Five clients of the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) have been named Georgia District award winners by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as part of National Small Business Week, which runs May 4-10.
For the past 60 years, the president of the United States has celebrated National Small Business Week, recognizing the vital contributions of America’s small business owners. This year’s Georgia District winners will be honored at the SBA’s National Small Business Week kick-off and awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., and at a ceremony hosted by the SBA’s Georgia office in Atlanta on May 8.
All of this year’s Georgia District award winners have utilized UGA’s educational services for small businesses and entrepreneurs and were nominated by UGA SBDC faculty members.
Patrick Wells, owner of Piedmont Landscape Management, a commercial landscape, design, installation, and maintenance company serving the Central Savannah River Area.
“As a small business owner, it’s natural to compare yourself to your peers, constantly striving to outdo other companies and become an industry leader,” said Wells. “This award is a recognition of all the hard work that I, and more importantly our team, have put in. It’s proof that people are noticing, and there’s a genuine excitement around our progress. The sky’s the limit.”
Talha Faruqi, president, and Zaheer Faruqi, CEO, of Aventure International Aviation Services, LLC, an Atlanta-based supplier of commercial and military aviation parts and provider of component repair management services.
“This SBA recognition for Aventure provides an extra level of assurance to our foreign customers,” said Faruqi. “They know when they make first contact with us that they are dealing with an award winning, successful company who has been vetted by SBA and honored as an Exporter of the Year.”
William (Will) Ozier, CEO and owner of Ozier Apparel in Carrollton, a leading provider of custom apparel specializing in corporate wear, custom T-shirts, and spirit wear since 1985.
“Of course, any recognition for our hard work is always appreciated, but receiving an award from a well-respected institution like the SBA makes it extra special,” said Ozier. “It validates the journey we’ve been on and the efforts we’ve put in, and it serves as a powerful motivator for us to continue striving for excellence.”
Lee Pinnell, co-owner and managing partner of Clinic Drug Store, Inc., a 97-year-old, family-owned and independently operated drug store and pharmacy serving Sumter County at three locations.
“This SBA Award inspires a lot of pride in what we have accomplished. It’s a big honor to be recognized by customers and community leaders – and amongst other business across Georgia,” said Pinnell.
Stewart Ward, president and owner of Quality Outdoors in Valdosta, which specializes in landscaping and landscape design for residential and commercial outdoor spaces.
“The award makes me proud of my team,” said Ward. “It feels good for them to see the recognition of their hard work. It means a lot to them. I could not have gotten anywhere without them.”
For More Information: University of Georgia SBDC | (706) 542-2762
All programs of the UGA SBDC are open to the public on a non-discriminatory basis. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least two weeks in advance.
Funded in part through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The University of Georgia
Small Business Development Center
382 East Broad Street
Athens, GA 30602-5412
P: (706) 542-2762
