Media is invited to join the U.S. Small Business Administration’s West Virginia District Office to celebrate National Small Business Week during an Awards Luncheon Wednesday, May 4, in Fairmont, at the Robert H. Mollohan Research Center.
Each year since 1963, the president has issued a proclamation calling for the celebration of National Small Business Week. This is an important time when we honor our nation’s 28 million small businesses and renew our commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit that is central to small business success.
SBA’s West Virginia District Director Karen Friel is joined by West Virginia Department of Commerce Secretary, Keith Burdette; Congressman David McKinley; Senator Shelley Moore Capito; and Keynote Speaker Jon Hammock – President and CEO of Keylogic.
This is the second year a West Virginia small business receives a National award. All district award winners and Diane Lewis Jackson, President and CEO of Action Facilities Management the National 8(a) Graduate of the Year received awards during the event.
AGENDA
11:30 a.m.: Press Opportunity w/ Winners
12:00 p.m.: Karen Friel, SBA West Virginia District Director
12:10 p.m.: Buffet Lunch
12:40 p.m.: Keith Burdette, West Virginia Department of Commerce Secretary/
West Virginia Development Office Executive Director
12:45 p.m.: David McKinley, Congressman – 1st District
12:50 p.m.: Video Remarks – Joe Manchin, United States Senator
12:55 p.m.: Shelley Moore Capito, United States Senator
01:00 p.m.: Keynote Speaker – Jon Hammock, Keylogic
01:15 p.m.: Nick Ferrell, WBOY News Reporter and Emcee
01:20 p.m.: Awards
02:30 p.m.: Closing
2016 Award Winners include:
WV 8(a) Graduate of the Year (National Winner)
Diane Lewis Jackson – Action Facilities Management
Morgantown, WV
Nominated by: James Merrill, Action Facilities Management Inc.
WV Small Business Person of the Year
Arria Hines – Allegheny Science & Technology Corp.
Bridgeport, WV 26554
Nominated by: Deana Dean, i-79 Development Council
WV Exporter of the Year
Scott Hedges – Power Sonix, Inc.
Martinsburg, WV
Nominated by: Matthew Coffey, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Family-Owned Small Business of the Year
Doug Kreinik – Kreinik Manufacturing Company
Parkersburg, WV
Nominated by: Marsa Myers, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Young Entrepreneur of the Year
Nesha Ashok Sanghavi – University Girls
Charleston, WV
Nominated by: Sam Payne, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Encore Entrepreneur of the Year
Ralph and Amelia Garcia – Garcia’s Latin Market
Morgantown, WV
Nominated by: Sharon Stratton, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year
Francisco Guerrero – El Rey Mexican Restaurant
Fairmont, WV
Nominated by: Susannah Higgins, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year
Lisa Levendosky Fritsch – Agile5 Technologies, Inc.
Fairmont, WV
Nominated by: Shannon Proud, Agile 5 Technologies Inc.
WV Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year
Douglas Edward Tate – Alpha Technologies
Scott Depot, WV
Nominated by: Terry Cyfers, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Small Business Champion of the Year
Jens Kiel – Made in Germany
South Charleston, WV
Nominated by: Terry Cyfers, WV Small Business Development Center
WV Director’s Choice Award (to be announced at event)
Tina Shaw – Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Fairmont, WV
West Virginia Lender of the Year
Huntington National Bank
Approved 56 SBA-guaranteed loans worth more than $4.4 million
West Virginia Community Bank of the Year
MVB Bank
Approved 11 SBA-guaranteed loans totaling more than $3.6 million
West Virginia Microlender of the Year
First Microloan of West Virginia
Approved 11 SBA-guaranteed loans for $394,000.
All winners and many speakers will be located in Room 250 and available for interviews from 11:30 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. (as the packed program starts promptly at 12:00 noon). This is the best time to conduct press. If you would like to schedule an interview outside of this timeframe please contact Nikki Bowmar at nikki.bowmar@sba.gov or 304-623-7445.
The Robert H. Mollohan Research Center is located at 1000 Galliher Dr., Fairmont, WV 26554.
