The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and The University of Texas - Pan American Small Business Development Center, a component of CoSERVE, will host the 2005 Small Business Awards Dinner on April 13, 2005, at the UTPA Annex at 2412 S. Closner from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

This reception celebrates "Small Business Week 2005!” and acknowledges the efforts and successes of small business owners and their financial partners and advisors in South Texas. The U.S. SBA awards are designed to demonstrate an appreciation for individuals who work diligently as entrepreneurs, and in doing so, help the economy grow,” says Maria D. Juarez, Project Director of UTPA-SBDC.

Because small businesses are so important to the U.S. economy, the U.S. SBA recognizes the ties which promote success in entrepreneurship. At the dinner, SBA will salute small business entrepreneurs and applaud the efforts of several small business champions from South Texas.

The dinner will honor several entrepreneurs: Ms. Zenia Marroquin and Mr. Alfredo Marroquin from Little Green Apples, Inc. will be recognized as the Small Business Persons of the Year for the district. Angie Moreno and Janie Garza from Advanced Barber College & Hair Designs, Inc., will be recognized as Women in Business Champions of the Year.  Eristeo and Daniel Montaño’s Digital Office Systems will be recognized as SBA Family-Owned Small Business of the Year.  We honor these small businesses who lead the community and by their presence serve as mentors to others who have or wish to follow the path of self-employment.

The U.S. SBA will also acknowledge the hard work and dedication of individuals who help entrepreneurs on their path to success. James L. Streeter will be recognized as SCORE Counselor of the Year. JPMorgan Chase Bank will be recognized ad Financial Services Champion of the Year. Albert Gonzalez of the San Benito Economic Development Corporation will be recognized as Minority Small Business Champion of the Year. Haitham Alhaddad will be recognized as the SBDC Counselor of the Year.  Antonio (Tony) Vindell will be recognized as Small Business Journalist of the Year.  Sam Olivarez will be recognized as Small Business Exporter of the Year. These individuals promote their community by providing assistance to small business owners. 

The U.S. SBA and the UTPA SBDC congratulate the U.S. SBA’s 2005 District Award Winners and thank our resource partners and Rio Grande Valley banks for co-sponsoring the event and supporting and promoting small businesses.

The UTPA SBDC offers technical assistance services to existing and potential entrepreneurs. SBDC counselors free, confidential one-to-one business counseling, business training, and business plan assistance. For additional information, please call the SBDC at (956) 292-7535 at the SBDC's main offices located at the UTPA Annex, 2412 S. Closner, in Edinburg.