The Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (NWI SBDC) announces the winners for the 20th Annual Entrepreneurial Excellence, or E-Day, Awards. The 20th annual event includes a day-long Leadership Symposium, the E-Day Awards Luncheon during which the winners will be recognized, and a cocktail reception to wrap up the day. Mitch Lowe, president of DVD rental company Redbox, will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon.
“This class of winners represents the true entrepreneurial spirit in Northwest Indiana,” said LeAnn McCrum, Regional Director of the NWI SBDC. “A combination of tenacity and innovation makes these winners great entrepreneurs.”
The award winners will be officially recognized at the E-Day Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m on Nov. 17 at the Radisson Star Plaza in Merrillville. The Leadership Symposium will be from 7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. with the cocktail reception from 3:30p.m. to 5 p.m. Attendees can choose to attend the Symposium, Awards Luncheon and the cocktail reception for $140, or just the Awards Luncheon for $40.
The winners will join the E-Day Alumni Club, an exclusive group of past winners. For more information on the event, to attend, or for sponsorship information, visit www.edayleaders.com or call (219) 226-0300.
Winners:
Small Business Person of the Year: George S. Kucka, President & CEO, Fairmeadows Home Health Center, Inc.
Entrepreneurial Success: Kurt Minko, President & CEO, Retro-Tech Systems, Inc.
Emerging Business Award: Steve Arndt, Co-Owner & Founder, Above the Tracks LTD. DBA Job-Site Safety
Minority Owned Business of the Year: Pat and Linda Holmes, Owners, Pediatric, Infant & Family Home Health Care Services
Woman Owned Business of the Year: Theresa Valade, President & CEO, Success Trek
Family Owned Business of the Year: Daniel & Laurie Rohder, Owners, Rohder Machine and Tool, Inc.
Small Business Journalist of the Year: Chris Mahlmann, Publisher, ValpoLife and PortageLife
Revolutionary Technology Company of the Year: Frank Szczepanski, CEO, IV Diagnostics
Small Business Financial Advocate of the Year: Gregg Holley, Senior Vice President, Citizens Financial Bank
Client of the Year: Rich Thiel, President, Midwest PGM
Lifetime Achievement Award: John Barney, President & CEO, Barney Enterprises
About the NWI SBDC: The mission of the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center is to have a positive and measurable impact on the formation, growth, and sustainability of small businesses and develop strong entrepreneurial communities in the Northwest Indiana region.
About NWIBQ: Northwest Indiana Business Quarterly, May Communications Group, LLC is pround to be a media sponsor for this 20th annual E-day event honoring NWI's entrepreneurs.
