Susan Baxter
Chair, RI SBA Advisory Council
It doesn’t seem possible that a year has passed since last year’s Salute to Small Business celebration. This year’s theme, “A Century of SuccessWith a Vision for the Future,” captures the enthusiasm, dedication and hard work of the small business owner. Without a doubt it accurately describes the 2000 Rhode Island Small Business Week Award winners. The strength and leadership these entrepreneurs have shown, not only in the operation of their businesses but also in their dedication to the community, is truly an inspiration. The hard work of our Advocate winners has done much to support and promote the state’s small business community.
I am very proud of the outstanding programs developed by the Rhode Island Advisory Council. Each of these programs was developed with the overall community in mind, and with our firm hope that we, as volunteers, would be able to help small businesses.
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The PowerUp! entrepreneurial development program for women continues to be an overwhelming success. My congratulations to April Williams McCrory who chaired the Power Up Committee and to Jean Dionne, Chair of the Women in Business Sub Committee for the tremendous work they have accomplished during these past two years. Because of their efforts, as well as others, over 100 women have graduated from the Power Up! program. The synergy has been so positive that these graduates have established an alumnae. The Advisory Council also welcomes the Center for Women and Enterprise and its new director Carol Malysz. We look forward to supporting their efforts to assist women entrepreneurs as they provide yet another resource to help women succeed in business.
The Rhode Island Minority Enterprise Development Week activities in November were a rousing success. We were very pleased that our MED Week Chair and Rhode Island’s SBA National Advisory Council member, Cheryl Watkins-Snead, was able to host SBA Administrator Aida Alvarez. The Administrator recognized that Rhode Island’s MED Week events are the best in the nation.
I also want to acknowledge the hard work of Mark Deion and the Technology Committee. Their work to provide a first class web-site is shown by the outstanding utilization of the site. Currently, over 40,000 hits a month are registered on www.risba.org. These hits are from all over the world. They are people who are seeking information on how to succeed in business or develop a business plan and individuals who want general information on small business.
Last but not least my thanks for the excellent job done by the Legislative Committee chaired by Cap Willey. Cap and his committee have been very instrumental ensuring that the voice of small business is always heard.
There has been a lot of change during the past year. We said goodbye to Joseph Loddo when he was chosen to be the Chief Financial Officer of the SBA in Washington. Thank you, Joe, for your leadership and the many accomplishments over the six years that you served the state’s small business community as Director of the Rhode Island District Office.
Congratulations to Mark Hayward as he takes over as District Director of the Rhode Island office. Mark is a true friend and supporter of small business and his leadership and expertise as Deputy District Director since 1991 will ensure that the Rhode Island District Office is in good hands as we move into the 21st century.
Rhode Island will again be well represented in Washington D.C. at the National Awards ceremony with Tom Celona, CEO of Thrifty Car Rental, as our Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year and Emily Harrington, Chair of Qualified Resources, Inc., as the national winner of the 2000 SBA Entrepreneurial Success Award. They will be honored in grandeur and style and we are very proud of their personal accomplishments and achievements.
I am pleased to join with the Rhode Island small business community in extending my congratulations to all of the 2000 Rhode Island Salute to Small Business Week Award winners. Their hard work serves to enhance the image of small business in Rhode Island
