Murray Schooner Award

Leader of supplier diversity training. LEARN MORE

Murray Schooner Lifetime Achievement Award

ASDP established this award to honor the profound legacy of Mr. Murray Schooner. During his distinguished 30-year career as a Supplier Diversity Manager at Unisys, Mr. Schooner was a pioneer in integrating diverse suppliers into high-tech and defense supply chains. He was widely recognized not only for his corporate achievements but also as a dedicated teacher and mentor who helped establish the ethical and strategic frameworks of the supplier diversity profession.

Upon his retirement, Mr. Schooner’s commitment to the small business community deepened as he became a passionate advocate and strategic counselor for Veteran-Owned (VOSB) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). He tirelessly guided these entrepreneurs through the complexities of federal prime contracting, ensuring they had the access and opportunities they earned through their service.

Mr. Schooner is remembered for his courageous spirit, maintained throughout his battle with cancer before his passing in 2010, and the unwavering integrity he brought to every business interaction. By nominating a peer, you help ASDP celebrate the high standards of leadership and advocacy that Mr. Schooner embodied.

Learn More About Murray Schooner.

Presentation
The award is announced and presented annually at a major small business conference, during an official ASDP training event, or at another appropriate venue as determined by the Board.

Nomination Process
To nominate a candidate, please click here to complete the form.

Requirement: Please provide a detailed rationale for your selection. Nominees must meet at least five of the seven criteria listed below.
Review: All completed submissions are forwarded to the ASDP President for board review and final decision-making.

Award Criteria
Nominees are evaluated based on their impact, leadership, and commitment to the field:

#	Criteria
1	Industry Impact: A long-term commitment as a Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO) or Supplier Diversity Professional (SDP) that has measurably increased opportunities for small and diverse enterprises across all categories (Small, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB, MBE, DBE, WBE, VBE, LGBTQ+, Disabled-owned, HBCUs, and MSIs).
2	Active Advocacy: A proven track record of promoting small and diverse business opportunities within local, state, federal, or commercial sectors.
3	Community Leadership: Formal recognition within the professional community as a distinguished leader and advocate for small business utilization or supplier diversity.
4	Mentorship: Recognized as an instrumental mentor, instructor, or counselor, helping individuals enter or develop within the field.
5	Ethical Excellence: A consistent demonstration of honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct.
6	Experience: A minimum of 10+ years serving in a SBLO, SDP, or advisory role.
7	Thought Leadership: Contributions as a keynote speaker or panelist at industry events, or as a published author in professional small business or supplier diversity-related publications.

2025 Award Winner
Mr. Scott Denniston’s pioneering work with the Small Business Administration (SBA) laid the foundation for the 8(a) program, and his leadership at the Department of Veterans Affairs marked an era of exceptional achievement with over $3 billion in awards to small businesses. Mr. Denniston has been a transformative leader in expanding opportunities for small and veteran-owned businesses. Notably, he collaborated with Murray Schooner on various small business initiatives! After leaving the government, Mr. Denniston founded and served as Executive Director of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition (NVSBC), leading it to become the nation’s largest veteran small business non-profit trade association. He continues to make an impact in the lives of veterans through his work as Executive Director at Service-Disabled Veteran Medical Products Group.

Explore Our Events.

Several organizations host annual Supplier Diversity events to support education, best practices discussions, and networking within the field.

“A powerhouse training for Small Business Liaison Officers. Put on your thinking cap and join the group for energetic sessions and conversation.”

“This training is excellent for attendees of all levels. The instructors are excellent and committed to the small business cause, as are each of the attendees.”

“This class will give you the background and tools needed to build your Supplier Diversity Program within your organization. It is a must-have for new and experienced Small Business Liaison Officers to not only gain the information needed to succeed as a professional but to meet others and network along the way.”

“This was one of the best professional training programs I have taken. Thorough, engaging and relevant!”

“I am the VP of Supply Chain for a company that builds automation and tooling for aerospace. We recently went from being a small business to being classified as large overnight. In order to satisfy the flow down requirements of our customers, we needed to get training on how to properly establish this protocol within our organization. This class was very helpful in getting us on the way.”

“I am so thankful my organization values our Small Business Diversity program and encouraged us to take this course! I could not have asked for a better learning experience! I have been a designated Small Business Liaison Officer for seven years now and there was a great mix of refresher material and new material that I don't deal with all of the time; plus, they highlighted new and upcoming changes! Best 2 1/2 days of training!!!”

“This is the most extensive, beneficial training I have attended to date as it pertains to my role as Small Business Liaison Officer. So glad I found ASDP!!”

“If you are a newly assigned Small Business Liaison Officer, or have been mandated to fulfill the Small Business Liaison Officer role, then this course is for you. The Alliance of Supplier Diversity Professionals offers the tools to increase your confidence in your new role. They also offer networking opportunities so that you can communicate with other people in your industry and never feel alone. Spread the word. ASDP’s guide to program excellence is a must for all Small Business Liaison Officers.”

“The overall training was excellent, including the energy level and knowledge of the instructors. I learned a lot from the training.”

“The ASDP training was intense and provided an in-depth explanation of rules and regulations that must be abided by. It gave us opportunities to network with other professionals, providing a strong connection to others in similar careers. I thoroughly enjoyed the class!”

“My 4th time re-certifying. I always learn something new. The trainers are great and the subjects pertinent and well presented. Great networking options, as well.”

“The classroom instruction fostered focus on the material and dialog with other students. In-depth discussions and problem solving while in a group setting was very stimulating. The instructors were seasoned practitioners with a wealth of knowledge and experience. The bonus was developing a larger peer group of small business advocates that understand the challenges and rewards of supplier diversity.”

Tina Nicole Ho, ASDP President and Mr. Scott Denniston

Mr. Scott Denniston with ASDP Board. From the front left: Tina N. Ho (President), Yadira Beltre (Secretary), Tina Wang (Treasurer), Shaun Smith (Vice President), Pat McHugh (Education Officer), and Claudia Jara (Events Director)