The Lone Star College Small Business Development Center Advisory Council (LSC-SBDC) announced today the names of the 18 finalists for the 29th Annual Small Business of the Year awards.

“We are delighted to recognize these businesses,” said Glea Ramey, SBDC Advisory Council nominations chairman. “Small businesses are critical to the strength of our local economies.” 

BBVA Compass, the fourth largest bank in Houston with more than 70 branches in the greater Houston area, is one of the nation's leading Small Business Administration (SBA) lenders, and is the title sponsor of the awards for the third year in a row.

“Small businesses play a key role in the economic vitality of communities across the country,” said Amos McDonald, BBVA Compass North Houston district retail executive. “BBVA Compass is proud to recognize the valuable contributions of these courageous entrepreneurs who make a positive impact in our communities.”

Nominees for the award were gathered from members of the local community, business leaders and civic organizations. Three finalists were selected from each of the six Lone Star College locations on the basis of leadership, entrepreneurial spirit, business growth and contribution to the community. 

All 18 finalists will be recognized at a luncheon Oct. 22. Winners of the LSC-SBDC award will be honored at the 2015 29th Annual Small Business of the Year awards banquet on Nov. 19.

Both events will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. The finalists of the 29th Annual Small Business of the Year are:

• From LSC-CyFair: Mathnasium of CyFair, Jon and Dr. Catherine Labuda; Panda Wellness Center, Claudia Orso, DVM; Webb’s Automotive of Cypress, Roy and Tracie Webb.
• From LSC-Kingwood: Minuteman Press, Connie and Darryal Chandler; Abundant Health & Wellness Center, Dr. Polly Heil-Mealey and Stephen W. Hale; RE/MAX Rewards, Judith Hayes.
• From LSC-Montgomery: Bradbury Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, Michael Bradbury, Todd Bradbury, Jason Bradbury and Jackie Bradbury-Guerrero; The J. Beard Real Estate Company, Jeff Beard; The Woodlands Young Learners Academy, Deborah Kaschik and Dan Altom.
• From LSC-North Harris: Big Dog Logistics, Daniel Kirk and Kirk A. Lane; Chick-Fil-A Louetta Crossing, Mike Magdaleno; Lasting eMpressions, DeRonica Horn.
• From LSC-Tomball: M2 the Agency, Inc., Merideth and Andy Miller; NiteLites of Houston, Rob W. Greening; Paradigm Design Group, Lisa and Carl H. Haude, Jr.
• From LSC-University Park: Basel’s All-Star Gymnastics & Cheer, John and Kristen Basel; Shredding on the Go, James Parker; Maid Brigade of NW Houston, James and Susan Fordice.

For tickets or more information about the awards banquet, please call the LSC-SBDC at: 832.813.6674.

The LSC-SBDC works with entrepreneurs and existing companies to help them evolve to the next level of business 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. Click here to learn more about LSC-SBDC.

BBVA Compass is a Sunbelt-based financial institution that operates 672 branches, including 341 in Texas, 89 in Alabama, 77 in Arizona, 62 in California, 45 in Florida, 38 in Colorado and 20 in New Mexico, and commercial and private client offices throughout the U.S. BBVA Compass ranks among the top 25 largest U.S. commercial banks based on deposit market share and ranks among the largest banks in Alabama (2nd), Texas (4th) and Arizona (5th). BBVA Compass has been recognized as one of the leading small business lenders by the Small Business Administration, and its mobile app recently earned the Mobile Banking Leader in Functionality Award for the second consecutive year from Javelin Strategy & Research. Additional information about BBVA Compass can be found at http://www.bbvacompass.com/, by following @BBVACompassNews on Twitter or visiting newsroom.bbvacompass.com

Lone Star College has been opening doors to a better community for more than 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSC remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with almost 83,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 95,000, Lone Star College is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., is the chancellor of LSC, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online.