The Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance, is pleased to announce that ten small business clients and nominees have won awards for their outstanding performance, advocacy, and economic contributions from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of National Small Business Week.
“Congratulations to our clients and advocates on winning National Small Business Week awards,” said Michael W. Myhre, Florida SBDC CEO and Network State Director. “National Small Business Week is a chance to celebrate the ingenuity, spirit, and hard work of Florida’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and supporters. We are thrilled to recognize our Florida winners and all entrepreneurs and small business owners in our state for all they do to create jobs and grow our economy.”
Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing National Small Business Week, which recognizes the critical contributions of the country’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. 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 regional, state, and district-level award winners include:
North Florida District, State of Florida, and Region IV 8(a) Graduate of the Year
Andrew “Andy” Harold, President, A. Harold and Associates, Jacksonville, Fla.
Client of the Florida SBDC at UNF
North Florida District Small Business Person of the Year
Gabriel Ruiz, LTC, USA (Ret); President, Advanced IT Concepts, Winter Springs, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at UCF
North Florida District and State of Florida Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
Sheryl Page, President/CEO, Page One Consultants, Inc., Orlando, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at UCF
South Florida District and State of Florida Exporter of the Year
David Rosen, CEO and Founder, Kira Labs, Inc., Pompano Beach, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at Fort Lauderdale
North Florida District and State of Florida Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
Hanan Hamed-Furqan, President/CEO, THREEZ Company, LLC, Jacksonville, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at UNF
South Florida District Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
Juan Perez, Owner, All Star Carpet and Tiles of the Treasure Coast, Port Saint Lucie, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at IRSC
South Florida District and State of Florida Veteran-Owned Business of the Year
Edward Haynes, President, Haynes Security, Miami, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at FIU
South Florida District and State of Florida Small Business Advocate of the Year
Marjorie Weber, Business Consultant, Florida SBDC at FIU, Miami, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at FIU
South Florida District and State of Florida Small Business Financial Advocate of the Year
Debra Salas, Vice President/Small Business Program Director, Neighborhood Lending Partners, Coral Gables, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at FIU
South Florida District and State of Florida Small Business Media Advocate of the Year
Nancy Dahlberg, Business Reporter for The Miami Herald, Miami, Fla.
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at FIU
National Small Business Week takes place May 1-5, with national events planned in Washington, D.C., New York City, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Fresno, Calif. The Florida SBDC Network will join the national celebration to honor winners and showcase the role Florida's more than 2.4 million small businesses play in the state's economy by hosting a number of workshops, seminars and special events during the week.
Established in 1976, the Florida SBDC Network has more than 40 offices from Pensacola to Key West. The network provides consulting, training, and research services to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow and succeed. Since 2011, Florida SBDCs have provided 401,475 hours of consulting to 45,502 client businesses, resulting in 217,849 jobs created, retained and saved; $29.3 billion in sales growth; $2.1 billion in government contract awards; $947.4 million in capital investments; and 3,857 new businesses started.
