The SBA Syracuse District Office celebrates National Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week at the annual Albany Matchmaker & Expo in September. Held annually since 1983, MED Week recognizes minority businesses' contributions to the nation's economy. The SBA Syracuse District Office winning minority entrepreneurs are selected for their company's growth in sales and employees, success in government contracting, and community involvement.

    SBA Syracuse District Office 2009 MED Week Award Winner
   

2009 Minority Small Business Person of the Year Man Mohan Jaggi (l.) and SBA Syracuse District Director Bernard J. Paprocki.

The Minority Small Business Person of the Year Award Winner for 2009 is Man Mohan Jaggi, founder of M.J. Engineering & Land Surveying, P.C. (MJ) 30 years ago with just two employees. With his leadership, the Clifton Park-based company expanded from civil engineering services to offer structural and environmental engineering, architecture, construction inspection, landscape architecture, land surveying, and 3D laser scanning services. As a current SBA 8(a) firm, MJ now employs 58 professionals. The company’s participation in the 8(a) business development program enabled it to better compete against nationwide firms and successfully win government contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Under this contract, MJ has provided architecture and engineering services on over 25 projects at Fort Drum, West Point, Fort Dix, Fort Hamilton, and Picatinny Arsenal.

Mr. Jaggi’s company was one of the first in the nation to use laser scanning technology to develop a true-to-scale image of all surfaces and objects and has now used scanning services on over 100 projects. Some projects for which MJ has successfully used laser scanning include the airfield at Fort Drum, the historic Cadet Chapel at West Point, and West Point’s historic Mahan Hall. MJ recently won an award of excellence from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) for 3D laser scanning of the Bronx-Queens Expressway, including the unique triple cantilever structure.

The company’s philosophy of giving back to the local community has been ingrained since the beginning. Over the years, MJ has performed pro-bono work for projects ranging from the Saratoga PLAN community group to the preservation of the historic Dix Bridge at Hudson Crossing Park. The company is also active in the annual Future City Competition for 7th and 8th grade students that fosters interest in engineering, math and science through hands-on, real-world applications. MJ also participates in the annual GHI Corporate Challenge, fundraisers for the American Cancer Society, Habitat for Humanity and Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Perhaps most importantly, Mr. Jaggi knows that his people are the company’s biggest asset – not just the staff – but also the many small businesses that they have mentored and subcontracted with.  MJ understands the importance of using small and minority-owned businesses and strives to exceed all goals on contracts whenever possible. Mr. Jaggi knows that there is more to being successful than just dollars and cents. He says, “Of course I have always wanted to be a successful business owner, but I want people to look back on me for being trustworthy and ethical, for taking care of my employees and improving the world we live in.”