Members of Maryland's small business community were honored this month during the Maryland Small Business Week Awards Program. Held at Martin's West in Woodlawn, the program celebrated its31st year by highlighting the importance of small business to the local economy and across the nation.
"We hope that you'll be inspired by our winners and that you'll gain a special appreciation for the people that nurture and support small business owners across our great state," said Ed Podowski, MDSBWAP Chairman, at the ceremony.
DBED's own Victor Clark, Program Manager for Small Business Resources, was awarded the District Director's Unsung Hero Award at this year's event. Victor has advocated for small business owners across Maryland for over 35 years. An active member of the business community, Victor was called "a master networker, a true friend of small business and the answer to many an entrepreneurs prayers." To contact Victor Clark, visit our website.
Representing organizations across the state was the third annual "Chamber Challenge," a competition decided by voters on the MDSBWAP website. For the third year in a row, the Pikesville Chamber placed first with the highestnumber of votes. Second and third place were given to the Salisbury Area Chamber and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, respectively.
The full list of winners from the 2015 Maryland Small Business Week Awards Program:
Small Business Person of the Year Tim Bonner, President of Tim's Automtive & Towing
Family Owned Small Business of the Year Lynn & Greg Scott, E.S. Hubbert & Son, Inc.
Women in Business Champion of the Year Laura Kirby-Meck, President of Sonata Venture Solutions, LLC
Minority Small Business Champion of the Year Joe Morse, President of Delmarva African American Pride Magazine
Financial Services Champion of the Year Teresa Rogers, Vice President of SunTrust Bank
District Director's Unsung Hero Award Victor Clark, Jr., Director of Small Business Development and Program Manager for Small Business Resources, Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development
Young Entrepreneur of the Year Abigail Larkin, Sofi's Crepes
Attorney Advocate of the Year John A. Hayden, III, Esq., Partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
Accountant Advocate of the Year Diane Brewer, CPA, Heim Lantz, PC
Home-Based Business Champion of the Year Patricia Troy, Owner of Next Wave Group, LLC
Insurance Advocate of the Year Jack Degele, President of Degele & Associates
Small Business Exporter of the Year Tony Tsonis, President of Barcelona Nut Company
Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year Kevin Coby, President of SITEC Consulting
Rising Star Student Entrepreneur Lily DeBell, Lily's Legwarmers
