E-Day Marks Entrepreneurs, Champions Making Impact

nwi-sbdcThe Northwest ISBDC will welcome the 2014 class of honorees at its 23rd annual Entrepreneurial Excellence Awards (E-Day) luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 12 at the Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, 800 E. 81st Ave.

The event is open to the public and includes the awards presentation as well as keynote speaker Ross Pangere, owner and president of The Ross Group Inc. Tickets are $40 and may be purchased by visiting www.edayleaders.com/luncheon.Table sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact the NW-ISBDC offices at (219) 644-3513 or northwest@isbdc.org

“As we continue the tradition of celebrating our region’s business community, we look forward to marking our winners’ impact and achievements at our annual event,” said Lorri Feldt, NW-ISBDC regional director.

The 2014 E-Day winners include:

  • Small Business Person of the Year: Larry Kondrat, Calumet Testing Services/Calumet Welding Center, Griffith
  • Entrepreneurial Success of the Year: Jim Harting, Margo Warnke and Ray McMillan, Pyro Industrial Services Inc., Portage
  • Emerging Business of the Year: Terry Florida, Midwest Construction Services LLC, St. John
  • Minority-Owned Business of the Year: Dr. Jorge A. Benavente, Benavente Eyecare, Munster
  • Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business of the Year: Dave Smith, Ridgeway Petroleum Inc., multiple locations
  • Small Business Journalist of the Year: Leanne Hoagland-Smith, author and columnist, Valparaiso
  • Garry Bradley Small Business Advocate of the Year: Dr. Subir Bandyopadhyay, Indiana University Northwest, Gary
  • Women in Business Champion: Julie Olthoff, Via Marketing, Merrillville
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Bob Urschel, Urschel Labs, Valparaiso
  • NW-ISBDC Client of the Year: Carmella Saraceno, Miller Beach Market Place, Gary

Serving seven counties in the region, the NW-ISBDC offers no-cost assistance for entrepreneurs starting or expanding their businesses. Through one-on-one consulting, the NWI SBDC helps guide small businesses toward their goals by offering referrals, workshops, training opportunities and other essential business tools. It is funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Small Business Administration, the State of Indiana and other local partners.

For more information, visit www.nwisbdc.org