(Nov. 23, 2010) – The Lone Star College System Small Business Development Center Advisory Council has named its five 2010 Small Business of the Year Award winners.
The winners, one from each of the five Lone Star Colleges, were honored on Thursday, Nov. 18, at the SBDC Advisory Council’s 24th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards Banquet held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott.
The 2010 24th Annual Small Business of the Year award was bestowed to: Steamboat House Restaurant, Charlie Fogarty, representing the LSC-CyFair area; Danell’s Gifts and Florals, Danell Fields, LSC-Kingwood; Tough Law Firm, Bruce Tough, LSC-Montgomery; A Dog’s Life Pet Salon and Boutique, Carol Fellbaum, LSC-North Harris; and Allied Siding and Windows, Leonard Courtright, LSC-Tomball.
Each year, the LSCS SBDC Advisory Council recognizes successful small businesses that make an impact in the local community. More than 150 nominees were gathered from the community and narrowed down to the 15 finalists. The finalists were selected by the 24 members of the advisory council on the basis of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, business growth and contribution to the community.
The winners for each college service area are then named from the list of 15 finalists.
"All of the finalists are successful small business owners and they all make special contributions to the local community,” said Sal Mira, executive director of the LSCS SBDC. "They are all winners in our book, but a final selection has to be made – a daunting task for the Advisory Council that gets tougher and tougher each year.”
Mira pointed out that the LSCS SBDC exists to assist businesses like these. He added that in 2010 alone, the Lone Star College SDBC has helped create more than 500 new jobs.
Other finalists for this year’s award included: from LSC-CyFair – Energy Capital Credit Union, Randall Dixon; and Peak Financial Group, Janine Moore, Tracey Brundrett and Darrell Ellisor; from LSC-Kingwood – Spring Chicken Travel, Sandra Rogers; and Kingwood Chiropractic Associates, Dr. Kyle Buchan, Dr. M. Cody McComb; from LSC-Montgomery – Accurate Inspect, Lisa and Larry Fleming; and Outback Western Wear, Michelle and Chris O'Rourke; from LSC-North Harris – Texas Tutor Professionals, Zandra Draper, Dr. Alexander Warren; and ClearChoice Orthodontic Associates, Dr. Raymond McLendon; and from LSC-Tomball – Deborah Hroch and Associates, Deborah Hroch; and Graco Awards Enterprises, Tom Tucker.
The LSCS SBDC works with existing companies to help them get started, grow and compete in today's global economy. SBDC services are available for companies in every phase of the business life cycle, helping entrepreneurs make sound decisions and succeed. For more information about the SBDC visit sbdc.LoneStar.edu
With more than 69,000 students in credit classes for fall 2010, and a total enrollment of more than 85,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of five colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, and LSC-Tomball, six centers, LSC-University Park, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu
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