National Small Business Week SBA Awards & Resource Expo

The Connecticut District SBA and CBIA wrapped up National Small Business Week May 4 by honoring the state’s small business person of the year and nine other outstanding small business leaders.

These entrepreneurial award winners were nominated by organizations throughout the state. As part of National Small Business Week, the U.S. SBA highlights the impact of outstanding small business owners and champions throughout the country.

iCleanse founder and CEO Chris Allen shared his entrepreneurial journey, while a panel of small business leaders from around the state discussed best practices and solutions for navigating a range of challenges.

Agenda

1:30 pm | Registration & Networking

2 pm | Opening Remarks

• Chris DiPentima, President & CEO, CBIA
• Catherine Marx, Connecticut District Director, SBA
• Mike Vlacich, New England Regional Administration, SBA
• Alexandra Daum, Connecticut Department of Economic & Community Development

2:15 pm | Small Business Awards Presented by SBA

• Manufacturer of the Year: Pedro Soto, Hygrade Precision Technologies
• Microenterprise of the Year: Carol DiCarlo, Cheshire Equestrian Center
• Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year: Jeffrey Nodden, Manchester Awning
• Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year: Alisha Lynn Simpson-Watt, Collaborative ABA Services LLC
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Brianna Regine Walston, Brianna Regine Visionary Consulting LLC
• Exporter of the Year: Andrew Zeppa, Element 119 LLC
• National Subcontractor of the Year, Cindy Hersom, DICIN Electric Company, Inc.
• Small Business Investment Company of the Year-Established Manager, Seth Alvord, Balance Point Capital
• Small Business Person of the Year: Dennis Nash, Control Station, Inc.

2:45 pm | Networking Break

3 pm | Blood, Sweat, Tears: The Entrepreneur’s Journey

• Introduction: Nick Poirier, Executive Director Business Banking Area Manager, J.P. Morgan Chase
• Chris Allen, CEO, iCleanse

3:45 pm | Surviving & Thriving: Small Business Case Studies

• Moderator: Jessica Dodge, Director of Momentum for Business Owners, Connecticut Wealth Management
• Susan King, SVP Client Services, IQ Telcom LLC
• Todd Lessard, Owner, Project Executive Services, Leading Edge Construction
• Jill Mayer, CEO, Bead Industries

4:30-6 pm | Resource Expo & Networking Reception