L-R: Jerry Silberman CEO and Founder, Corporate
Turnaround, sponsor, ASBDC State Star Reception;
Francisco A. Marrero, District Director, U.S. Small
Business Administration; Jerry Cartwright, Chair,
ASBDC 2009 Board of Directors and State Director,
Florida SBDC Network; Mario Iezonni, Florida SBDC
Network 2009 State Star; and Antonio Doss,
Associate Administrator for the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) Office of Small Business
Development Centers
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Pensacola, FL: Mario Iezzoni, Certified Business Analyst at the SBDC at the University of South Florida (SBDC at USF) in Tampa, was recognized as Florida’s Star at a special reception and banquet held in conjunction with the National Association of SBDC’s 29th Annual Conference in September in Orlando, Florida.
The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (FSBDCN) selected Iezzoni as the Florida Star for the excellence he has shown and the outstanding contributions he has made to the overall SBDC program in new and innovative program development, creative special projects, enhanced center performance and client impact. In his 7 years of service to the SBDC at USF, Mario has helped his clients create 694 jobs; start 198 businesses; increase sales by $23.7 million; form $12.9 million in capital; and obtain $2.6 million in contract awards.
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"It is an honor to accept this award," said Iezzoni, "and to have the opportunity to help so many people achieve the dream of starting and succeeding in their own business."
Iezzoni has helped thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners start and grow businesses in the Tampa region in the last 7 years. Consistently going above and beyond his normal responsibilities at the SBDC, Iezzoni has been closely involved with the creation of the SBDC at USF’s Healthcare Practice Industry Center of Excellence; participated on the Florida SBDC Network's Strategic Planning Team; functions as a Disaster Recovery First Responder for the Network; serves as a FastTrac Facilitator; and served on a national forum to provide user input and advice for Intuit QuickBooks’ products.
"I am extremely pleased to recognize Mario Iezzoni as our 2009 Florida Star," said Jerry Cartwright, State Director of the Florida SBDC Network. "He exemplifies the SBDC program's guiding principles of service excellence, productivity and continuous improvement, excellence in reputation, recognition and respect for all employees and clients, and honesty and integrity. We’re proud of this dedicated professional who ensures that entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the best information and assistance possible to contribute to their success."
The Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network of 35 centers, 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. For over 30 years, the Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations and has been dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. To learn more about the Florida SBDC Network or to find an SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.
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