operational readiness, risk mitigation, and business continuity training for 30 supplier cohorts. Graduates of the program have since secured contracts with Oncor, prime contractors, and global organizations.

Over the two-year nomination period, Oncor’s spend with local suppliers exceeded $6 billion and supported more than 4,600 local suppliers.

Burns & McDonnell earns the EEI Prime Supplier Leadership Award

This award is presented annually to a prime supplier that demonstrates exceptional leadership in supplier engagement, outreach, and mentoring across their supply chain operations.

Burns & McDonnell was recognized for its comprehensive supplier engagement initiatives, including a CEO-signed strategic partner policy, formalized supplier inclusion processes, a cross-functional Strategic Advisory Council, and strategic planning frameworks that measure and support supplier progress.

Additional highlights include their internal supplier inclusion training programs, strategic partner development through the Accelerate Program, annual symposiums focused on best practice sharing and networking, scholarship and capacity-building support for strategic partners, workforce development initiatives, and supplier recognition programs celebrating partner success.

In 2025, Burns & McDonnell’s economic impact with strategic partners totaled approximately $1.5 billion, representing 21% of the company’s total spend and supporting business opportunities for more than 1,200 strategic partners.

Infinite Energy Construction (IEC) earns the EEI Distinguished Supplier Award

This award is presented annually to a supplier that demonstrates superior performance and excellence in community engagement, job creation, mentoring, and development.

IEC has steadily expanded its capabilities from substation engineering into substation commissioning, strategic procurement, and staffing support, delivering innovative solutions that address critical utility construction challenges.

IEC also was recognized for its partnership and mentorship collaboration with Burns & McDonnell to support growing transmission and distribution market demands while actively promoting supplier engagement by sharing its success story and highlighting the value of mentorship in business growth. Since partnering with Burns & McDonnell, IEC has created 21 new jobs and established a new office in a HUBZone community, further contributing to local economic development.

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