FSBDCN State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) – The Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance, is pleased to announce that nine small business clients and nominees from across the state have won awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for their outstanding performance, advocacy, and economic contributions.
“National Small Business Week is a chance to honor the more than 2.3 million small businesses in Florida who have helped drive down one of the nation’s highest unemployment rates to one of the best we enjoy today,” said Michael Myhre, Florida SBDC CEO and Network State Director. “Congratulations to this year’s SBA Small Business Week Award winners. This honor serves as a testament to their hard work, efforts, and dedication to their local, regional, and state economies.”
As part of National Small Business Week, the SBA annually recognizes small business owners, entrepreneurs, and advocates from all 50 states and U.S. territories. Clients and nominees of the Florida SBDC Network recognized as national, state, and district level award winners include:
National Exporter of the Year
National, State of Florida, and North Florida District Winner
David P. Bello Sr., CEO; John Hartnett, Vice President, Global Business Development; and David A. Bello Jr., General Manager/VP;
Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc. – Newberry
Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District Winner
Peter Wilking, President of A1A Solar Contracting, Inc. – Jacksonville
South Florida District Winner
Brian Butler, President of Vistra Communications, LLC. - Tampa
Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District Winner
Sarah Blake, President of Elipsis Engineering & Consulting – Winter Garden
South Florida District Winner
Tailleen Arias, President of the Doral Conservatory & School of the Arts - Doral
Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
State of Florida and South Florida District Winner
Francisco Semsch, President of FSA, Inc. - Tampa
North Florida District Winner
Gabriel Ruiz, LTC, USA (Ret.), President and CEO, Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. – Winter Springs
Small Business Financial Advocate of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District Winner
Kristen Tackett, Vice President of Business Services, Florida First Capital Finance Corporation - Jacksonville
Small Business Person of the Year
North Florida District Winner
Sunil Tarneja, President of C.T. Windows, Inc. d/b/a Architectural Aluminum Techniques – Orlando
For more than 50 years, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week to celebrate and recognize the achievements of entrepreneurs and innovators across the county.
National Small Business Week will occur May 1-7, with national events planned in Washington, D.C., New York City, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, San Jose and Oakland. National Exporter of the Year and Florida SBDC at the University of North Florida (UNF) client Endoscopy Replacement Parts will join other national award winners from across the country at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. May 1-2.
Florida SBDCs are hosting a number of special events across the state to honor winners:
- The Florida SBDC at UNF will honor Jacksonville-area winners at the 24th Annual Small Business Celebration May 5 at UNF’s Herbert University Center.
- The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida will honor Tampa-area winners at its 29th Annual Government Small Business Conference May 5 at the Holiday Inn Tampa Westshore.
- The Florida SBDC at Indian River State College (IRSC) will host its 4th Annual Entrepreneurship & Small Business Conference May 5 at the IRSC Main Campus.
- The Florida SBDC at the University of Central Florida will honor Orlando-area winners at a special private event at the Citrus Club on May 17.
- The Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University will host its 5th Annual Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida Awards Dinner May 18 at Harborside Event Center.
