TOLEDO – The U. S. Small Business Administration’s Northern Ohio District Office has honored Thomas Uhler, President & CEO of TTL Associates, Inc., as its 2012 Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year.  This award honors an individual who has fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans of the U.S. armed forces.  Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur joined SBA in presenting this award to Mr. Uhler as part of the annual observance of National Small Business Week, May 20-26, 2012. 

“The SBA is proud to honor Thomas Uhler as a true champion of veteran small business ownership” said Gil Goldberg, District Director of SBA’s Northern Ohio District Office. “Not only is Tom a service disabled business owner in his own right, but he is dedicated to providing the counseling, advocacy, advice and support to other veterans looking to pursue small business ownership.”

Mr. Goldberg noted that nominees for this award are judged on several criteria, including showing demonstrated success in obtaining support within the community for the establishment of veteran-owned small businesses.  Mr. Uhler has worked with returning veterans from both Afghanistan and Iraq interested in starting their own businesses to obtain assistance in building their business plan.   In addition, Mr. Uhler serves as the Ohio Outreach Coordinator for the Employers Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), where he educates many returning veterans on opportunities for starting their own business.  Mr. Uhler was nominated for this award by Scott Deniston, Executive Director of the National Veteran Small Business Coalition.

The President of the United States designates one week each year as National Small Business Week in recognition of the small business community’s contribution to the American economy.   This celebration honors the estimated 27.5 million small businesses in America that employ half of the country's private work force, create 65 percent of net new jobs annually, and generate a majority of American innovations.  To obtain contact information on Mr. Uhler, or for more information about Small Business Week, please call SBA’s Cleveland District Office at (216) 522-4180, ext. 215.