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SBA Syracuse District Office 2008 MED Week Award Winners
The SBA Syracuse District Office recognized three winners in celebration of National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week at the 2008 Albany Matchmaker & Expo at The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center on September 5. Held annually since 1983, MED Week recognizes minority businesses' contributions to the nation's economy. In this year's proclamation, President George W. Bush urged all Americans to join together in honoring minority entrepreneurs across the country in appropriate observances. The SBA Syracuse District Office winning minority entrepreneurs were selected for their company's growth in sales and employees, success in government contracting, and community involvement.
The 8(a) Graduate of the Year Award Winner for 2008 is James Jordan, president & CEO of Omega QSE, Inc. The SBA’s Section 8(a) Business Development Program is a nine year program that provides assistance to foster the growth and development of small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. After graduating from the SBA 8(a) Program in 2006, Omega QSE Inc. has grown into one of Central New York’s largest minority-owned construction, contracting and maintenance firms, averaging over $7.7 million in sales in the previous three years and employing 57 people in their Syracuse and Watertown locations. Omega QSE, Inc. is a multi-faceted service and construction management corporation specializing in Construction Management, General Construction, Renovation Projects and building maintenance. James has led his small business in winning contracts with many branches of the military, such as the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air National Guard and the Army Corps of Engineers.
The Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award Winner for 2008 is Antonio Abrantes, managing member of Cutting Edge Group, LLC. Antonio has led his firm in successful competition for numerous contracts, ranging from the NYS Dormitory Authority and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to the Army, Navy, USGS, Army Corp of Engineers and the National Park Service. With the management of Antonio Abrantes, Cutting Edge Group, LLC has developed a profitable network of procurement partners to provide design and building services, heavy civil construction services, and trenchless technologies. Located in Lake George, Cutting Edge Group has grown to 17 employees and averaged more than $5.6 million in sales for the past three years.
The Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award Runner Up for 2008 is Tony Baird, president & CEO of Tony Baird Electronics, Inc. A service-disabled veteran, Tony started his small business three years ago in Syracuse and has been an active SBA 8(a) participant for the past two years. His success in winning contracts is remarkable for such a young company-the largest single contract won was worth over $2.3 million. Tony Baird Electronics, Inc. provides electronic components for government and commercial contracts, including contract administration, supply chain oversight and information technology services. Under Tony Baird’s leadership, TBE has grown to three employees and over $8 million in sales in 2007.
“With enthusiastic support from procurement partners like we have here today, the future for minority-owned small businesses is brighter than ever before. I’m proud of the entrepreneurs we recognize today and the role SBA had in their success,” praised Bernard J. Paprocki, SBA Syracuse district director at the 2008 Albany Matchmaker & Expo.
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