The Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) will be hosting the 2016 Small Business Administration Awards at its 23rd Annual Enterprise Business Awards Luncheon, part of the Arizona Small Business Conference on May 5th.

The event will be at the Arizona Biltmore at  2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix 85016 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The luncheon is an upbeat, celebratory event showcasing the many successes of remarkable Arizona small businesses.  This year’s line-up of keynote speakers will include Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Member of President Obama’s Cabinet.

“It is such an honor to host these awards once again for the SBA,” said Rick Murray, ASBA CEO.  “Recognizing the success of small businesses during this event is exciting for ASBA because it further reinforces our efforts for the small business community.”

The Enterprise Business Awards Luncheon is part of the full-day event, Arizona Small Business Conference.  The event will consist of an armchair discussion featuring Maria Contreras-Sweet and two former contestants of the hit show Shark Tank, educational break-out sessions, and a networking collaborative mixer in the evening.

Award Recipients

  • 2016 Small Business Person of the Year – Paul Smiley, Sonoran Technology & Professional Services, LLC
  • 2016 Woman-Owned Small Business Advocate of the Year – Angela Cody-Rouget, Major Mom
  • 2016 Veteran Small Persona Champion of the Year – Eli Crane, Bottle Breacher
  • 2016 7(a) Small Business Lender of the Year – Greg de Jesus, Wells Fargo SBA Lending
  • 2016 Small Business Exporter of the Year – Rita Vigil Ferguson & Gregory Ferguson, Merit Engineering & Equipment Company
  • 2016 Small Business Development Center of Excellence – Tracy Mancuso, Northland Pioneer College Small Business Development Center
  • 2016 Micro Lender of the Year – Jose Martinez, Prestamos Small Business Lending
  • 2016 Minority-Owned Small Business Champion of the Year – Cecilia Mata, All Source Global Management, LLC
  • 504 Lender of the Year – Gary Molenda, Business Development Finance Corporation