Nine Florida SBDC Network Clients & Nominees Selected as
2012 SBA Small Business Week Award Recipients

Pensacola, FL: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) annually celebrates the spirit of business leaders and champions for their dedication, achievements and contributions to the economic prosperity of our nation. The Florida Small Business Development Center Network (Florida SBDC Network) is pleased to recognize nine of the 2012 SBA Small Business Week award recipients announced by the North and South Florida SBA District Offices who are clients and/or nominees from the Florida SBDCs and won at the Regional, State and District levels.

• Small Business Person of the Year
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Ann Sabbag, Health Designs, Inc., Ponte Vedra Beach
  Client nominated by the FSBDC/PTAC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville
  
  South Florida District Winner
  Sara E. Moola & Robert M. Vaughn, Visual Awareness Technologies & Consulting, Inc., Tampa
  Client of the FSBDC/PTAC at the University of South Florida, Tampa

• Women in Business Champion of the Year
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Dr. Kerry Giedd, Eola Eyes, Orlando
  Client nominated by the FSBDC at the University of Central Florida, Orlando

• Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
  Regional, State and North Florida District Winner
  Charles Armstrong, Florida Financial Group, Jacksonville
  Client of the FSBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville
  
  South Florida District Winner
  Giovanni Suarez, National Information Assurance Corp., Largo
  Client nominated by the FSBDC/PTAC at the University of South Florida, Tampa
  

• Small Business Exporter of the Year
  Regional, State and North Florida District Winner
  Ronald Rose, Nova Pressroom Products, LLC, Jacksonville
  Client nominated by the FSBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville
  
  
• Entrepreneurial Success Award
  Regional, State and North Florida District Winner
  Neal Kimball, The Kimball Companies, LLC, Orlando
  Client nominated by the FSBDC at the University of Central Florida, Orlando

• Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
  Regional, State and South Florida District Winner
  Julius D. Davis & Jorge L. Rivera, VoltAir Consulting Engineers, Tampa
  Client nominated by the FSBDC/PTAC at the University of South Florida, Tampa
  

• Financial Services Champion of the Year Award
  State and North Florida District Winner
  Joanne Jolin, Atlantic Coast Bank, Orlando
  Nominated by the FSBDC at the University of Central Florida, Orlando
  

“We are extremely proud to recognize these outstanding business leaders and champions,” said Jerry Cartwright, State Director of the Florida SBDC Network. “The Florida SBDC Network salutes the crucial role small business plays in strengthening and supporting economic growth and job creation. We are pleased that the comprehensive technical assistance provided to Florida’s small business community by our SBDC professionals is being acknowledged in such a public and tangible way.”

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the importance of America’s small businesses. This year it is May 20-26 and the national winners will be recognized at a prestigious event in Washington, DC. During the month of May, Florida SBDCs are hosting and participating in a variety of events and functions statewide to celebrate small business. The SBDC at UNF in Jacksonville is hosting its 20th Annual Small Business Week Celebration honoring North Florida's small business leaders, champions and top lenders. The SBDC at USF in Tampa is presenting a Small Business Growth Conference series where participants learn the strategies and tools necessary for growing the business. The SBDC at FGCU in Fort Myers is hosting several events including a SBDC & SBRN Mini Tradeshow and Networking event, an Awards Dinner and a Small Business Appreciation Luncheon. Visit your local SBDC website periodically for updated event information.

For over 35 years, the Florida SBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing aspiring and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. In 2011, Florida SBDCs helped its clients acquire $97 million in capital for business formation and expansion; create/retain 16,914 jobs; enjoy sales revenue growth worth $318 million; open 1,026 businesses; and win government contract awards worth $314 million. To learn more about the Florida SBDC Network or to find a SBDC near you, visit www.FloridaSBDC.org or call 1.866.737.7232.

The Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network of 39 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.

State Office l UWF Office of Economic Development & Engagement
11000 University Pkwy, Bldg 38 l Pensacola, FL 32514
866.737.7232 or 850.473.7800 l www.FloridaSBDC.org