As part of its annual Financial Roundtable Forum held on Aug. 22, the Georgia Minority Business Enterprise Center (GMBEC) recognized the winners of minority firms of the year in manufacturing, construction, service and technology. The winners were TechnoChem, LLC of Atlanta (manufacturer), ARS Mechanical, LLC of Conyers (construction), Caduceus Occupational Medicine of Atlanta (service) and Syntellus Dataworks of Atlanta (technology). ARS Mechanical also won regional minority construction firm of the year, beating out nominees in eight southeastern states.
TechnoChem provides electro deposition and powder coating for the automotive, industrial and aerospace industries; ARS Mechanical is a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) services firm; Caduceus Occupational Medicine provides medical management services related to occupational health; and Syntellus Dataworks is a technology solutions provider.
Lord and Dominion, a corporate housing and relocation company that landed a $3 million contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development shortly after becoming a GMBEC client, was also recognized at the Aug. 22 event with the Minority Business Development Agency Regional Director’s Award.
“This is a tremendous honor for not just the winning companies, but for all Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs),” said Donna Ennis, GMBEC project director. “These companies have worked hard to be successful and are leaders in their industries. I hope this award stands as a symbol of encouragement to all minority business owners to embrace the challenge and help mentor and encourage smaller MBEs.”
The recognition was part of the 25th anniversary of Minority Enterprise Development (MED) activities. MED Week celebrates the achievements of the minority business community and honors outstanding minority business leaders every year who excel in their field of business and demonstrate excellent leadership at the local, regional or national level. Winning firms were chosen based on economic impact, job creation and community leadership.
Approximately 150 participants at GMBEC’s third annual Financial Roundtable Forum learned how to develop successful growth strategies and had the opportunity to hear from CEOs of high-revenue firms such as Steve Ewing of Wade Ford, Woodrow Hall of Diversapack, Rory Sanderson of Sanderson Industries, and Mark Wilson of Ryla Teleservices.
GMBEC’s mission is to provide business and technical assistance that helps emerging and existing minority businesses experience significant growth and sustainability and have a long-term economic impact through the creation of jobs and revenue.
For more information on MBE services offered by Georgia Tech’s Enterprise Innovation Institute, contact Donna Ennis (404-894-2096); E-mail: (donna.ennis@innovate.gatech.edu).
About Enterprise Innovation Institute:
The Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute helps companies, entrepreneurs, economic developers and communities improve their competitiveness through the application of science, technology and innovation. It is one of the most comprehensive university-based programs of business and industry assistance, technology commercialization and economic development in the nation.
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Writer: Nancy Fullbright