Benita Fortner accepts from Jim Holloway

Benita Fortner Fortner is the director of supplier diversity for Raytheon Co., a position she assumed in 2000 after serving as the socioeconomic program manager for the Waltham, Massachusettsbased defense contractor. Before joining Raytheon, she held numerous management positions during a 28-year career at Hughes Aircraft Co. As procurement manager at Hughes, she was instrumental in significantly increasing the number of corporate agreements awarded to small minorityand women-owned suppliers, implementing supplier customer feedback sessions and fostering second-tier alliances.