Judge Berry noted that Johnson, who is Black, remained deeply involved in the daily operations of Piston Group and held ultimate decision-making authority, meeting the necessary criteria for managerial control under the minority-owned business certification standards.
The ruling also addressed the significant impact that losing the minority-owned certification could have had on Piston Group’s business relationships with major automakers that prioritize supplier diversity.
The MMSDC has announced its intention to challenge the ruling, expressing strong disagreement with the court’s findings and voicing concerns that the decision could lead to ambiguity in the certification process for other minority businesses.
Piston Group, which had maintained its minority-owned status through a preliminary injunction since May 2021, celebrated the ruling as a complete vindication of its position. The court also ordered the MMSDC to cover Piston Group’s legal costs associated with the litigation.
