Local small business owners to be honored at awards ceremony May 2
Article by: SBDC Contributed Release
This year marks the 55th annual proclamation of National Small Business Week, which is April 29 through May 5. To recognize and salute the achievements of the awardees, Del Mar College’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is hosting an evening event entitled “Entrepreneur Night & Small Business Awards.”
The event is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at the Texas State Aquarium, 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd. Registration is available online at www.seminarscc.com. There is no charge for the event, and hors d’oeuvres will be provided.
This year, in particular, it is meaningful to recognize these outstanding business owners given the hurricane damage suffered recently by so many in the Coastal Bend. Despite the setback for some, it has been incredible to see how many entrepreneurs are still persevering in starting new businesses and, in the case of these awardees, growing their existing businesses.
In addition to the recognition ceremony, resource partners such as the SBDC, SCORE Corpus Christi, Del Mar College Procurement Technical Assistance Center and LiftFund will be available to inform small business owners and other entrepreneurial-minded individuals of the resources available in the area.
There will also be a Biz Talk panel consisting of local business owners who will share their keys to success. The event will wrap up with Dr. Jim Lee, regents professor of economics at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, who will deliver the keynote address, “Local economy and small business update.”
“Small businesses are vital for the local economy through job creation and retention since they represent 85 percent of jobs in the area,” Fierova added. “It is especially exciting to also honor several community leaders with Small Business Administration Disaster Awards for their Hurricane Harvey efforts.”
Awards to be presented include:
District Director Awards
Corpus Christi Branch Office Awards:
- William Marin, San Marin Laundry Company, LLC, SBA Corpus Christi Branch Office Small Business of the Year
- Dennis Van Maren, DDS, USAF, Colonel, Ret., Bay Area Denture & Dental Center, Veteran Owned Small Business of the Year
- James Jones, Certified Business Advisor IV, Del Mar College SBDC, Corpus Christi; Advisor of the Year
- Robert Cantwell III, SCORE Corpus Christi; Mentor of the Year
SBA Disaster Awards:
- National Winner Charles Bujan, City of Port Aransas, Phoenix Award – Public Official
- Corpus Christi Branch Winner Amy Montgomery, Rockport, Phoenix Award – Volunteer
District Award Winner:
- Saul and Sam Maldonado of Sam Engineering & Surveying Inc. (SAMES Inc.), SBA Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office Small Business Persons of the Year
The Del Mar College SBDC serves to foster small business success through no cost, one-on-one and confidential business advising from Certified Business Advisors and hosts over 125 small business workshops each year. Visit www.delmar.edu/sbdc for more information on workshops and events or join the conversation @DelMarCollegeSBDC and #bizbythebay.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.