Retired Vice President – Supplier Diversity Initiative, WEC Energy Group

At Medellin & Associates, Jerry leads the Supplier Diversity Practice. This dynamic practice provides “best practice” solutions to companies seeking to increase its MBE/WBE/BEP/DBE spend and diverse concerns desiring to become certified and attain government contracts. Jerry holds 30+ years of corporate supplier diversity & supply chain experience.

He provides Strategy, Implementation and Tactical solutions across sectors. Jerry is nationally recognized as a thought leader in Supplier Diversity!

While at WEC Energy Group, Jerry Fulmer was appointed vice president – supplier diversity initiative in June 2015 and retired as vice president – supplier diversity initiative in January 2020.

Fulmer was appointed Director, Supplier Diversity Initiative, for Wisconsin Energy in 2002. Fulmer directed the company’s supplier diversity activities, including managing human capital, and fostering corporate relationships with suppliers and contractors, area businesses, regulated entities, local/ state governments. Fulmer led the company’s six utility subsidiaries business units to establish supplier diversity-related goals and objectives and trained employees on how to achieve these goals through better business and procurement practices. Fulmer also worked in the business community, facilitating proactive, mutually beneficial relationships with business advocacy groups and businesses owned and operated by women, minorities, veterans and service-disabled veterans.

In addition to developing supplier diversity for WEC Energy Group and its utility subsidiaries, Fulmer also has played a key role in helping We Power, a Wisconsin Energy Corporation subsidiary, achieve the supplier diversity goals outlined in the corporation’s 10-year growth plan – Power the Future.

 

Prior to joining WEC, Fulmer spent 21 years in the utility industry, including eight in the area of procurement, and was a recognized leader in the supplier diversity field. Fulmer served as manager – supplier diversity and business development for Progress Energy (formerly Carolina Power and Light Co.) in Raleigh, North Carolina. Fulmer also chaired Carolina’s Minority Supplier Development Council, served as vice chairman of the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) supplier diversity executive committee and acted as liaison to small businesses.

Before Progress, Fulmer was associated with Niagara Mohawk Power Corp (now known as National Grid)., Syracuse, New York, where he was coordinator of the company’s minority and women business development program and was supervisory buyer for the fossil plants and hydro stations.

Jerry was also active and served on various local, state, regional and national committees that promote minority, women & veteran-owned business development and advocacy.

Fulmer was a member of the EEI supplier diversity executive committee, and was named Chair Emeritus. He was also a member of many MBE/WBE advocacy groups,

such as National Minority Supplier Development Council, North Central Minority Supplier

Development Council, The National Association of Minority Contractors – Wisconsin

Chapter, Chicago Minority Supplier Development Council, African American Chamber

of Commerce – Greater Milwaukee, American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin, Women’s Business Development Center – Chicago and the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. Fulmer also served as Chairperson of the North Central Minority Supplier Development Council and formerly served  as Chairman of the Milwaukee Urban League’s Board of Directors.

Fulmer has received and has been recognized with a number of regional and national awards, including:

  • Illinois Utilities Business Diversity Council’s Jerry Garland Excellence in Supplier Diversity Award
  • Milwaukee Urban League’s Corporate Support Award
  • National Association of Minority Contractors of Wisconsin Golden Shovel Champion Lifetime Achievement Award
  • North Central Minority Supplier Diversity Council’s Supplier Diversity Advocate of the Year Award
  • State of Wisconsin Minority Business Development Community Business

Development Award – In Recognition of Outstanding Contribution

  • Named one of America’s Top 100 Leaders in Corporate Supplier Diversity by Women’s Enterprise USA
  • Named by MBN USA magazine one of the Top 75 Leading Men in Corporate Supplier Diversity
  • Outstanding Contribution to Minority Business Development Award, Wisconsin Department of Commerce
  • Spirit of Commerce Award, Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC)
  • Outstanding Men of Minority Business Development, Minority Business News USA
  • Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Supplier Development Council (WSDC)
  • Supplier Diversity Executive Committee Award, Edison Electric Institute (EEI)
  • Award of Excellence, Wisconsin Supplier Development Council
  • Corporate Diversity Executive of the Year
  • Distinguished Executive Award, The Business Council Inc.

Fulmer earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York