2008 Small Business Week
May 5-8, 2008
Small Business Week is an annual celebration, which spotlights the men and women who, through their independent entrepreneurial spirit, play a vital role in building our community and its economy

Thank you for helping us to celebrate Small Business Week 2008. Congratulations to our 2008 award recipients, finalists and nominees!

Small Business Person of the Year (Category 1)
Nominees:
Ryland Byars, InfoSmart, Inc.
Dianne Coleman, Diverse Community Network, Inc.
Bryan Council, Metro Monitor, Inc.
Andrew Evans, Man in the Maze, Inc.
Ruwena Healy, Marketing 24/7 Inc.
John Scalici, Get Rhythm
Finalists:
Nolanda Bearden, NHB Group, LLC
William Cooch, Highland Technical Services, Inc.
Jane Smith, Recruit Source Inc.
Theresa Thornton, Scandinavian Design and Leather Gallery
Marlene Wallace, Career Concepts, Inc.
Jamie Warren, The Forte Marketing Group
Jana White, Creative Directions, Inc.
Award Recipient:
Deborah Lechner, ErgoScience, Inc.

Small Business Person of the Year (Category 2)
Finalists:
Tanita Cain, Advantage Equipment, LLC
Harold Coghlan-Montero, Magic Express Airlines, Inc.
Joy Daugherty, Interiorscapes, Inc.
Chuck and Lynn Leishman, Birmingham Weekly
Joe and Scott Planson, Changing Spaces Moving, Inc.
Bobby White, Reliance Financial Group
Award Recipient:
Hal Shepherd, The Kennion Group, Inc.

Small Business Person of the Year (Category 3)
Finalists:
Gene Hallman, Bruno Event Team
Chris and Idie Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club
Shannon Riley, One Stop Environmental, LLC
Lisa Thompson, FlexDigital
Award Recipient:
Geoff Clever, Neil Davis, Julee Potter, Davis Architects, Inc.

Small Business Person of the Year (Category 4)
Finalists:
Deepa Bhate, Building and Earth Sciences, Inc.
Lori Harris and Teresa Harrell, Professional Choice, Inc.
Tanveer Patel, CircleSource Software
Award Recipient:
Dr. Bruce Irwin, American Family Care, Inc.

Small Business Advocate of the Year Award
Finalists:
David Fleming, Main Street Birmingham
Cort Harwood, Harwood Consulting/Vistage International
Steven Hoyt, Birmingham City Council
Troy Post, Bessemer Industrial Development Board- City of Bessemer
Richard Wallace, Organizational Success Management
Award Recipient:
Jairo Vargas, Latino News, LLC

Jesse J. Lewis, Jr. Community Service Award
Finalists:
Lisa Cooper, Birmingham Business Resource Center
Cindy Martin, al.com
John Ocampo, Action Counseling & Associates
John O’Malley, Strategic Visions, Inc.
Melvin Smith, Financial Discovery Forum
Roy Williams, The Birmingham News
Award Recipient:
Ken Jackson, Dudley C. Jackson, Inc.

Centennial Award
Commercial Printing Company
J.H. Berry & Gilbert, Inc.

Non-Profit of the Year Award
Nominees:
AIDS Alabama
Alabama Germany Partnership
Alabama Symphony Orchestra
Alzheimers of Central Alabama
Assistance League of Birmingham
Auntie Litter, Inc.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Birmingham
The Birmingham Pledge Foundation
Birmingham Urban League, Inc.
Blount County Education Foundation
Catholic Family Services
Central Alabama Women’s Business Center
Childcare Resources
Children’s Aid Society
Collat Jewish Family Services
Cultural Alliance of Greater Birmingham
Day Program
Family Connection Inc.
The Foundry Rescue Mission and Recovery Center
Gateway
Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama
IMPACT Family Counseling
Jefferson County Schools Foundation
Jimmie Hale Mission
Lakeshore Foundation
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers
The Literacy Council
The Lovelady Center
Magic City Harvest
Magic Moments
McWane Science Center
Safe Harbor
The Seasoned Performers
Sight Savers of Alabama
South Regions Minority Business Council
Space One Eleven
St. Anne’s Home Inc
United Way Community Food Bank, Inc.
Finalists:
The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs
The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Hand-In-Paw, Inc.
Junior League of Birmingham
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Alabama, Inc.
Vulcan Park & Museum/Vulcan Park Foundation
YWCA of Central Alabama
Award Recipient:
United Way of Central Alabama, Inc.

SAVE THE DATE: Our 25^th Annual Small Business Week is May 4-7, 2009!

Small Business Week is planned and executed by the Small Business Committee. For questions or concerns, please contact Ashley Grigg at (205) 241-8136.

 

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