CLEVELAND – Doris Young, Owner and School Director of Great Lakes Truck Driving School, Inc. of Columbia Station, Ohio, has been named the 2010 Small Business Person of the Year by the Cleveland District Office of the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

"Ms. Young and her company exemplify the critical role that small businesses play in growing our economy through the creation of jobs,” said Gil Goldberg, District Director of SBA’s Cleveland District Office. “It is with great pride that we offer our congratulations to Ms. Young on this well-deserved honor.”

Mr. Goldberg noted that nominees for this award are judged on several criteria, including growth in number of employees; increase in sales and/or unit volume; strong current and past financial reports; innovativeness of product or service offered; response to adversity; and contributions by nominee to aid community-oriented projects.

Brian Reis, President and CEO of Ballreich’s Potato Chips of Tiffin, has also been honored as recipient of the Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year Award. This award honors a family-owned and operated business which has been passed on from one generation to the next and has a minimum 15-year track record of success. Mr. Reis is a third generation operator of this well known potato chips and snack manufacturer, which was founded in 1920.

“It is always gratifying to honor family-owned firms that are passed on from generation to generation,” noted Mr. Goldberg.

SBA has also honored several small business advocates with SBA Champion Awards. Awardees are individuals that have used their professional expertise or personal talents to further the understanding and awareness of small business. These individuals have taken an active role in creating opportunities for small business. This year’s Champion awardees are:

• Financial Services Champion of the Year: John Kropf, Executive Director, Growth Capital Corp.

• Minority Small Business Champion of the Year: Stacey Banks-Houston

• Small Business Development Center Service Excellence and Innovation Award:
  Mary Ann Jasionowski, Director, The Ohio SBDC at Summit Medina Business Alliance

Finally, SBA recognizes Jacqueline Renee George, President of Canton Data Print, Inc., as the runner-up Small Business Person of the Year.

“This year we are delighted to recognize these awardees significant contributions to the small business community of Northern Ohio”, Mr. Goldberg added. “They exemplify small business at its best.”

Every year since 1963, the President has proclaimed National Small Business Week to recognize the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America. Each year, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes this special impact made by outstanding small business owners, and by champions of America’s entrepreneurs.

In 2010, National Small Business Week will honor the estimated 27.2 million small businesses in America. Small businesses are major contributors to the strength of the American economy. More than half of Americans either own or work for a small business. They also create 60-80 percent of new jobs in the country. Small businesses drive innovation, create 21st century jobs and increase U.S. competitiveness.

To obtain contact information on any of our Small Business Week Awardees, or for more information about SBA, please call SBA’s Cleveland District Office at (216) 522-4180, ext. 215.