FSBDC at UCF Celebrates National Small Business Week
Two FSBDC at UCF Clients and a Partner Being Honored as SBA Award Winners
May 15, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Hal Thayer, Communications Director, FSBDC at UCF, 407.420.4850 or hthayer@bus.ucf.edu
Orlando, FL – In recognition of the immense contribution to a healthy economy made by the entrepreneurs and small business owners of Central Florida and the nation, the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is celebrating the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) National Small Business Week with a luncheon and awards ceremony recognizing local SBA award winners and champions.
The FSBDC at UCF’s National Small Business Week celebration will occur on Tuesday May 20th at the 2014 Small Business Awards Luncheon, an invitation-only event being held at the Citrus Club in downtown Orlando. Eunice Choi, Regional Director at the SBDC at UCF, is hosting the luncheon which will feature remarks by Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, SBA North Florida District Director, who will present the following awards to local SBA awards recipients in attendance:
- Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
State and North Florida District Winner
Jing Zhou, Interventions Unlimited, Inc., Oviedo
- Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year
North Florida District Winner
Jack Corthell, Aircraft Engineering & Installation Services, Inc., Orlando
- Small Business Financial Advocate of the Year
State and North Florida District Winner
Jennifer Hodges, SunTrust Bank, Winter Park
“Our clients and advocate are so very worthy of recognition by the Small Business Administration as part of its Small Business Week,” remarked Eunice Choi of the Florida SBDC at UCF. “We at the SBDC at UCF are extremely pleased that our valued clients and advocate have been honored for their hard won and success and contribution to our local economy. It is gratifying to the FSBDC that we assisted them in their achievements in some small way.”
“It is an honor to recognize the achievements of these exceptional small business leaders and advocates,” said Michael Myhre, CEO and Network State Director for the Florida SBDC Network. “These innovative companies and partners play a key role in stimulating economic development – helping our state and nation move forward. We are pleased that the services and support provided to Florida’s small businesses by our Florida SBDC professionals in Orlando are acknowledged in this important way.”
National Small Business Week is proclaimed by the President of the United States to recognize the critical contributions made by America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs to our economy. This year’s week-long celebration is scheduled to run May 12 – 16 with events being held in multiple cities from coast-to-coast that are designed to help small businesses start, grow and succeed. The week’s events culminate in Washington, DC, where the national winner will be announced.
— FSBDC —
About the FSBDC at UCF
With its main office in the National Entrepreneur Center located at the Fashion Square Mall in Orlando, the SBDC at the University of Central Florida (FSBDC at UCF) is part of the UCF Office of Research & Commercialization and the Florida SBDC Network (FSBDC Network). THE FSBDC at UCF provides business seminars and no-cost, one-on-one business consultation to emerging and established businesses. The FSBDC at UCF serves an eight-county area that includes Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter, and Volusia counties and maintains 10 service centers across Central Florida.
In 2012, the FSBDC at UCF served almost 6500 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 9,961 Central Florida jobs created, retained or saved; $1.3 billion in sales growth; $50.4 million in capital formation; $104.6 million in government contract awards; and 108 new businesses started.
About the FSBDC Network
The FSBDC at UCF is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide service network funded in part through cooperative agreements with the U.S. Small Business Administration, Defense Logistics Agency, State of Florida and other private and public partners. The Florida SBDC Network is hosted by the University of West Florida and is nationally accredited by the Association of SBDCs. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.
For over 35 years, the FSBDC Network has nourished a statewide partnership between higher education and economic development organizations, dedicated to providing emerging and established business owners with management and technical assistance, enabling overall growth and increased profitability for the businesses and economic prosperity for the state. The FSBDC Network is a statewide service system of 41 centers with 60 outreach locations, including the FSBDC at UCF.
In 2012, the Florida SBDCs served approximately 38,000 entrepreneurs and small business owners through consulting and training, resulting in 47,845 jobs created, retained and saved; $6.3 billion in sales growth; $235.2 million in capital accessed; $588.4 million in government contract awards; and 744 new businesses started. And, for every $1 of Florida public and private sector investment in the FSBDC programing 2012, $40 was returned to the state in tax revenue
FSBDC at UCF | 3201 E. Colonial Drive | Orlando, FL 32801 | p 407.420.4850 | f 407.420.4862
sbdc@bus.ucf.edu | www.sbdcorlando.com
