AT&T Honored as One of the 10 Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses

AT&T is Recognized on Distinguished List for Being a Pioneer and Leader in Including Veteran-Owned Businesses in its Supply Chain

Dallas, Texas, AT&T* today announced that it has been recognized as one of the 10 Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses by the National Veteran-Owned Business Association (NaVOBA) for its unwavering commitment to including disabled-veteran-owned firms in its supply chain.

This is the fourth year that AT&T is included in this prestigious list, which honors large corporations that go above and beyond to incorporate the nation’s 3 million veteran-owned businesses in their supply chain. AT&T joins an elite group of other corporate leaders including Booz Allen Hamilton, DynCorp International and a distinguished newcomer, Deere & Company.

“With their military backgrounds, veterans bring valuable insight to our supply chain, and we benefit greatly from their expertise in logistics and operations,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and chief executive officer. “Working with veteran-owned businesses not only helps our bottom line, but also helps us deliver the best products and services to our customers.”

AT&T’s longstanding legacy to include diverse suppliers in its supply chain stems from its commitment to serving diverse communities across the country. Established more than 15 years ago, AT&T’s Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) Program helps ensure disabled veteran business enterprises are fully included in contract opportunities throughout AT&T’s dynamic supply chain.

AT&T has achieved some of the highest supplier diversity spending results in the country. In 2008, AT&T spent more than $70 million dollars with disabled veteran business enterprises. Over the past 10 years, AT&T’s spending with DVBEs has increased by 37 percent. In addition to these spending achievements, AT&T has coached and mentored numerous DVBE companies to success in its supply chain through its formal and informal supplier development programs.

In the past few years, AT&T has also been recognized by the Association for Service Disabled Veterans (ASDV) for its unwavering support of programs for service disabled veteran-owned businesses. AT&T was awarded the Patriot Partner Award for its leadership in DVBE programs and for encouraging and increasing contracting opportunities for businesses owned by veterans. AT&T has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Military—Friendly Employers by G.I. Jobs magazine for its dedication to supporting the military through events and programs, hiring a large percentage of military veterans and maintaining policies that ensure that reservist employees and their families continue to receive compensation when the soldier is called to active duty.

*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. 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 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verseSM and AT&T | DIRECTVSM 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’s Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies. 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.