WARWICK, RI — The U.S. Small Business Administration honored the 2018 Rhode Island Small Business Award winners May 11 at the “Salute to Small Business” luncheon on Friday, May 11, at Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln, including Doctor’s Choice and Jade Manufacturing in Warwick.
In keeping with tradition, Governor Raimondo proclaimed the week of May 6 – May 12, “Rhode Island Small Business Week.” This year’s winners include 21 small business owners across 14 distinct award categories, including two Warwick businesses:
SBA Awardees
Small Business Person of the Year – Kelly Mendell, President of MIKEL (Middletown)
National Subcontractor of the Year – David Evans, President of Evans Capacitor Co. (East Providence)
New England Financial Services Champion – Buck Harris, V.P. of Community Lending, Community Investment Corporation (Providence)
New England Veteran-Owned Small Business – John Shepard, CEO of Veterans Assembled electronics (Providence)
New England Woman-Owned Small Business – Carol Dancer, President of Absorbent Specialty Products (Cumberland)
RI District Director Award – Posthumously Cheryl Watkins Snead, CEO of Banneker Industries (North Smithfield)
RI Small Business Exporter – AVTECH Software: Michael Sigourney, CEO; Anne Sigourney, CFO; Richard Grundy, President & COO (Warren)
RI Small Business Manufacturer – Donald Boyle, President of Jade Manufacturing Company (Warwick)
RI Microenterprise – Nancy Warner, Owner of The Worm Ladies of Charlestown (Charlestown)
RI Minority-Owned Small Business – Alba Rios, Owner of Tienda Alinary (Central Falls)
RI Young Entrepreneur – Johnny Luo M.D., President of Doctor’s Choice (Warwick)
RI Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Small Business – Gil’s Appliances: Lisa Sienkiewicz,
Co-owner; Gail Parella, Co-owner (Bristol)
RI Home-Based Small Business – Stony Hill Cattle Company: Kim Coulter, William Coulter, Nina Luchka, Josh Coulter; Partners (Charlestown)
Joseph G.E. Knight Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence – Christine Francis, Owner of Carmen & Ginger (Providence)
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