PROVIDENCE – The U.S. Small Business Administration announced its 2018 Rhode Island Small Business Award winners Wednesday.
Kelly B. Mendell, president of MIKEL Inc., was awarded the organization’s Small Business Person of the Year award. Mendell joined MIKEL in 2002 before assuming the role of president in 2008.
“I would like to congratulate Kelly Mendell on her selection as Rhode Island Small Business Person of the Year,” said Mark S. Hayward, Rhode Island District director. “Kelly is a shining example of the entrepreneurship here in the Ocean State, and her selection is testament to the exceptional small business community we have here,” he added.
The SBA Small Business Person of the Year award is open to any individual who owns or operates a small business for profit, has been in operation for a minimum of three years, and who has received SBA assistance.
The SBA also announced the following awards:
- New England Women-Owned Small Business: Carol Dancer, president of Absorbent Specialty Products LLC
- Small Business Exporter: Michael Sigourney, CEO and founder, Anne Beaupre Sigourney, chief financial officer, and Rick Grundy, president of AVTECH Software Inc.
- Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence: Christine Francis, ownerof Carmen & Ginger
- New England Financial Services Champion: Buck Harris, vice president of Community Investment Corp.
- Young Entrepreneur: Johnny Luo, president of Doctor’s Choice
- National Subcontractor of the Year: Charles Dewey, CEO of Evans Capacitor Co.
- Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business: Lisa M. Sienkiewicz and Gail Parella, co-owners of Gil’s Appliances
- Small Business Manufacturer: Donald J. Boyle, president of Jade Manufacturing Co.
- Minority-Owned Small Business: Alba Lucia Rios Puerto, owner of Spanish Wholesale Center.
- Home-Based Small Business: Kim M. Coulter, William A. Coulter, Nina L. Luchka and Joshua A. Coulter, partners of Stony Hill Cattle Co.
- New England Veteran-Owned Small Business: John Lindsey Shephard, CEO of Veteran Assembled electronics
- Microenterprise: Nancy Hatch Warner, owner of The Worm Ladies of Charlestown Inc.
The SBA also announced it had awarded Cheryl Watkins Snead, founder, and former president and CEO of Banneker Industries Inc., the Rhode Island District Director Award posthumously.
The Rhode Island Small Business Awards presentation event will be held at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln on May 11.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
