The NCUA increased the total dollars it awarded to minority- andwomen-owned businesses by 49% in 2014, which represented 29% of theagency's total award dollars during the year, according to a reportreleased on Wednesday.

While the number of minorities at the NCUA has increased by 1.1%since 2011, the agency's workforce diversity levels droppedslightly in 2014. Minorities represented 26.8% of the agency'sworkforce in 2013 and 26.3% in 2014.

“While we are pleased that we have increased the number ofminorities in our workforce, we still have work to do to achieveour strategic goal of recruiting and retaining a well-diversifiedworkforce that reflects the relevant labor force,” NCUA BoardChairman Debbie Matz said. “Following our Annual Diversity PolicyStatement, NCUA leadership and management will continue to make aconcerted effort to hire, promote, develop and train a highlyqualified and diverse workforce.”

According to the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion reportto Congress, the NCUA awarded $12.4 million to businesses owned byminorities and women in 2014, compared to $8.3 million in theprevious year. The report said participation in moretechnology-related contracts contributed to most of the agency'ssupplier diversity gains.

“Updates in agency systems and processes, along with OMWI'sdirect support to identify and refer minority- and women-ownedbusinesses to participate in the agency's procurement process, havebeen essential elements in expanding the agency's supplierdiversity gains,” the report said.

The report to Congress is required under the Dodd-Frank WallStreet Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which President Obamasigned into law in 2010. The agency's OMWI office was created inJanuary 2011 to measure and monitor the agency's policies fordiversity. The office also measures the diversity policies andpractices of the NCUA's regulated entities. According to the NCUA,the office does not enforce statutes, regulations and executiveorders that relate to civil rights.

Matz said the progress made in 2014 demonstrates theeffectiveness of the policies and procedures the NCUA has put inplace to advance its supplier diversity program and goals.

“A diverse supplier base is a sound business policy,” she said.“It helps the agency use its resources efficiently, allowing NCUAto better serve federally insured credit unions and theirmembers.”

The NCUA is currently seeking a new director for the OMWIoffice, according to USAJobs.gov. The position pays between $183,218 and $240,000 per year, and thejob description mentions that the NCUA has been selected as the 7thbest place to work in the federal government, compared to similarlysized organizations.

“As the director, Office of Minority and Women Inclusion, youwill be responsible for all matters of NCUA relating to theoversight and execution of national and regional equal employmentopportunity operations and other programs pertaining to EEOC andNCUA policies,” the description read. “This position willprovide leadership on all matters of NCUA relating to diversity inmanagement, employment and business activities.”