Eleven Florida SBDC Clients & Nominees Selected as 2013 SBA Small Business Week Award Winners

• Small Business Person of the Year
  North Florida District Winner
  Andre Uribe, Power Grid Engineering, LLC, Winter Springs
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of Central Florida, Orlando

• Small Business Exporter of the Year
  Regional, State and North Florida District Winner
  Harry Arnon, Hernon Manufacturing, Inc., Sanford
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of Central Florida
• Woman Owned Small Business Person of the Year
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Elizabeth Burch, Dignitas Technologies, Inc., Orlando
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of Central Florida

  South Florida District Winner
  Lisa Hickey, Douglass Screen Printers, Lakeland
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of South Florida, Tampa

• Minority Owned Small Business Person of the Year
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Eloy Bazaldua, RM Myers Company, Inc., Jacksonville
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

  South Florida District Winner
  John Diaz, Impact Industrial Supplies, Tampa
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of South Florida

• Veteran Owned Small Business Person of the Year
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Lauren Little, Edible Arrangements, Jacksonville
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida

  South Florida District Winner
  Rick Caldwell, RCultures, Miramar
  Client nominated by the SBDC at Palm Beach State College, Boca Raton

• Small Business Advocate of the Year
  North Florida District Winner
  Jaxsmallbizhelp.org, Jacksonville
  Nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida
• Small Business Media Advocate of the Year
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Brian Barquilla, Advantage Business Magazine, Jacksonville
  Nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida

  South Florida District Winner
  Cindy Kent, Business Reporter, Sun Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale
  Nominated by the SBDC at Palm Beach State College

“It’s an honor to recognize these extremely talented small business leaders and champions for their inspiring entrepreneurial spirit,” said Michael Myhre, Interim State Director of the Florida SBDC Network. “These innovative risk takers play a key role in driving job creation and economic growth. We are pleased that the services and support provided to Florida’s small businesses by our SBDC professionals is acknowledged in such a tangible way.”

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of this signature event, National Small Business Week is proclaimed by the President of the United States to recognize the critical contributions of America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. Traditionally held in May, this year the week-long celebration is scheduled to run June 17-21 with events being held in multiple cities from coast-to-coast that are designed to help small businesses start, grow and succeed. The week’s events culminate in Washington, DC, where the national winner will be announced.

Florida SBDCs are also hosting and participating in a variety of events and functions across the state:

• The SBDC at FGCU in Fort Myers will kick off Small Business Week on May 15 with a free SBDC & SBRN Networking and Mini Tradeshow, followed by the 2nd Annual Distinguished Entrepreneur Awards Dinner May 22, and ending the week with a Small Business Appreciation Luncheon in Labelle featuring State Representative Matt Hudson.
• During the week of May 20-23, the SBDC at FAMU is hosting several events, including Imagine Tallahassee’s Community Open House, Breakfast of Champions, Kick-Off Reception, Tallahassee Regional Matchmaker and a Gala.
• The Orlando area Small Business Week winners will be honored at an Awards Luncheon hosted by the SBDC at UCF on May 21 and a Government Business Opportunities and Matchmaking event is scheduled for May 22-23.
• Congressman Steve Southerland is hosting a small business conference, Get to the Point, Sharpen Your Skills, on May 30 in coordination with the SBDC at GCSC in Panama City.
• The SBDC at IRSC is hosting an expo-style Small Business Showcase and Luncheon in Fort Pierce on June 20.
• The SBDC at UNF in Jacksonville hosted its 21st Annual Small Business Week Celebration on April 30 honoring North Florida’s small business leaders, champions and top lenders and featured a keynote by Dan Heath, best-selling author of Made to Stick & Switch.

Visit your local SBDC website periodically for updated and additional event information.

About the FSBDC Network

For over 35 years, the FSBDC 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. A statewide service network of 39 centers with 65 outreach locations, the FSBDC Network 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. To learn more about the FSBDC Network or to find a SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.

In 2011, the Florida SBDCs served approximately 38,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting, training and information, resulting in 43,856 jobs created, retained and saved; $6 billion in sales growth; $98.1 million in capital accessed; $426.2 million in government contract awards; and 1,067 new businesses started.