The winners, one representing each of the six Lone Star Colleges, were honored Thursday, Nov. 14, at the SBDC Advisory Council’s 27th Annual Small Business of the Year Awards Banquet held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. This year’s awards were sponsored by BBVA Compass Bank.
Dr. Richard Carpenter, LSCS chancellor, welcomed guests and the business owners as part of the event, which included 340 in attendance.
“Small businesses are truly an integral part of the fabric of the community they serve,” said Dr. Carpenter. “The six winners who were named from a prestigious list of 18 finalists are a testament to the important role of small businesses in the local economy.”
The 2013 27th Annual Small Business of the Year award was given to:
• Consolidated Mills Inc., Keith Vrana and Scott Vrana, representing the LSC-CyFair area.
• Shank Wealth Management, Bill Shank and Christian Shank, representing the LSC-Kingwood area.
• The Woodlands Learning Rx, Kim Bellini and Beth Buzbee, representing the LSC-Montgomery area.
• Karen K. Abramski, P.C., Karen K. Abramski, representing the LSC-North Harris area.
• Country Air, David and Alice Arevalo, representing the LSC-Tomball area.
• Kwik Copy Business Center #117, Jerry Hays and David Vaughan, representing the LSC-University Park area.
Each year, the LSCS SBDC Advisory Council recognizes successful small businesses that make an impact in the local community. More than 200 nominees were gathered from the community and narrowed down to the
18 finalists. The finalists were selected by the 18 members of the advisory council on the basis of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, business growth and contribution to the community.
“We are proud to support all small business owners and help them continue to contribute to the economic vitality of their community and to evolve to the next level,” said Sal Mira, executive director of the SBDC.
The LSCS SBDC works with companies to help them 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.
The LSCS SBDC works with companies to help them 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.
 Gil Staley, CEO, The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership, speaking at the Lone Star College System 27th Annual Small Business Awards Banquet presented by the LSCS-Small Business Development Center. |
 Consolidated Mills receives the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, Lone Star College-CyFair, at the 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 14 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Shown here (left - right) are Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor Lone Star College System; Keith and Scott Vrana of Consolidated Mills; and Dr. Audre Levy, president Lone Star College-CyFair, who made the presentation. |
 Shank Wealth receives the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, Lone Star College-Kingwood, at the 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 14 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Shown here (left - right) are Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor Lone Star College System; Dr. Katherine Persson, president Lone Star College-Kingwood, who made the presentation, and Christian Shank of Shank Wealth. |
 The Woodlands Learning RX receives the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, Lone Star College-Montgomery, at the 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 14 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Shown here (left - right) are Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor Lone Star College System; Kim Bellini and Beth Buzbee of The Woodlands RX; and Dr. Austin Shaw, president Lone Star College-Montgomery, who made the presentation. |
 Karen K. Abramski, P.C. receives the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, Lone Star College-North Harris, at the 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 14 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Shown here (left - right) are Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor Lone Star College System; Karen K. Abramski of Abramski, P.C.; and Dr. Steve Head, president Lone Star College-North Harris, who made the presentation. |
 Country Air receives the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, Lone Star College-Tomball, at the 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 14 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Shown here (left - right) are Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor Lone Star College System; Alice and David Arevalo, Mark McCann; and Dr. Susan Karr, president Lone Star College-Tomball, who made the presentation. |
 Kwik Kopy Business Center #117 receives the 2013 Small Business of the Year Award, Lone Star College-University Park, at the 27th annual Small Business Awards Banquet Thursday, Nov. 14 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Shown here (left - right) are Dr. Richard Carpenter, chancellor Lone Star College System; Jerry Hays and David Vaughan; and Dr. Lawrence Brandyburg -VP of instruction and student services Lone Star College-University Park, who made the presentation. |
####