ST. LOUIS, MO The top executive officers at Kadilex Construction, Inc. and Brandt Contracting, Inc. have been awarded business development scholarships by Ameren Corporation to attend the Minority Business Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. The two minority-owned businesses selected are headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, and Wood River, Illinois.

"Providing resources for growth and opportunities to businesses owned by minorities, women, and veterans strengthens our company and our community," said Dennis Weisenborn, Chief Procurement Officer and Vice President of Safety and Supply Services at Ameren. "We are proud to offer these scholarships as we continue to help develop, partner and invest in our diverse suppliers."

The recipients were chosen based on their strategic relationship with Ameren and the supplier's success in providing service to companies in Ameren's 64,000-square-mile service territory.

"The biggest challenge diverse business owners face is having the executive expertise to develop a profitable and sustainable strategy that works for them and their customers," said Dr. Fred McKinney, Managing Director of Minority Business Programs at the Tuck School. "Executive leadership and strategic development is what diverse business owners receive when they come to the Tuck School of Business Minority Business Programs. Our participants leave well-prepared to address the capital, growth and internal challenges all businesses face."

The 2016 scholarship recipients are:

Karl Jefferson Jr., President, Kadilex Construction, Inc. Kadilex Construction, Inc. furnishes and installs reinforcement bars in a wide variety of structures. The company recently completed rebar work on parts of the Illinois Rivers Transmission project and work at the Meramec and Labadie energy centers in concert with Plocher Construction. Kadilex Construction, Inc. is a minority-owned business enterprise (MBE).

"I'm honored to receive this scholarship," said Jefferson. "Ameren is a tremendous partner and has helped to build my business, which has led to greater opportunities for Kadilex and its employees."

Sedrick Brandt, President, Brandt Contracting, Inc. Brandt Contracting, Inc. specializes in site excavation, structural excavation, site grading and clearing for general, mechanical, electrical and plumbing contractors. The company has provided excavation work for Illinois transmission line projects with McGrath & Associates. Brandt Contracting, Inc. is a minority- and veteran-owned business enterprise.

"I am grateful for the scholarship and the opportunity to work with Ameren," Brandt said. "Ameren's efforts to seek out diverse suppliers helps to even the playing field and provide opportunity for many diverse-owned businesses."

Since 2009, Ameren has awarded 17 business scholarships to diverse-owned businesses. In addition, each year the company invites hundreds of entrepreneurs and diverse businesses to attend symposiums and summits where participants can network and learn about Ameren's procurement opportunities. In 2015, Ameren awarded contracts to more than 300 businesses owned by minorities, women and veterans. The company finished 2015 with $305 million in total diversity spending.

"Our commitment to diverse-owned businesses reflects our belief that Diverse Supplier partnerships are vital to the economic success of our region," said Mark Brandt, Senior Director of Supply Services at Ameren. "Providing access and development opportunities for diverse-owned businesses in our supply chain leads to long-term powerful partnerships."