• Small Business Person of the Year
  North Florida District Winner
  Fernando C. Pereira, President of VIP’s Jet Tours Corp DBA Pegasus Transportation, Orlando success story
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of Central Florida, Orlando

• Women in Business Champion of the Year
  North Florida District & State Winner
  Kathryn R. Murphy, RN, MSN, CMC, President/CEO of KRM Resources LLC d.b.a Comfort Keepers, Jacksonville success story
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

• Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
  South Florida District, State & Regional Winner
  Mark Llano, President of Source One Distributors, Wellington success story
  Client of the SBDC/PTAC at Palm Beach State College, Boca Raton

• Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year
  North Florida District Winner
  David Moorefield, President of DAK Resources, Jacksonville success story
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

• Small Business Exporter of the Year
  North Florida District Winner
  David M. Capps, President of Caribbean Breeze, Yulee success story
  Client nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

• Financial Services Champion of the Year
  North Florida District & State Winner
  Jessica Lynn Evans, Vice President of Regions Bank, St. Augustine
  Nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

• Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
  North Florida District & State Winner
  Arthur J. Lee, President of Lee Wesley Restaurants, LLC, Jacksonville
  Nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

• Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year Award
  North Florida District & State
  Scott Shannon Hulihan, President of Hulihan Territory, Inc., Atlantic Beach
  Nominated by the SBDC at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville

“We are extremely proud to recognize these outstanding business leaders and champions,” said Jerry Cartwright, State Director of the FSBDCN. “The Florida SBDC Network salutes the crucial role small business plays in strengthening and supporting economic growth and job creation. We are gratified that the extensive support provided to Florida’s small business community by our SBDC professionals is being acknowledged in such a public and tangible way.”

Every year since 1963, the President of the United States has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the importance of America’s small businesses. This year it is May 16-20, 2011 and the national winners will be recognized at a prestigious event in Washington, DC.  During the month of May, the Florida SBDCs are hosting and participating in a variety of events and functions statewide to celebrate small business, including a Small Business Award Luncheon hosted by the SBDC at UCF in Orlando to honor client Fernando Pereira, North Florida Small Business Person of the Year. The SBDC at USF presents the Small Business Growth Conference across 10 counties—a free conference series where participants learn the strategies and tools necessary for growing the business. The SBDC at UNF is hosting its 19th Annual Small Business Week & Lender Awards Celebration in Jacksonville; and the SBDC at Gulf Coast State College in Lynn Haven presents Congressman Southerland’s Annual Small Business Conference “Planting Seeds for the New Economy”.  Find an event near you by visiting our website at www.FloridaSBDC.org.