Performance Excellence Contributes to
Business & Economic Prosperity
Pensacola, FL: On June 27, approximately two hundred Florida Small Business Development Center Network members and conference attendees gathered to recognize and thank colleagues, volunteers and partners who contributed above the norm in the success of the FSBDC's mission to help businesses grow and succeed, create positive impact for the economy, and provide value to its stakeholders. The awards were presented by State Director Jerry Cartwright and Associate State Director Cheryl Kirby at a special celebration held during its Annual Professional Development Conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
"I'm extremely pleased to recognize this year's outstanding performers and service year recipients," said Cartwright. "We're very proud of these dedicated individuals who ensure that Florida's entrepreneurs and business owners receive the best technical assistance along with critical information that contributes to their growth and prosperity."
State Awards |
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The Florida Star of the Year, Tony Espinosa, Procurement Specialist at the FSBDC at the University of Central Florida's Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), was selected as the employee whose contributions were exemplary for new program development, innovative special projects, client impact and overall Network performance. In 2011, Espinosa's remarkable performance resulted in $28.9 million in contract awards to local businesses, culminating in a four-year total of over $149.9 million. During the past four years he has provided 3,546 hours of consulting services to over 800 clients and 261 hours in training events attended by 2,360 participants. Espinosa will also be recognized in September as the national Association of SBDC's State Star for Florida at a special event during its annual conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. |
| The following regional nominees made the greatest contribution to their region and were recognized and awarded the state level award for each category. |
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The Florida Volunteer of the Year is Anthony Ruben, nominated by the FSBDC at UCF in Orlando. Ruben is the Managing Director of Inflection Point Consulting in Orlando. He has been a member of the FSBDC at UCF’s Advisory Board Council (ABC) Program since 2004 and has served on the boards of seven companies since joining the ABC, donating 80 hours of professional board service. Ruben has advised his ABC clients on issues including acquisitions, pricing strategy, commission structure, margin improvement, cash flow projections and more.
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The Florida Certified Business Analyst (CBA) of the Year is Janet Etheridge, CBA with the FSBDC at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. In 2011, Etheridge provided consulting to 668 clients who generated considerable economic impact: 165 jobs created and saved; $1.6 million in loans; $4.7 million in capital formation; 79 business start ups; and $1.4 million in sales growth. |
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The Florida Employee of the Year is Jessica Summers, Marketing Specialist with the FSBDC at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Since joining the SBDC in January 2011, Summers has energized the FSBDC at USF's outbound marketing by recognizing and seizing publicity opportunities to further relationships with local stakeholders; creating targeted email campaigns with interesting content and graphics; implementing high quality campaigns for special events; and developing a social media strategy for the FSBDC at USF.
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Regional Awards
Regional Outstanding Resource Partners, recognized for outstanding contributions to the regional FSBDC with respect to advocacy, financial support, partnership building and/or advising, are Greater Navarre Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, nominated by the FSBDC at UWF, Pensacola; Larry Bernaski of Enterprise Florida, Inc., FSBDC at UNF, Jacksonville; Mayor Teresa Jacobs, FSBDC at UCF, Orlando; and Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce, FSBDC at USF, Brooksville.
Regional Volunteers of the Year, recognized for the greatest contribution to the regional FSBDC with respect to advocacy, consulting, training, program development and/or special projects, are Jay Massey of UWF, nominated by the FSBDC at UWF, Pensacola; Barbara Murphy of First Atlantic Bank, FSBDC at UNF, Jacksonville; Anthony Ruben of Inflection Point Consulting, FSBDC at UCF, Orlando; John Schnackel of JS Law, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; and Costco Gulf Coast Town Center, FSBDC at FGCU, Fort Myers.
Regional CBAs of the Year, recognized for demonstrating the greatest enhancement of scope, quality and/or impact of consulting services to the regional FSBDC, are Janet Etheridge, FSBDC at UWF, Pensacola; Brent Peacock, FSBDC/VBOC at GCSC, Lynn Haven; Chris Workman, FSBDC at FAMU, Tallahassee; Marge Cirillo, FSBDC at UNF, St. Augustine; Roger Greenwald, FSBDC at UCF, Orlando; Maria Clara Yepes, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; Harry Looknanan, Jr., FSBDC at FGCU, Fort Myers; Carole Hart, FSBDC/PTAC at PBSC, Boca Raton; and Greg Baumann, FSBDC at FKCC, Key West.
Regional/State Office Employees of the Year, recognized for the greatest contribution to operations and/or special projects of the regional SBDC/State Office, are Kilty Spoke, FSBDC at UWF, Pensacola; John Miller, FSBDC at GCSC, Lynn Haven; Aundra McGlockton, FSBDC at FAMU, Gretna; Marice Hague, FSBDC at UNF, Jacksonville; Theresa Davis, FSBDC at UCF, Leesburg; Jessica Summers, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; Janice Groves, FSBDC at FGCU, Fort Myers; Vicki Storck, FSBDC at IRSC, Fort Pierce; Ginella Ortela, FSBDC Miami-Dade; and Lois Knox, FSBDCN State Office, Pensacola.
View photos
of all FSBDCN Performance Excellence awardees by Clicking Here.
Service Awards
Network members reaching continuous yearly service milestones were also recognized for their dedication and loyalty.
| 20 Years |
Nancy Boyle and Robert Myers, FSBDC at UNF, Jacksonville; Martin Zients, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; Laura Subel, FSBDCN State Office/PTAC, Pensacola
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| 15 Years |
Larry Strain, FSBDC at UWF, Pensacola; Lynne Leitch, FSBDC at UCF, Orlando; Nelson Reyes, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; Priscilla Grant, FSBDC at CFDC/Polk County, Bartow; Suzanne Specht, FSBDC at FGCU, Fort Myers
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| 10 Years |
Sharon Triplett, FSBDC at UWF, Fort Walton Beach; Kevin Monahan, FSBDC at UNF, Jacksonville; Adrienne Darby, FSBDC at CFDC/Polk County, Bartow; Charlene Bostic, FSBDC/PTAC at USF, Tampa; Mario Iezzoni, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; Gary Cole, FSBDC in Broward
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| 5 Years |
Tony Espinosa, FSBDC/PTAC at UCF, Orlando; Roger Greenwald FSBDC at UCF, Orlando; Bill McKown, Maria Clara Yepes, and Daniel Scott, FSBDC at USF, Tampa; Linda Baxter, FSBDC at SCF, Venice; Lorna Kibbey, FSBDC at FGCU, Fort Myers; James Gray, Jamie Hardy, Paymon Shokoohi and Bobby Morgan, FSBDCN State Office, Pensacola |
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For over 35 years, the Florida SBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. In 2011, Florida SBDCs helped its clients acquire $96.6 million in capital for business formation and expansion; create/retain 16,914 jobs; enjoy sales revenue growth worth $317.9 million; open 1,026 businesses; and win government contract awards worth $313.9 million. To learn more about the Florida SBDC Network or to find a SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.
The Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network of 39 centers, is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, hosted by the University of West Florida and accredited through the national Association of SBDCs.
Proudly Recognizing Our
2012 Professional Development Conference
Sponsor & Partner in Business
State Office l UWF Office of Economic Development & Engagement
11000 University Pkwy, Bldg 38 l Pensacola, FL 32514
866.737.7232 or 850.473.7800 l www.FloridaSBDC.org
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