Small Business Leader Award Recipients

The Small Business Leaders Awards are presented at the Annual Small Business Leaders Awards Dinner.  Please contact us to learn more about the nomination criteria and deadline.

2017 Small Business Leader of the Year

Tammany Williams, Celebrate Excellence

2017 Lifetime Achievement Award

Los Barrios Family Restaurants

Small Business Advocate of the Year Geekdom | Lorenzo Gomez, III
Community Service Rob Killen | Kaufman & Killen, Inc.
Business Achievement Tammany Williams | Celebrate Excellence
Business Innovation Tim Kaufeldt | MilTribe
Employee Relations Rick Watson | Surmac, Inc.
New Business Ted Johnson | Johnson Applied Solutions
Veteran-Owned Business Jeff Wells | Wish for Our Heroes
Non-Profit Organization Judith Ann Bell | Providence Place
Franchisee Brandon Grossman | BG Group LLC / BurgerFi
Mentorship George Weron | KFW Engineers + Surveying
Conquering Adversity Bart Koontz | AugustHeart

2016 Small Business Leader of the Year

Robert Fleming, Magnolia Pancake Haus

Small Business Advocate of the Year LiftFund
Community Service Robert Fleming, Magnolia Pancake Haus
Business Achievement Kim Ford, theKFORDgroup
Business Innovation Allison & Alan Pyle, WaterFleet
Employee Relations Wade Cleary, Cleary Zimmermann Engineers
New Business Rudy Quinones, Renown Auto Restoration
Veteran-Owned Business Jeffrey Jaime, Taurean
Non-Profit Organization Elisabeth Reise, Child Advocates San Antonio
Franchisee Cathy Amato, River Sub, LLC
Mentorship Darryl Lyons, PAX Financial Group, LLC
Conquering Adversity Christi & Emilio Soliz, Kings Hwy Brew & Q

2015 Small Business Leader of the Year

Navarra Williams, SAMMinistries

Small Business Advocate of the Year HEB
Lifetime Achievement Sol Schwartz, Sol Schwarts & Associates, P.C.
Community Service Mark Wittig, Wittigs Office Interiors
Business Achievement Julissa Carielo, Tejas Premier Building Contractor, Inc
Business Innovation Morris Miller, XENEX Disinfection Services
Employee Relations Cristina Morales Heaney, U.S. Safety Services
New Business Eric & Casey Whittington, The Whittington Group Strategic Communications
Veteran-Owned Business Jose Perez, Frontline Support Solutions, LLC
Non-Profit Organization Navarra Williams, SAMMinistries
Franchisee Devi Mazumdar, CMIT Solutions of San Antonio NE
Mentorship Doug Nunnelly, F.A. Nunnelly
Conquering Adversity Larry Cochran, IAS Services Group, LLC

2014 Small Business Leader of the Year

Mike Behrend, Chris Behrend, Paul Evans, Green Vegetarian Cuisine

Small Business Advocate of the Year Texas Workforce Commission
Community Service Yadira-Medina Torres, Stepping Stones Pediatric Feeding & Speech Therapy
Career Achievement Gregory Hudson, Genesis Concepts & Consultants
Business Achievement John Aramendia, Aramendia Plumbing, Heating & Air
Business Innovation Doug & Lori Horn, Dough Pizzeria Napoletana, LLC
Employee Relations Manuel Gerardo Rubio, Miracle Body & Paint
New Business Melissa Killen, Network Alliance, LLC
Veteran-Owned Business Bede Ramcharan, Indatatech
Non-Profit Organization Gloria Canseco, San Antonio Christian Dental Clinic

2013 Small Business Leader of the Year

Dr. Dianna Burns-Banks, South Texas Center for Pediatric Care

Small Business Advocate of the Year CPS Energy
Community Service Dale Lewis, Trinity Title of Texas
Career Achievement Rashesh B. Rangrej, American Regional Center, LLC
Business Achievement Amber Lenz, First Texan Realty
Business Innovation Billy Carlisle, Jr., Evapacore, Inc., dba Carlisle Auto Air
Employee Relations John Garcia, Alpha Facilities Solutions
New Business Tommy Galligan, ServPro of Lackland Terrace/Timber Ridge

2012 Small Business Leader of the Year

Larry Pyle, Layla Maus, Alysa Wilson, Gladwin Paint Company

Small Business Advocate of the Year The University of Texas at San Antonio
Community Service Dr. Joseph Rogalinski, Eye-Deal Vision, PA
Career Achievement Douglas F. Carlberg, M2 Global Technology Ltd.
Business Achievement Danny Williams, Williams Supply Company, Ltd.
Business Innovation Dr. Melinda Rodriguez, Access Quality Therapy Services
Employee Relations Mary Reilly-Magee, Love to Swim and Tumble School
New Business Therrall “TJ” Haygood, Confidential Search Solutions

2011 Small Business Leader of the Year

Johnny Hernandez, True Flavors, LLC

Community Service Leanne E. King, SeeKing HR
Career Achievement Dennis E. Karasek, M.D., Spine & Pain Center of San Antonio
Business Achievement Dominick Alongi, Pest Shield Pest Control
Business Innovation Joe A. Ramon, Clean-Way Power Spray
Employee Relations Ana Maria Lecea, Professional Performance Development Group, Inc.
New Business Deb Bolner Prost, It’s 2 Cool, Ltd.

2010 Small Business Leader of the Year

Martin O’Conner, Germaine Laboratories, Inc.

Community Service Janet L. King & Eileen E. Sommer, King & Sommer, LLP
Career Achievement Francisco Suarez-Pella, Green Grass, Inc.
Business Achievement Pamela Potyka Gobel, Ability Pediatric Therapy
Business Innovation Kay Chiodo, Deaf Link, Inc.
Employee Relations Kathy Thalman, K Charles & Co.
New Business Christian Stephen Smithroat, Humble Creek Ranch

2009 Small Business Leader of the Year

Robert “Bob” J. Crittenden, Sr., Project Control

Community Service Louis E. Rowe, P.E., Goetting & Associates
Career Achievement Leslie Lawrence Lentz, Lentz Computer Services
Business Achievement Melanie Kirk, CPA & Teryn Grater, CPA, ATKG, LLP
Business Innovation Alan Weible, Weebz Welding
Employee Relations Andy Hill, Spectrum Association Management, L.P.
New Business Kenneth Drayden, Nubian Solutions, LLC dba Quiznos Subs

2008 Small Business Leader of the Year

Katie Harvey, KGB Texas

Business Achievement Michael Bacon & Marion Lee, Bacon Lee & Associates
Business Innovation Edward Ramirez, AccuMolecular Diagnostics, Inc.
Career Achievement Elisa Chan, UNINTECH Consulting Engineers
Community Service Madeline Anz Slay, Madeline Anz Slay Architecture, PLLC
Employee Relations Scott Barr, Southwest Exteriors
New Business Dr. Bryan M. Dunn & Dr. Brian Fowler, Boerne Urgent Care

2007 Small Business Leader of the Year

Shawn McCormick, Summit DME

Business Achievement David Dunne, Preferred Landscape and Lighting
Business Innovation Vesta Brew, LIFETECHnique
Career Achievement Joe Earl Linson, Chelsea’s Sandwiches of Texas
Community Service Robert McAdams, Carneiro, Chumney & Company, L.C.
Employee Relations Pamela Bain, Bain Medina Bain, Inc.
New Business Katy Mimari, Caden Lane

2006 Small Business Leader of the Year

Kathy Acock, Alpha Building Corporation

Business Achievement Jeanie Wyatt, South Texas Money Management, Ltd
Business Innovation Dr. Casey Fox, BioMedical Enterprises, Inc.
Career Achievement Dr. Thomas Vice, Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital
Community Service Tino Duran, La Prensa
Employee Relations Richard Ojeda, Black Tie Affairs Catering
New Business Dr. Rose Payne and Dr. Ellen Sutherland, Goodnight Pediatrics, P.A.
Young Business Leader Sheridan Chambers, The Denim Group, Ltd.

2005 Small Business Leader of the Year

Carolyn Labatt, Computer Solutions

Business Achievement Deborah Bauer, Drake Commercial Group
Mark Middleman, Middleman Construction
Business Innovation Dr. Larry Miller, VidaCare Corporation
Career Achievement Gerald Dubinski, Cancer Therapy & Research Center
Community Service Ralph Bender, Bender Associates
Employee Relations Craig Noto, S.A. Quality Fence, Ltd
New Business John McFadden, Water 2 Wine, Inc.
Young Business Leader Aric Bostick, Aric Bostick Success Training

2004 Small Business Leader of the Year

June Bratcher, Daisy Tours

Business Achievement Lynn Kuckelman, LK Design Group, Inc.
Brian Eickhoff, Texas Creative
Business Innovation Jack Chisenhall, Vintage Air, Inc.
Career Achievement Rosemary Kowalski, The RK Group
Community Service Don DeCotis, ADECCO Employment Services
Employee Relations Trish DeBerry, Guerra DeBerry Coody
New Business Rob Kaufman, New Balance San Antonio

2003 Small Business Leader of the Year

Bjorn Dybdahl, Bjorn’s Audio & Video Home Theatre

Business Achievement Boone Powell, Ford Powell & Carson Architects
Business Advocacy John Seymore, VIA Metropolitan Transit
Business Innovation Mary Pat Moyer, TEKSA Innovations Corp., INCELL
Career Achievement William Sinkin, Solar San Antonio
Community Service Doug Niznik, Concrete Contractors
Employee Relations Sybel Pici, Pici Co., dba McDonalds
New Business Ron Hicks, Vital Needs

2002 Small Business Leader of the Year

Ray Berend, Padgett, Strateman & Co., LLP

Business Achievement Sam O’Krent, O’Krent’s Abbey Flooring Center
Business Advocacy Wanda Chandler Rohm, Presto Printing
Ruben Saenz, San Antonio Water Systems
Business Innovation Denise Sanchez, Homewerks – Really Cool Stuff for the Home
Career Achievement Jim Matson, Matson Multi-Media
Community Service Ron Acosta, Las Palapas
Employee Relations Ward Dow & Joe Gannon, Ella S.A. Contracting, L.P.
New Business Leader Lara August, Robot

2001 Small Business Leader of the Year

Christine Richardson Prescott, Corporate Travel Planners

Business Achievement Tom Sineni, United Commercial Realty
Business Innovation Jeanette Blount, Jeanette’s Hair & Spa
Career Achievement Robert L. Schonhoff, R. L. Schonhoff Advertising
Community Service Kimberly Marks, Marks Design Group, Inc.
Community Service Kimberly Marks, Marks Design Group, Inc.
Louis Rowe, Goetting & Associates, Inc.
Employee Relations Barry Middleman, MDN Architects
New Business T.J. Connolly, Connolly & Company

2000 Small Business Leader of the Year

Caryn Hasslocher, Fresh Horizons Catering

Business Achievement Alan Sheppard, Convention Decorating Service
Business Innovation Rolando Cuadrado, Sticks & Stones
Community Service Susan Snider, Treehouse Learning Centers
Customer Service Vernon Miller, Absolute Communications
Employee Relations Betty Ann Adams, Riosa Lawncare, Inc.
New Business Robert Ruiz, Dotcom Networking & Computer

1999 Small Business Leader of the Year

Pete Van de Putte, Dixie Flag

Business Achievement George Vaughan, Rehler, Vaughan & Koone
Bob Crittenden, Project Control
Business Innovation Brad DiBaggio, DiBaggio Design
Dr. Judi Craig, Coach Squared – C2
Community Service Paul Overstreet, Overstreet Studios
Linda Valdez, Regnier, Valdez & Associates
Employee Relations Denise Herrera-Wieter, Cutting Edge Communications, Inc.
Vernon Miller, Absolute Communications
New Business Scott Noel, Attorney
James Fredericks, Intellidyne

1998 Small Business Leader of the Year

Richard Berchin, Creative Chocolates

1996 – 1997: Pride in Progress Awards

Business Achievement Nancy Jeffreys, Nancy J’s Gift Services, Inc.
Business Innovation Louis Rowe, Goetting & Associates, Inc.
Community Service Bill Altman, Altman Shopper Publications
Employee Relations Clark Mosely, Phoenix Staffing