Florida SBDC Network State Office (Pensacola, Fla.) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network, the state’s principal provider of small business assistance, is pleased to announce that 10 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.
"We are extremely proud to acknowledge the remarkable achievements of some of our exceptional clients, partners, and supporters," said Greg Britton, state director of the Florida SBDC Network. "The National Small Business Week Awards are among the most prestigious in the nation, and we are honored to have so many of our clients and advocates recognized for their significant contributions to the local and state economy.”
Clients and partners of the Florida SBDC Network recognized as state and district-level award winners are:
Small Business Person of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District
Yanet Herrero, Kings Service Solutions
Client of the Florida SBDC at UCF
South Florida District
Robert F. English, Valiant Products, LLC
Client of the Florida SBDC at USF
Small Business Advocate of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District
Valerie Jenkins, Wells Fargo
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at UWF
South Florida District
Daniela Jean, Commissioner, City of North Miami Beach
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at FIU
Minority Business Owner of the Year
State of Florida and South Florida District
Janelle Miley, Global Strategies, LLC
Client of the Florida SBDC at FGCU
North Florida District
Naresh Manek, Worldwide Sportswear
Client of the Florida SBDC at UCF
Small Business Development Center of the Year
South Florida District
Florida SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University
Veteran Business Owner of the Year
North Florida District
Mr. George Birnbaum, CEO/Founder, Gemstone Media Inc.
Client of the Florida SBDC at UNF
Community Partner of the Year
South Florida District
Fabiana Estrada, Ascendus
Nominated by the Florida SBDC at FIU
Woman Business Owner of the Year
South Florida District
Lizbeth Walker, Qwalifize, LLC
Client of the Florida SBDC at UCF
National Small Business Week runs April 28 - May 4, 2024. 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. To learn more about National Small Business Week, please visit www.sba.gov/nsbw.
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