SAN FRANCISCO, March 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* announced today that it spent nearly $2 billion in California with diverse suppliers in 2011. This record spending represents a year-over-year increase and minority, women and disabled veteran-owned businesses across the state are directly benefiting from this significant investment.

For 44 years, AT&T has been a pioneer and national leader in the inclusion of minority, women and disabled veteran-owned businesses in the corporate supply chain. AT&T's steadfast commitment to supplier diversity is reflected in this year's industry-leading diversity spending achievements. By investing in diverse local suppliers, AT&T is helping them sustain existing jobs while creating new ones. Additionally, the company's California investment generates significant additional economic activity and helps create jobs.

"Our company experienced tremendous growth in our business by providing engineering, furnishings and installation services to AT&T," said Larry Jordan, CEO of Telpro Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Fairfield, California. "We grew our employee base by more than 100% and hired 51 Californians in just one year," he said.

Supplier diversity is a critical initiative of AT&T's business strategy and a key component of the company's plan to deliver the best products and services to its customers. Continuously expanding contracting opportunities for diverse businesses helps strengthen AT&T's core products while demonstrating the company's commitment to the community.

"Amerit has had a working, consulting relationship with AT&T since 2001 and continues to nurture that relationship today," said Gary Herbold, President of Amerit Consulting, a disabled veteran-owned business. "During those years, Amerit has grown significantly to $90 million in revenue with 1,000 full time and contracted employees."

"We're pleased to be doing business with local minority, women, and disabled veteran-owned businesses and at the same time supporting California's economy," said Ken McNeely, President of AT&T California. "It's paramount to AT&T that we help sustain and grow California jobs at a time when our state needs them most."

In 2011, AT&T's wireline spending was more than a billion dollars in California and AT&T's mobility business experienced a 112% increase over last year's mobility spending, totaling over $707 million dollars in California alone. AT&T has significantly increased its California supplier diversity spending year-over-year. Nationally, AT&T spent more than $12 billion with diverse suppliers in 2011.

"AT&T's record diversity spending achievements are a true testament to the company's commitment to building stronger diverse communities in California," said Len Canty, Chairman of the Black Economic Council. "AT&T's impressive focus in the area of supplier diversity is one of the many ways in which the company is helping create new jobs and sustain existing ones as part of their significant overall investment in California's innovation economy."

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is a premier communications holding company and [ one of the most honored companies in the world ]. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at [ http://www.att.com ]. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at [ http://www.att.com/newsroom ] and as part of an RSS feed at [ www.att.com/rss ]. Or follow our news on Twitter at [ @ATT ].

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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AT&T Spend Nears $2 Billion in California With Minority, Women and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses in 2011

AT&T Spend Nears $2 Billion in California With Minority, Women and Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses in 2011

Company's investment in diverse local suppliers generates significant economic activity and job growth in California