FSBDCN State Office: Seven Florida SBDC Network clients and nominees from across the state have won awards from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for their outstanding advocacy, performance, and economic contributions to the state.
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 for their efforts in driving job creation and economic growth. The Florida SBDC Network is pleased to recognize the following recipients who are clients and/or nominees of the Florida SBDC at the Regional, State and/or District levels:
Small Business Person of the Year
National Finalist, State of Florida, and South Florida District Winner
Carol Craig, Craig Technologies, Cape Canaveral
Small Business Person of the Year
North Florida District Winner
Sandra Saft, S.Saft and Company dba Window Interiors, Altamonte Springs
Small Business Exporter of the Year
Southeast Region (IV), State of Florida, and North Florida District Winner
Douglas Worswick, Certified Slings, Casselberry
Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
North Florida District Winner
Jeff Rawls, Synergy Fabrications, Palatka
Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
North Florida District Winner
Margarita U. Howard, HX5, Fort Walton Beach
Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District Winner
Printella Bankhead, EBS Security, Inc., Jacksonville
Financial Advocate of the Year
State of Florida and North Florida District Winner
David Marovich, Vice President of Business, 121 Financial Credit Union, Jacksonville
“Small business owners are the driving force of our economy,” said Michael Myhre, CEO and Network State Director for the Florida SBDC. “It’s an honor to recognize the achievements of these small business owners and advocates. These leaders play a key role in building our economy – helping our state and nation move forward.”
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 and dedication of the nation’s entrepreneurs and innovators. This year’s celebration kicks off today in Miami and will continue the rest of the week with events being held across the country. National Small Business Week will conclude in Washington, D.C. on May 8th. Florida SBDC client Carol Craig will join five other Small Business Person of the Year finalists from across the country at a special ceremony in which one winner will be selected as the 2015 National Small Business Person of the Year.
Florida SBDCs are hosting a number of events and functions across the state to honor winners and to help small businesses grow and succeed.
- The FSBDC at USF will host its 28th Annual Government Small Business Conference on May 6. The conference will feature a half-day Business Opportunity Expo, in conjunction with a full day of seminars and keynote address by Congressman Gus Bilirakis.
- The FSBDC at UCF will honor Orlando-area Small Business Week winners at a special private event on May 19 at the Citrus Club, and on May 27-28 they are hosting its annual Government Matchmaking event.
- The FSBDC at FGCU will host the 4th Annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Award on May 19 in Bonita Springs (www.fsbdcswfl.org), and on May 6 they will co-host with Alliance Financial Group, The Spring Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Conference in Fort Myers (http://girlsgoingplaces-afg.com).
- The FSBDC at UNF in Jacksonville will host its 23rd Annual Small Business Week Celebration on May 28 to honor North Florida’s small business leaders, lenders and supporters. The event will feature a keynote by Lisa Nicole Bell, founder and CEO of Inspired Life Media Group based out of Los Angeles, CA. Event information can be found at sbdc.unf.edu.
