News Release

       

PRESS OFFICE                                                

Connecticut District Office                                                  Contact: Debra C. Dillon

330 Main Street 2^nd. Floor                                                     Public Affairs Specialist

Hartford, CT  06106-1800                                                        Tel:  (860) 240-4700 ext. 242

Tel. (860) 240-4700                                                                   Fax: (860) 240-4659

Website:  www.sba.gov/ct                                                        Email:  Debra.Dillon@sba.gov

                                                                                                Release Date:  For Immediate Release                                                                                     Release Number:  2005:13                                           

SBA AWARDS CONNECTICUT'S BEST FOR EXCELLENCE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SERVICE AND BUSINESS

Hartford - Seven Connecticut individuals have been named as "Champions" of the year by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).  This recognition is made in conjunction with Small Business Week 2005, held and celebrated annually by the SBA.  These advocates represent a variety of business experiences and expertise and have devoted their professional and personal lives to bettering the small business environment.

"These businesses and individuals represent what is finest about Connecticut's small business community" said the SBA's Regional Administrator Charles E. Summers, Jr.   "Connecticut is a better place because of the accomplishments of these award recipients and we are pleased to have the opportunity to recognize their success."

*         John H. Scott III, Professor of Business, Gateway Community College and Pastor, Dixwell Avenue Congressional Church was named 2005 Minority Small Business Champion of the Year.  As a Professor of Business specializing in Business Law and Finance and as a Reverend Prof. Scott is commitment to the development of minority entrepreneurship.  He revised the Business Law course at Gateway, which is a requirement for the Gateway Small Business Center's Entrepreneurship Studies Associates Degree Program and also developed programs and motivational speeches to provide information and assistance to those in the community who had a desire to start or grow a small business.  Rev. Prof.  Scott has been chosen as the State and Regional recipient of this prestigious award.

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SBA Awards Connecticut's Best / pg. 2

*         Janet A. Testa, Vice President Operations for the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce was named 2005 Women in Business Champion of the Year.   Ms. Testa has been extremely dedicated to the advancement of women's business ownership.  In this capacity she oversees the day-to-day operations of the Chamber and works with member businesses of all sizes to enhance the business climate in the Greater New Haven region.  Ms. Testa has also planned and produced numerous seminars and business-to-business expos for existing and potential small businesses.  Ms. Testa has also been selected as the State and Regional Champion. 

*         Munson's Chocolates was named 2005 Jeffrey H. Butland Family-Owned Small Business Champion of the Year.  Ben and Josephine Munson founded Munson's Chocolates in 1946 and originally titled the store "The Dandy Candy Company".  With little more than a dream they set out to build a business that would reflect their commitment to quality and service.  Their first store was located in Manchester, Connecticut where they made batches of wafers and ribbon candy from the sugar rations they received following the end of WW II.  Munson's now has 10 retail stores throughout Connecticut and is committed to helping their neighbors all over the State.  What makes Munson's so unique is the depth and diversity of their product line; they manufacture over 300 different items.  Their facilities range from a 60 square foot store in Olde Mystic Village to a 3,500 square foot all glass round building in Farmington.  One of the most popular sites remains the store located at the headquarters in Bolton.  Munson's chocolates can also be found in a variety of specialty stores.  In addition to small independently owned shops, you will find Munson's in the Mohegan Sun Casino, Foxwoods Casino and in Japan. 

*         Pegasus Manufacturing, Inc. was named 2005 Small Business Exporter of the Year.  Pegasus Manufacturing was founded in 1989 when the DiPentima family acquired a financially distressed "job shop" on the verge of liquidation.  At the time the company employed a staff of six.  For the next few years, they managed the firm with a new emphasis on excellence in production.  With a keen eye Pegasus focused on discovering synergies that would enable them to expand the range of services they could provide while expanding and diversifying their base of customers.  Today the company is experiencing record sales growth into global markets and expansion through the assistance of its highly skilled and trained workforce which is now in excess of 125 individuals.

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SBA Awards Connecticut's Best / pg. 3

*         Dennis Brown, Counselor Connecticut Community Investment Corp. (CTCIC) was named 2005 Financial Services Champion of the Year.   Mr. Brown has been committed to the small business community which is evidenced by the endless hours he has donated in speaking engagements, teaching and counseling.  He offers free seminars on loan programs and business subjects locally and across the state.  He also offers free credit counseling to entrepreneurs before their business plans are presented to lenders.  Mr. Brown is co-creator and co-chair for a statewide microenterprise group that highlights the access of resources, both financial and training, as well as the legislative side to inform and influence the legislature on issues of microenterprise including laws and financial support. 

*         Linda Spoonster Schwartz, RN, MSN, DPH, FAAN Major USAF, NC (RET) Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs is named 2005 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.  Dr. Schwartz served 16 years in the United States Air Force both on active duty and as a reservist and retired from the service for injuries sustained in an aircraft accident.  Dr. Schwartz has been involved in health care issues and veterans advocacy most of her life.   She has devoted her nursing practice to healing the wounds of war and improving the lives of America's 26 million veterans.  Her experiences as a scientist, nurse and disabled veteran has given her the opportunity to testify over 25 times before the House and Senate of the U.S. Congress on various issues veterans face. 

*         Scott Whipple, Business Report New Britain Herald was named 2005 Small Business Journalist of the Year.  As a seasoned writer Mr. Whipple remembers his days operating his business as a freelance writer and is intimately aware of the many and often complex issues a small business owner needs to address to be successful.  Likewise he keenly understands the role small and larger businesses have in contributing to the overall health and balance of a community.  His journalist skills and commitment to finding the "good" in a story is evident in his writing.  Scott's writing conveys his understanding and allows thousands of readers each day to join in recognizing the success of local small businesses and their contributions to their communities.

Connecticut award recipients will be honored at an awards ceremony on May 19, 2005 at the Belvedere, New Haven, CT.  If you would like more information on this celebration, or next year's nominations contact (860) 240-4700 or visit www.sba.gov/ct.

Small businesses have been essential to sustaining our nation's and our state's economic health.  Entrepreneurs and advocates play a vital role in the ongoing business development efforts, and their accomplishments are worthy of recognition. The nomination process begins in September of each year and is coordinated by your local SBA office. 

A complete list of the 2005 Small Business Week award recipients is attached.

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2005 Small Business Week Award Recipients

Connecticut District Office

Small Business Person of the Year

Carl Lucchino and Al Lucchino

Harley Davidson-Buell of Danbury