Jethro Joseph Named 'Minority Business Enterprise Coordinator of the Year' by the National Minority Supplier Development Council

* 2005 Minority Business Enterprise Coordinator of the Year honors Jethro

Joseph, DaimlerChrysler Senior Manager - Diversity Supplier Development * Joseph recognized for dedication and contributions to minority business

advancement

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 31 -- Jethro Joseph, DaimlerChrysler Senior Manager - Diversity Supplier Development, was honored as the National Minority Supplier Development Council's (NMSDC) Minority Business Enterprise Coordinator of the Year, presented during the NMSDC's Conference on Oct. 26 in Dallas. Joseph was recognized for his dedication and contributions to minority business advancement.

"We are proud of the external appreciation for Jethro's accomplishments within DaimlerChrysler's Diversity Supplier Development department," said Peter Rosenfeld, Executive Vice President - Procurement & Supply, Chrysler Group. "It is a great honor for DaimlerChrysler that Jethro has been recognized for his contributions in minority business advancement with the highest professional honor in the field of corporate supplier diversity."

Criteria for the prestigious NMSDC award include enhancing the company's minority supplier development program, both internally and externally, as well as improving supplier-sourcing methods and corporate-wide purchasing opportunities. Only national coordinators of member corporations' minority supplier development programs are eligible.

Joseph was also presented the Advocate Award from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth Minority Business Executive Program for his commitment and contributions to the minority business community at the 2005 NMSDC Conference in Dallas.

Joseph has been in his current position at DaimlerChrysler since 1996, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, Diversity Information Resources, Michigan Minority Business Development Council, The Business Consortium Fund, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Native American Business Alliance, DaimlerChrysler's African American Network, Morris Brown College National Alumni Association and Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. He is also a member of the National Association of Purchasing Managers, Michigan Association of CPA and Detroit Inter Alumni Council -- United Negro College Fund. Joseph was honored as the Minority Business Enterprise Coordinator of the Year by the National Minority Supplier Development Council in 2000.

At DaimlerChrysler, Joseph's duties include identifying qualified minority suppliers, developing existing minority suppliers, verifying credentials and expanding the number of DaimlerChrysler minority suppliers. In addition, Joseph oversees minority sub-contracting with Tier One suppliers, monitors progress toward annual minority supplier participation goals, provides minority supplier access to the DaimlerChrysler procurement and supply community and monitors second tier participation and relationships with the community.

About NMSDC

Providing a direct link between corporate America and minority-owned businesses is the primary objective of the National Minority Supplier Development Council, one of the country's leading business membership organizations. It was chartered in 1972 to provide increased procurement and business opportunities for minority businesses of all sizes. For more information regarding NMSDC, please visit their website at http://www.nmsdc.org/ .