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Dr. Dianne Barlar, Marketing Director
Phone: 850.473.7809
E-mail: dbarlar@uwf.edu
September 24, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Florida SBDC Network Recognizes Performance Excellence
Pensacola, Florida USA - On September 14, close to 130 Florida SBDC Network staff members and conference attendees gathered to recognize staff, volunteers and resource partners for performance excellence in support of small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Performance Excellence Awards were presented by FSBDCN State Director Jerry Cartwright at a Florida SBDC Network Meeting held during the National Association of SBDC's 29th Annual Conference in Orlando.
"I'm extremely pleased to recognize our 2009 outstanding performers," said Cartwright. "These staff members, volunteers and resource partners exemplify the SBDC program's guiding principles of service excellence, productivity and continuous improvement, excellence in reputation, recognition and respect, and honesty and integrity. We're very proud of these dedicated professionals who ensure that entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the best information and assistance possible to contribute to their success."
Florida Awards
The Florida Star of the Year, Mario Iezzoni, nominated by the SBDC at the University of South Florida in Tampa, was recognized as the FSBDCN employee whose contributions to the SBDC program were exemplary with respect to new program development, innovative special projects, client impact and/or overall Network performance. In his 7 years of service to the Network, Mario has helped his clients create 694 jobs, start 198 businesses, increase sales by $23.7 million, obtain $12.9 million in capital and win $2.6 million in contract awards. Mario was also recognized as the Association of SBDC's State Star for Florida at a special banquet at the National ASBDC Conference.
The Florida Outstanding Resource Partner is Fred Crispen of Borrego Springs Bank in Panama City. The award recognized the partner that provided the most outstanding contributions to the statewide Network with advocacy, financial support, partnership building and advising. Fred has been a significant partner and major financial contributor to the Florida SBDC Network by sponsoring its Professional Development Conference and Mobile Business Assistance Program. He has a deep sense of commitment to and for the Network, its mission, and its success.
The Florida Volunteer of the Year, Lee Evans, nominated by the SBDC at the University of Central Florida (SBDC at UCF) in Orlando, was recognized as the regional volunteer that has made the greatest contribution to the FSBDCN. Lee, after a 35-year career in government contracting, has volunteered for the SBDC at UCF's Advisory Board Council (ABC) Program for the past 3 years, contributing a total of 220 hours to the program—a market value worth $47,250. When he received the award, Lee said it's easy to work for when you have a passion for what you're doing.
The Network Service Excellence Awardee, Victoria Peake, was nominated by the SBDC at UCF. The award recognized the FSBDCN employee that has made outstanding contributions to their clients. Victoria is the director of the SBDC at Brevard Community College in Melbourne, a satellite center of the SBDC at UCF. During her years of service to the Network, Victoria created the first annual Women's Business Conference and the annual Veterans Conference which is celebrating its ninth successful year. She serves as the Vice-Chair of the BW Simpkins Business Seminar for Entrepreneurial Development, featuring brilliant business minds. Victoria has partnered with various organizations to develop the first Minority Vendor Expo and VETNET of Central Florida. She also maintains ties with Patrick Air Force Base's Small Business Office to provide counseling and training, and she created the Military Spouses Training Program with PAFB Family Support Center.
The Florida Innovative Program and Best Practice Award was presented to the SBDC at the University of Central Florida's Advisory Board Council Program. The award recognized the center that made a significant contribution to program improvement through innovative thinking, creativity, resourcefulness and determination in areas such as leadership, strategic plan deployment, customer relationships and satisfaction, performance and performance measurement, workforce engagement and resource development. Cumulative impact from the ABC program's reporting companies since its inception includes a $48,263,685 increase in revenues, 255 jobs created, 829 jobs retained, $11,654,793 in capital formation, and $28,131,158 in contracts awarded. The ABC is an all-volunteer operation.
Regional SBDC Awards
Regional Outstanding Resource Partners, recognized for outstanding contributions to a regional center with advocacy, financial support, partnership building and advising, are the Office of Small Business Assistance-Palm Beach County, nominated by the SBDC at PBSC; Joe Ariola of KeyBank, SBDC at FGCU; Dr. Tom O'Neal of the UCF Research & Commercialization, SBDC at UCF; Team Santa Rosa Economic Development Council, SBDC at UWF; Jacqueline Perry of Beaver Street Enterprise Center, SBDC at UNF; Hillsborough County Economic Development Department and Small Business Information Center, SBDC at USF.
Regional Volunteers of the Year, recognized for the greatest contribution to the regional SBDC with advocacy, counseling, training, program development and/or special projects, are Andrew Newitt, SBDC at UWF; Lola Kress, SBDC at UNF; Lee Evans, SBDC at UCF; Kristina Sommerkamp, SBDC at PBSC; Marie Grasmeier, SBDC at FGCU; and Jerry Karp, SBDC at USF.
Regional Certified Business Analysts (CBAs) of the Year, recognized for demonstrating the greatest enhancement of scope, quality and/or impact of counseling services, are Brent Peacock, SBDC at GCCC; Janet Etheridge, SBDC at UWF; Mike Bell, SBDC/PTAC at PBSC; Tony Espinosa, SBDC/PTAC at UCF; Ondria Merriweather-Brown, SBDC in Broward; Patrick Fitzgerald, SBDC at UNF; Tor Ortensen, SBDC at FGCU; and Mario Iezzoni, SBDC at USF.
Regional Employees of the Year, recognized for the greatest contribution to the operations or special projects of the regional center, are Jennifer Crews, State Director's Office; Kellie Snaith, SBDC at UCF; Margie James, SBDC at UWF; Jean Clance, SBDC at UNF; Linda Baxter, SBDC at SCF Manatee-Sarasota; Judy Pultro, SBDC at FGCU; and Diana Delhumeau, SBDC at PBSC.
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