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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Florida SBDC Network Presents 2007 Performance Excellence Awards Pensacola—On June 12, Florida SBDC Network staff and conference attendees gathered to recognize staff, volunteers and lenders for performance excellence in support of entrepreneurs growing Florida small businesses. Performance Excellence Awards were presented at the Recognition Luncheon held during the Annual FSBDCN Professional Development Conference in Clearwater Beach, by FSBDCN State Director Jerry Cartwright and the SBDC Directors. Awards were presented for the Lenders' Hall of Fame; Florida Star of the Year; Florida Volunteer of the Year; Regional Volunteers of the Year; Regional Certified Business Analysts (CBA) of the Year; Regional Employees of the Year; National Association of SBDC Florida Star; and Network Service Awards. Lenders' Hall of Fame Awards acknowledge the importance and value of strong partnerships with lenders. SBDCs and lenders play a valuable role partnering to help businesses start and grow. This year, the SBDC at the University of North Florida awarded lifetime status in the Lenders' Hall of Fame to Tina L. Crowder, Business Banker at Wachovia Bank in Orange Park. The Florida Star of the Year is Lisa Sparks from the SBDC at Florida Gulf Coast University Cape Coral office. The award recognizes the employee who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the overall SBDC program for innovative program development, creative special projects, enhanced center performance and/or client impact. Lisa’s 2006 service accomplishments includes counseling 179 clients with 1,044 hours and 23 events conducted for 201 attendees; and, helping her clients create/retain 29 jobs, open 11 businesses, increase sales by $246,500, and form $1 million in total capital. Lisa revolutionized technology and e-marketing with the introduction of Constant Contact—more than doubling the volume of business in two months with her e-newsletter. Other nominees for the award were Victoria Peake, SBDC at Brevard Community College; Gary Cole, SBDC at Florida Atlantic University; Stacy Thorrington, SBDC at the University of West Florida; and Kelly McLeod, FSBDCN State Director’s Office. The Florida Volunteer of the Year, Sandra L. Brooks, was nominated by the SBDC at UNF. Sandra is the President of INCOMM International, Inc., a full-service marketing, advertising, design and public relations agency. She has volunteered countless hours to the SBDC through counseling and training for the Small Business Resource Network program. Regional Volunteers of the Year were recognized for their outstanding contributions, advocacy, program development and/or special projects, presentation of SBDC workshops and client counseling. They are Bridget S. Lee, SBDC at FAMU; Danilo Vargas, SBDC at FAU; James Hosman, SBDC at UWF; Nancy Krug, SBDC at UCF; Jean Krupinski, SBDC at USF; and Sandra L. Brooks, SBDC at UNF. Regional Certified Business Analysts (CBAs) of the Year, recognized for their excellence with resource utilization, client impact and special projects, were Bob Walz, SBDC at GCCC; Gary Cole, SBDC at FAU; Victoria Peake, SBDC at BCC; Bob Raymond, SBDC at USF; Dominic Orsini, SBDC at UNF; Stacy Thorrington, SBDC at UWF; and Lisa Sparks, SBDC at FGCU. Dan Cavanaugh, SBDC at UWF; Karen Samulak, SBDC at CFDC/Polk County; Norm Jacobson, SBDC at FGCU; Sandy Pfrimmer, SBDC at BCC; Stephanie Royal, SBDC at UNF; Barbara Boles, SBDC at FAMU; Rafael Cruz, SBDC at FAU; and Maggie Gunther, SBDC at FAU, were the Regional Employees of the Year, recognized for making the greatest contribution to SBDC operations. The National ASBDC State Star is Nancy Boyle, SBDC at UNF’s Small Business Resource Network. The Florida Star of the preceding year is recognized as the National Association of SBDCs State Star Awardee for Florida. Network Service Awards were also presented to staff members achieving increments of five continuous years of service with the FSBDCN. Katherine Hoelscher, FSBDCN Assistant State Director, was recognized for 20 years of service. Each year, FSBDCN staff—from Clerical to Certified Business Analysts to Directors—meet at the Conference to publicly recognize their best—those who have demonstrated excellence—as they immerse themselves into three days of intense training in technical to behavioral seminars. The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with assistance enabling overall growth and increased profitability that contributes to the economic prosperity of the state. For more information about the FSBDCN, visit our website at www.FloridaSBDC.com. Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the US Small Business Administration. |