Please come learn from SBA's North Florida and South Florida District staff during the Florida 8(a) Alliance Annual Conference 2016 in Orlando June 6th and 7th. Contact sba.gov/florida/north for more information and for a conference agenda!
 | | Alabama District Office Thomas Todt, District Director |
Two Alabama District employees celebrated service anniversaries recently. District Counsel William Howell was recognized for 35 years of service and Lead Lender Relations Specialist L. D. Ralph was recognized for 25 years of service. They were presented with their service awards by District Director Tom Todt. We congratulate these two employees of the District Office for their outstanding service.
L -R: L. D. Ralph, Lead Lender Relations Specialist, Tom Todt, District Director, Bill Howell, District Counsel
 | | North Florida District Office Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, District Director |
| The NATIONAL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR, Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc. of Newberry, FL pose for a photo with SBA Administrator, Maria Contreras-Sweet; Mark Cuban, Owner of the Dallas Mavericks; and Associate Administrator for the Office of International Trade, Eileen Sanchez during the 2016 National Small Business Week celebration in Washington, D.C. | |  |
The North Florida District Office celebrated Small Business Week locally at 2 events honoring winners in the North Florida district.
| The team at Endoscopy Replacement Parts, Inc. and the winners of the NATIONAL EXPORTER OF THE YEAR AWARD pose for a picture during the Small Business Week ceremony in Jacksonville, Florida.
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Pictured above L to R: Mark Hartnett, VP of Global Business Development; David Bello, Sr., Founder and CEO; and David Bello, Jr., General Manager
The NFDO also participated in a private Small Business Week luncheon ceremony in Orlando, Florida to celebrate the successes of 3 area business owners. The event was attended by over 150 people. Several past winners including Waymon Armstrong, CEO of Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc., and the 2010 National Small Business Person of the Year also attended the event.
 | | Pictured L to R: Mike Myhre, CEO and Director of the Florida Small Business Development Center; Eunice Choi, Regional Director, SBDC at the University of Central Florida; and Gilbert Colón, Deputy District Director, SBA North Florida District Office. |
Pictured above L to R: Sarah Blake, President, Elipsis Engineering and Consulting and the 2016 District and State Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year;Gabriel Ruiz, LTC. USA (Ret.), President Advanced IT Concepts, Inc. and the 2016 District Minority-Owned Small Business Person of the Year; Sunil Tarneja, President, Architectural Aluminum Techniques and the 2016 District Small Business Person of the Year; and Eunice Choi, SBDC Regional Director.
Thank you SCORE Volunteers! The North Florida Score Chapter Chairs recently met to discuss achievements and future plans. Annette Paulson, SBA Economic Development Specialist represented the North Florida District Office in the meeting. SCORE is partnering with the North Florida Distrcit to present a series of Encore Entrepreneur events throughout summer.
Pictured above from left to right: Jeff Turner, Chairman, Jacksonville Score Chapter; Lois Perry, Chairwoman, Orlando Score Chapter; Dick Meyer, Vice Chairman, Orlando Score Chapter; Carol Wheatley, Chairwoman, Space Coast; Chuck Kircoaf, Board Member, Citrus County Score Chapter; Annette Paulson, EDS, North Florida District Office; Tom Hellman, Chairman, Volusia/Flagler Score Chapter; Roger Leverton, Score District Director, North-Central Florida; Candice Stennett, Director of Marketing, National Score Office;Don Gorenberg, Chairman, Gainesville Score Chapter; Joe Elias, Chairman, Mid-Florida Score Chapter; and Bill Pray, Vice Chairman, Jacksonville Score Chapter.
 | | South Florida District Office Francisco "Pancho" Marrero |
The SBA South Florida District has the great advantage of being home to the World Business Resource Network, a daily, internet-based radio platform dedicated to promoting economic development, business opportunities and trends, and entrepreneurial growth in South Florida, the State of Florida, the United States, and abroad.
The network founders Pete De La Torre, "The Voice of Business" in South Florida, and Sally Villalba co-host the "Let's Talk SBA", a weekly segment of the "Pete Biz Radio" program that showcases SBA initiatives, educational opportunities, leaders and partners in South Florida and from around the country. Notable SBA guests have included the SBA Administrator and Deputy Administrator, the Region IV Administrator Cassius Butts, Tameka Montgomery from the Office of Entrepreneurial Development just to name a few.
WBRN is also the winner of the 2016 SBA Small Business Media Advocate of the Year Award for both South Florida and the State of Florida. Because of their tireless advocacy on behalf of small businesses, Pete and Sally have won this prestigious award for two consecutive years. We are pleased and proud to be a part of the programming at WBRN since their efforts align with SBA's mission to help entrepreneurs start, grow, and succeed in business. Listen live and access archived shows including "Let's Talk SBA" segments at: www.WBRNMiami.com.
L-R: Orlando Espinosa, Emineo Media; Tailleen Arias, Doral Conservatory; Althea Harris; Moises Montañez, Jonel Hein; Front L-R: Sally Villalba & Pete de la Torre.
 | | Georgia District Office Terri Denison, District Director |
SBA National Ombudsman, Earl Gay, will be hosting a Regulatory Fairness Roundtable at the Savannah Civic Center, Monday June 6, 2016, 11:00 am-1:00 pm. The role of the National Ombudsman is to promote a level playing field for small businesses by facilitating practical and timely resolution of federal regulatory enforcement issues, such as repetitive audits or investigations, excessive fines, penalties, threats, retaliation or other unfair federal enforcement actions. This roundtable offers small businesses and business advocacy organizations an opportunity to provide in-person, real time input on regulatory fairness situations and issues as well as information on resources and assistance available through the SBA and other federal agencies.
To register to attend this event, please email ombudsman@sba.gov or call (202) 205-2417 by Thursday, June 2. For more information about the Office of the National Ombudsman, visit www.sba.gov/ombudsman .
 | | Kentucky District Office Ralph Ross, District Director |
Kentucky CEO among 2016 National Small Business Person of the Year honorees- Flavorman founder and CEO David Dafoe of Kentucky was among U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honorees for 2016 National Small Business Person of the Year awards. Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet made the announcement May 2 in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. where Dafoe earned third runner-up. Dafoe was named Kentucky's Small Business Person of the Year in April, moving him on to this national award. His business, Flavorman, utilized three SBA loans to grow and relocate near downtown Louisville, kick starting a revitalization of the area. He was among regional winners from 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
"You don't get to this point in a company without the best people working beside you," said Dafoe. "And in Flavorman's case, it couldn't be more true."
Dafoe founded Pro-Liquitech International in 1992 after being employed at Brown-Forman Beverage Company, where he developed highly successful new products. Pro-Liquitech evolved into Flavorman, an international custom beverage production company. Its impressive client list includes internationally known brands and some of the world's largest distilleries. In 2012, David founded Flavorman's sister company, Distilled Spirits Epicenter, on the Flavorman campus. Distilled Spirits Epicenter is made up of three distinct and collaborative parts: Moonshine University, Grease Monkey Distillery and Challenge Bottling. Flavorman and Distilled Spirits Epicenter currently have 30 full time and four part-time employees.
Honorees included, "small business owners who represent the best of the best and showcase daily their entrepreneurial spirit and what it takes to be successful in today's evolving and competitive business environment," according to Sweet. The national overall winner was #WHO# of #WHERE#.
Flavorman founder and CEO David Dafoe of Kentucky was among U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) honorees for 2016 National Small Business Person of the Year awards.
 | | Mississippi District Office Janita Stewart, District Director |
On the evening of Tuesday, May 3rd, SBA Mississippi District Director Janita Stewart and staff held its 2016 Small Business Week Award Reception. The ceremony, held at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson, MS, brought together an audience of approximately 150 attendees to celebrate award winning Mississippi small business entrepreneurs, champions, outstanding lenders and a hero in the aftermath of a disaster. The event also underscored the economic impact entrepreneurship, the lending community, resource partners and a network of others provide in Mississippi.
L-R: Financial Services Champion Frederick Crispen of Celtic Bank, Panama City, FL; Small Business Exporter Dr. Marco Moran of Dewmar International BMC, Inc, Jackson, MS; Women Small Business Champion Dorothy Wilson of DWilson and Associates, Gulfport, MS; Gary Reed, MS Deputy District Director; Small Business Person of the Year Michael Pornovets of Everything Kayak, Gulfport, MS; Janita Stewart, MS District Director; Minority Small Business Champion Dr. Sidney Rushing of Gaston Point Community Development Corp., Gulfport, MS; Veterans Small Business Champion Natalie Guess of Magnolia Business Alliance, Diamondhead, MS; Sue Stidham of Winona Main Street/Montgomery County Chamber (standing in for the Young Entrepreneurs winners Kyle and Regan Cravens of Allen's Fine Jewelry, Winona, MS; (absent from photo) Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery Mayor William A. Hill of the City of Louisville, MS.
 | | First Financial Bank was celebrated as "Top Loan Volume" Lender of the Year. Photo: L-R: Gary Reed, Michael Barnes, Ben Chandler and Janita Stewart |
| Community Bank of Mississippi was also celebrated as "Top Dollar" Lender of the Year. Photo: L-R: Gary Reed, David Hughes, Thomas Truhett, Jennifer Moore, Monica Cook, Brad McGee and Janita Stewart | |  |
 | | Three Rivers Local Development Company, Inc. was named as "Top Dollar Certified Development Company"
Photo: L-R: Gary Reed, Bud Homan and Janita Stewart |
| Central Mississippi Development Company, Inc. was named as "Top Loan Volume Certified Development Company"
Photo: L-R: Gary Reed, Larry Anderson and Janita Stewart | |  |
 | | North Carolina District Office Lynn Douthett, District Director |
2016 Small Business Week Award Winners- On May 5, 2016, SBA North Carolina District Director Ms. Lynn Douthett presented the SBA 2016 Small Business Week awards at the annual luncheon in Raleigh hosted by The Support Center.
Winners included the 2016 North Carolina Small Business Persons of the Year, The Small Business Exporters of the Year and Small Business Advocates.
SBA North Carolina District Director, Lynn Douthett presents 2016 Small Business Week Awards –
Top left: John K. Wyman, Chapel Hill SCORE, 2016 NC Veteran Business Advocate of the Year;
Top right: Ellie McIntire, First Landmark Bank, 2016 NC Women Business Advocate of the Year;
Center left: Lexi Hasapis and Suzy Hrabovsky, CEED Women's Business Center of Fayetteville, 2016 NC Women's Business Center of Excellence;
Center right: Jason Streuli, North Carolina Entrepreneurship Center, University of NC at Greensboro, 2016 NC Minority Business Advocate;
Bottom left: Bellinda Higgins, Stay Online, 2016 NC Small Business Exporter of the Year.
Bottom right: The ownership and management team of North State Aviation, 2016 NC Small Business Persons of the Year.
Neuse River Development Authority Is Now BEFCOR
Business Expansion Funding Corporation (BEFCOR), a non-profit lender formed in 1982 and headquartered in Charlotte, is pleased to announce the merger with Neuse River Development Authority, Inc. of New Bern. The combined staff has over 100 years' experience in SBA 504 lending.
The merged entity, BEFCOR, will continue to be an economic development lender, with a primary focus on delivery of the SBA 504 business loan program in North Carolina and four upstate counties of South Carolina. The SBA 504 program provides fixed asset financing that works in conjunction with financing by traditional lenders such as banks or credit unions. Additionally, BEFCOR will now offer GoldenLEAF loans, which assist businesses in areas that have historically been reliant on the tobacco industry.
BEFCOR will remain headquartered in Charlotte with an expanded regional platform of offices in Raleigh/Durham and New Bern. For more information contact: BEFCOR, 704-414-3001, www.befcor.com.
NC District Office Offers Contracting Workshops Each Month
Did you know that the federal government is the world's largest buyer of goods and services, spending over $600 billion every year? Would you like to find out how your business can access the federal marketplace? Attend either our workshop or webinar each month.
Small Business Certification Workshops are held the second Tuesday of the month. Learn about the various certifications and how to use them to spell out success for your business. Learn how to get certified and why it matters. Held in the district office, the workshop is from 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., 6302 Fairview Rd. Ste. 300, Charlotte NC, 28210. Registration: Erin Connell, 704-344-6590 or erin.connell@sba.gov.
Business Development and Government Contracting Webinars are held the fourth Tuesday of the month. This series covers SBA's contracting programs, plus tools and resources for business development. Topics change monthly. Click here to for details.
 | | South Carolina District Office Elliott Cooper, District Director |
The South Carolina District Office held its 2016 Small Business Awards and Match Maker event at the 13th Annual Salute to Small Business on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 to a sold-out crowd. The Match-Maker had 30 Procurement Agencies & Large Businesses present with 180 attendees and 1,200 individual appointments conducted.
L to R: Carl Faison – Business Opportunity Specialist, Angela Brewer – Veteran Intern, Michael Corp – Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, Elliott Cooper- District Director, William Furman – Senior Area Manager, Gail Newton – Lender Relations Specialist, Susan Chavis – Economic Development Center, Frank Anderson – Lender Relations Specialist, Gregg White – Deputy District Director.
Above photos from the 2016 South Carolina 13th Annual Salute to Small Business: Business Matchmaker
 | | Tennessee District Office John Mallono, Acting District Director |
The Tennessee District Office and its resource partners celebrated National Small Business Week during the first week in May with events in Nashville, Jackson and in several other cities and towns in the Volunteer State.
In Nashville, seven awards in seven categories were presented--- including to Terence Douglas, founder of Alliant Corporation, who was named Tennessee Small Business Person of the Year. Small Business Week also had an international component in Tennessee with an event on May 3 presented by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and attended by the District Office International Trade Officer, featuring tips for small firms doing business with the ASEAN group of Asian nations. SBA's SAM partner, the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, also celebrated Small Business Week on Cinco de Mayo while launching "Negocios 101" a series of workshops with SBA and SCORE participation--in English and Spanish--which will conclude during Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15-October 15. The Nashville SCORE Chapter Chairman, Mike Moody, and the District Office Veterans Business Development Officer (VBDO), David Tiller, both participated in the U.S. Congressman Jim Cooper's annual Veterans Expo on May 10th, with almost 400 Veterans visiting 50 tables and booths of service providers from the local, state and federal level as well as Veterans organizations and charities.
The Tennessee Small Business Development Center (TSBDC) in Memphis hosted a one-day "ReBoot" event on May 18th with 43 attendees, featuring presentations by VBDO David Tiller of the District Office, Bob Seitz and Mark Scott from the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) in Starkville, MS, and George Colgate, Rory Thomas and William Richardson from the Memphis TSBDC. George Colgate and David Tiller were recognized for their two-day "Boots 2 Business" presentations conducted over the last three years at the Millington Naval Support Activity base near Memphis.
The District Office is also planning another Veterans event, the fifth annual, "Services to Those Who Have Served" for June 17th in Johnson City, with Housing & Urban Development, the VA, the TSBDC, and the Tennessee State Department of Veterans Affairs, which will be co-hosted again by U.S. Congressman and Vietnam Veteran, Phil Roe.
