PROVIDENCE – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Rhode Island district office has announced the winners of the 2007 Rhode Island Small Business Awards.
The top award, Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year, goes to Kimberly P. McDonough, Pharm.D., the founder and president of Advanced Pharmacy Concepts in North Kingstown.
The company provides consulting, auditing and operational support to organizations that provide pharmacy benefit programs, and was active in the development of the Medicare Part D drug benefit program.
McDonough launched the business 10 years ago, using an SBA-guaranteed loan and advice from SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business. Since then, Advanced Pharmacy Concepts has grown to 25 employees, and it expects to add more this year.
“I extend my congratulations to Kimberly McDonough, and all of the 2007 Rhode Island Salute to Small Business award winners,” said Mark S. Hayward, the SBA’s district director, adding: “These successful small business owners and advocates help keep our economy growing.”
The other awards, and their recipients, are:
SBA Rhode Island District Director Award: Former R.I. Lt. Gov. Charles J. Fogarty.
Jeffrey H. Butland Family-owned Business of the Year: Benjamin Lupovitz, president of Rhode Island Bureau of Investigation and Protection in Providence.
Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence: Carol Ann Hurley, president and CEO of EBS Econotel Business Systems in East Providence.
Entrepreneurial Success Award: Richard Napolitano, president and CEO of Precision Craft Dental Laboratory in Smithfield.
Home-based Business Champion: Diane Boschetti, executive director of Pawtuxet Valley Chamber of Commerce in West Warwick.
Financial Services Champion: Russell A. Gaston, vice president and business lending manager of Coastway Credit Union.
Women in Business Champion: Inez M. Mello, the director of state and local tax services at Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co. in Providence.
Minority Small Business Champion: Peter C. Wells, managing partner and editor-in-charge of The Providence American.
Small Business Journalist of the Year: Natalie C. Myers, staff writer for Providence Business News.
The winners will be honored during the annual Rhode Island Salute to Small Business – the week of May 21 to 25 – with an awards luncheon at the Potowomut Golf Club in Warwick at noon on Tuesday, May 22.
For more information about the Rhode Island Salute to Small Business, call the SBA’s Rhode Island district office in Providence at 528-4561. Information about the SBA and its programs also can be found at www.sba.gov/ri.
