SBA Honors Small Business Contributions of National Champion Award Winners

March 28, 2007; 02:14 AM

The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded Champion Awards to nine small business owners and small business backers from across the country in recognition of their outstanding achievements on behalf of small business. Among the nine small businesses, three Midwestern entrepreneurs received the national title in their respective categories -- "Women's Business Champion of the Year" Charlotte Zietlow of Middle Way House, Inc. in Bloomington, Indiana, "Small Business Journalist of the Year" Jody Patrick of "In Business Magazine" in Madison, Wisconsin; and "Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year" Nancy D. Marshall of Aluminum Supply Company, Inc. in Detroit, Michigan.

The National Champion Awards will be presented on Monday, April 23 at an evening reception in the U.S. Department of State (Diplomatic Reception Room) as part of the 2-day annual National Small Business Week Celebration. Each year, National Small Business Week honors the small business accomplishments of individuals and business owners.

"Charlotte, Jody and Nancy continue to serve as mentors to other small business owners throughout the Midwest and the nation," said SBA Regional Administrator Patrick Rea. "They represent today's small business leaders showing dedication and determination to succeed in the marketplace."

After successfully, starting, growing and selling her own business, "Women's Business Champion of the Year", Charlotte Zietlow continues to work tirelessly with the Middle Way House to promote economic opportunities for formerly abused women in the community.

"Small Business Journalist of the Year" Jody Patrick is a visionary and award-winning journalist. She publishes the region's business-to-business magazine and creator and co-host of a weekday radio program On Air with In Business Magazine where she takes business journalism to a higher standard by creating multiple conduits for small business advocacy and recognition.

"Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year" Nancy D Marshall continuous to see her family business flourish with increased clientele and growing revenue. Founded in 1948, Aluminum Supply Company, Inc. is a second generation family-owned operated Distributor of Architectural Building Products.

All of the Region V winners will also be recognized at a local ceremony in their respective districts.

This year's Region V Champion Award winners include the following:

2007 Exporter Champion
-- Gene Anguil, President and Founder, Anguil Environmental Systems, Inc., Milwaukee, Wisconsin

2007 Veterans Champion
-- Edward L. Ronders, Director, VetBiz Central, Inc., Flint, Michigan

2007 Financial Services Champion
-- Cathy Haworth, Executive Director, Lake County Development Center, Painesville, Ohio

2007 Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business Champion
-- Nancy D. Marshall, President & CEO, Aluminum Supply Company, Detroit, Michigan

2007 Minority Champion
-- Joe Lopez, President, New Era Builders, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio

2007 Journalist Champion
-- Jody Glynn Patrick, "In Business" Magazine, Madison, Wisconsin

2007 Women in Business Champion (TIE)
-- Charlotte Zietlow, Economic Development Coordinator, Bloomington, Indiana
-- Sue Lindgren, President, YESS!! -- Your Extraordinary Success Strategies, Middle Way House, St. Louis Park, Minnesota

2007 Home-Based Business Champion
-- Diane Valletta, Owner, Valletta Associates, Evanston, Illinois

2007 Young Entrepreneur of the Year
-- Bruce McCully, President & Founder, Dynamic Edge, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan

Selected from nomination packages submitted by SBA district offices in their communities, the awardees are being recognized on the basis of having met one or more of the following criteria:
-- Demonstrated entrepreneurial potential necessary for long-term business success and economic growth.
-- If a small business, evidence of success as measured by sales and profits.
-- Voluntary efforts beyond business/professional responsibilities to advance small business interests within the small business community, state and/or nation.
-- Support of the small business community as a whole, not solely for individual personal advancement.
-- Other accomplishments demonstrating the nominee's effective support of small business.

For more information about SBA's programs for small businesses, visit the SBA's extensive Web site at http://www.sba.gov.