Judy McCauley, district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) West Virginia District Office, would like to invite the State of West Virginia to join her as she recognizes the best of the best in small business.
West Virginia SBA Small Business Week award winners will be honored during a dinner on Wednesday, May 29, 6 p.m. at the Erickson Alumni Center in conjunction with the 2013 Teaming to Win Conference. McCauley invites everyone to join her in recognizing these small business leaders. Registration is required and can be completed online at www.teamingtowin.org.
This celebration comes as part of a proclamation issued by the President of the United States every year since 1963. The celebration is a time to recognize the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. West Virginia is proud to celebrate the following award winners:
§ Small Business Person of the Year – Diane Lewis, president and CEO, Action Facilities Management, Inc., Monongalia County
Founded in 2001, followed by incorporation in 2003, Action Facilities Management, Inc.(AFM) specializes in providing a full spectrum of site management services including security, facilities maintenance, project management, equipment operations, consulting, training and staffing solutions. Because of the pervasive corporate culture, which starts with Lewis and extends throughout the entire AFM organization, the company has grown from an initial two employees in 2001 to the current on-board strength of 275+ personnel providing government and commercial contract services to more than 20 clients in 11 states and the District of Columbia.
- Small Business Exporter of the Year – Tim Warden, president, Engart Inc., Raleigh County
Engart Inc. is a highly specialized company that designs, manufactures and supplies wet dust extraction systems for mining, utility and heavy process industries. The company utilizes its unique technology to eliminate the fire and explosion risk associated with collecting fugitive combustible dust that is generated during the material handling process. Engart ventilation and air cleaning technology provides a method for its customers to improve the environmental operating conditions of its employees, while maintaining regulatory compliance of its air quality emissions. Engart started in January 2003 and is headquartered in Beckley, WV, with a production facility in Bluefield, WV. Although Engart is a relatively small privately held company, it has expanded its geographic market to set up distributors in Canada. Engart also has an established market presence in South Korea, Mexico and Columbia and has gained recognition for providing quality technical expertise and machinery to the industries that it serves.
- Family-Owned Business of the Year: Jonathan Bellingham, marketing manager, Capon Springs and Farms, Inc., Hampshire County
Capon Springs and Farms have operated as a family owned business since 1932, when grandfather Lou Austin purchased the property for its spring waters, and celebrated 80 years in business in 2012. The business is managed by a leadership structure that includes a general manager and fourth-generation Jonathan Bellingham, who is the marketing manager. Together they are working to continue the tradition where family and friends enjoy home cooked meals, outdoor fun and lasting friendships. Located on 4700 acres of green forested mountains in Hampshire County, the property includes 90 guest rooms in a dozen lodges. Employing 125 local persons, the business is open from April through October each year. The business location lends itself to providing a variety of recreational activities.
- Home-Based Business Champion: Mathew Thomas, Thomas | Work, Gilmore County
Thomas | Work is a small home-based business owned by Matt Thomas. Launched in 2002, Thomas’ focus is on creating beautifully finished pieces that combine metal and wood. Thomas blends three styles, which include traditional, contemporary and hybrid inspiration among metal and wood. Thomas | Work is most known for its small furniture items, serving dishes and accessories. Thomas attended the prestigious 2012 Buyers Market of American Craft Conference as part of the Tamarack Foundation’s Rural to Urban Markets Program. As a result of the show, he picked up 59 new retailers.
- Minority Small Business Champion: Christina Lundberg, business coach, Small Business Development Center, Berkeley County
Christina Lundberg, center manager at the Small Business Development Center in the Eastern Panhandle, is a tremendous advocate for small businesses—especially for minority small businesses. Lundberg has an impressive list of accomplishments that go on for pages. A few include securing funding for multicultural events and publications and producing the 2012 Eastern Panhandle Multicultural Business Directory, which includes local businesses (Black, Hispanic, Asian and Native American); organizing expos and workshops; co-chairing the Berkley County Diversity Committee, Berkley County Public Schools and co-chairing the economic development committee of Berkley Martinsburg Chapter of the NAACP.
West Virginia’s top small business SBA lenders will also be recognized during the celebration. The West Virginia 2012 Community Bank of the Year is The First State Bank in Barboursville,
which approved 31 SBA-guaranteed loans in West Virginia totaling just more than $18.1 million. The West Virginia 2012 Lender of the Year is Huntington National Bank, which approved 52 SBA-guaranteed loans for more than $9.9 million.
