WASHINGTON, D.C. – Administrator Hector V. Barreto of the U.S. Small Business Administration today awarded SBA Champion Awards to nine small business owners and small business backers from across the country in recognition of their outstanding achievements on behalf of small business. The awards were presented at a luncheon event at SBA Expo ’05, the
agency’s three-day conference celebrating National Small Business Week.

“Today we are honoring people who are among the true champions of small business: lenders, nonprofit advocates, and business owners whose unflagging efforts have provided significant support to small businesses in their communities, their states and across the country,” said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. “They provide the tools, the information and the support that small businesses need to become successful, and their hard work helps create an environment in which the spirit of entrepreneurship can flourish.”

There are nine national Champion Award winners. The award winners are recognized for their efforts and excellence in many different aspects of small business. SBA Champions can be but are not limited to, small business owners, supporters of small business, women, minorities, families, exporters, journalists, veterans, or young entrepreneurs.