Trailblazer Award

Jerald Martin

Jerald Martin (retired), senior vice president and general manager, PepsiCo Financial Services, accepts his award from Cheryl Stevens, vice president, supplier diversity, Energy Future Holdings, and vice chairman of the board, American Institute of Diversity and Commerce.
According to the founding president of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, Susan Bari, there would be no WBENC without Jerald Martin. He is credited with providing the wisdom, connections, motivation — and the ability to raise the funds — that boosted the creation of the organization in 1996 and remained a committed volunteer, mentor and leader. Mr. Martin became a staunch and steady supporter of women’s business enterprises while working at PepsiCo, where he served in many positions. Before retiring as a senior vice president and general manager for PepsiCo Financial Services, he held a variety of positions at the company and its Frito-Lay division, including senior vice president with responsibility for global procurement, vice president of North America purchasing, controller and treasurer, planning director and plant manager. Because Mr. Martin believed that WBEs could achieve greater levels of success when surrounded with the guidance of corporate mentors and advocates, he served in leadership positions for a number of WBE groups, including WBENC and the Women’s Business Council Southwest, and championed the creation of its predecessor – the North Texas Women’s Business Council. Mr. Martin’s good deeds continue even in retirement. He is active in Plano 4th Ward Elders Quorum where his insight helps strengthen families and give direction to a new generation. He and his wife, Gemie, have eight children and 20 grandchildren and reside in Plano, Texas.

Tom Trotter accepts from Lynn Scott and Bill Alcorn

Tom Trotter Even though Trotter was never directly responsible for supplier diversity during his 40-year career at IBM Corp., the company selected him as its diversity executive of the year, thanks to his diversity advocacy. After retiring as IBM’s director of north America operations in 2008, he maintained his role on the front lines of supplier diversity by chairing the Senior Advisory Council of the Women’s Business Council Southwest and serving as an advisory board member for Women’s Enterprise magazine. He is also the board chairman of American Institute of Diversity and Commerce.