The state's best in small business were recognized during the 2011 SBA Rhode Island Salute to Small Business. The annual event honored an unprecedented ten award winners including one national and five regional winners. The award recipients were:
SMALL BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR
Kathleen Devlin, Owner
All About Home Care, LLC
Middletown
JEFFREY BUTLAND FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND
Samuel Sinel, Vice President
Berger & Company Recycling, Inc.
Pawtucket
SBA YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND
Jay Gotra, CEO
VMS Alarms
Warwick
VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND
James Lavoie, CEO
Rite-Solutions, Inc.
Middletown
WOMEN IN BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND
Juana Horton, President and CEO
Horton Interpreting Services, Inc.
Providence
MINORITY SMALL BUSINESS CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
RHODE ISLAND AND NEW ENGLAND
Sandra McNamara, President
CONTEXT Translations and Consulting
North Scituate
FINANCIAL SERVICES CHAMPION OF THE YEAR
Doris Blanchard, Consultant
DB Consulting
Bristol
RHODE ISLAND SBA DISTRICT DIRECTOR AWARD
Dr. Irving Schneider, President, Providence Campus
Johnson & Wales University
JOSEPH G.E. KNIGHT AWARD FOR ENTREPRENEURIAL EXCELLENCE
Joseph Baginski, President
Professional Ambulance
Providence
PHOENIX AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SMALL BUSINESS DISASTER RECOVERY
James V. Silvestri, President
Westerly Auto Parts Corporation
Westerly
