New 2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS SUPPLEMENT · 2014. 6. 9. · Page A24 2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS SUPPLEMENT June 9, 2014 ... Miva Merchant Momentum Billing Motive Interactive Inc

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2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS SUPPLEMENT

2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS SUPPLEMENT June 9, 2014www.sdbj.comPage A24

Welcome to San Diego and Imperial Valley

Small Business Week Commemoration

Small Business Week is once again upon us and we are so pleased to invite you to share in this oc-casion. The U.S. Small Business Administration

has been celebrating the perseverance and success of small businesses for more than 51 years. This year in our District, which covers San Diego and Imperial Counties, we are providing recognition to some truly deserving small business owners and small business advocates. These 17 award winners represent the best of a variety of small businesses and acknowl-edge the contribution several individuals have made in helping small businesses get certified, bid on government contracts, de-velop business plans, build advertising and marketing plans and set financial strategies for their company’s expansion.

All of those involved faced and overcame tremendous challenges to build their businesses. They are risk takers who bet everything they had or could borrow on making an idea or a dream come true.

Each of these individuals we are recognizing also believe in “paying it forward” and have strong commitments to helping others and improving the communities in which they live and

work. I hope you will come and learn more about the community service projects in which these companies are involved. These range from sponsoring a local little league team to helping women-owned businesses get started in a sheltered workshop atmosphere to supporting business ownership and hiring disabled veterans.

Our SBA Resource Partners SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Center for International Trade and the SD Procurement and Technical Assistance Center help us help small business owners turn dreams into reality.

Please join us on June 11 to celebrate and congratulate these winners.

Ruben R Garcia SBA District Director San Diego/Imperial Counties 619-246-0433

growth and competitiveness in the global marketplace.

The SBA will continue its dedication to the prosperity of small business owners and entrepreneurs and the outstanding team at the San Diego District Office stands ready to assist.

Congratulations again to all the award winners.

Kind regards,

Donna J. DavisRegional AdministratorU.S. Small Business Administration

Greetings everyone,

I would like to add my enthusiastic congratulations to all the award recipients for the 2014 Small Business Awards for San Diego. This event provides the opportunity for us to

recognize and celebrate the amazing achievements and contri-butions of these remarkable small businesses and key resource partners. Thank you to all the generous supporters who helped make this valuable program possible.

At the SBA, we promise to work diligently for small businesses and entrepreneurs at every stage to provide the access to capital, contracting opportunities and counseling assistance they need to start, grow and thrive. Entrepreneurs and small businesses are not only the economic backbone of the country; they also are the heart and soul of America and the center of our nation’s economic vitality, financial strength, job

2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS SUPPLEMENT June 9, 2014 www.sdbj.com Page A25

Own vs. LeaseDeciding if You Should Own or Lease

Your Real Estate and EquipmentDetermining whether to own or lease your company’s real estate and/or

equipment can be complicated — and you don’t want to make a decision that negatively impacts your organization.

“Typically, if the item has a short life like computers, business owners should consider leasing,” says Santiago “Chico” Perez, SBA sales manager at California Bank & Trust. “If not, and they have the money to put down, buying usually makes more sense and saves money.”

The size of the company doesn’t matter as much as having the necessary down payment, he says. In the past, a lot of small companies just didn’t have that cash. Recent trends, however, show that more businesses today have the cash on hand to buy real estate or equipment.

What are the advantages to owning your commercial real estate?If you own your commercial property, you can eliminate exposure to

market increases for rental expenses. You also are able to use it as a long-term vehicle to build equity in an appreciable asset. The business can control operating costs as they pertain to occupancy expenses, and owning provides a tax deferral to current income through depreciation of the fixed asset.

Banks can offer both owner-occupied financing, as well as multi-family and commercial financing.

Why might it be better for business owners to lease?If you lease real estate, it allows the business and owners to retain capital

for short and midterm expenses. The company has more working capital that can be put to use growing the business, often for higher ROI. If the company is growing rapidly, you also may have additional space needs that require flexibility in location and size.

In addition, any instability and fluctuations in the local real estate market are borne by the landlord.

How can a company know when to buy—or not buy—equipment?It’s better to take ownership for long-term life equipment with little tech-

nology obsolescence, such as office furniture, large manufacturing equip-ment with limited electronics, etc. There also are tax incentives to owning equipment, by way of accelerated depreciation that can benefit a highly prof-itable enterprise.

Keep in mind, however, that if you purchase equipment through own-ership, it requires a higher equity injection, which reduces your working capital to support growth.

Equipment with high technology changes that make it obsolete in a few years, usually less than five, is better to lease. Examples include computers and their accessories as well as electronics. This in turn allows the lessee the ability to return older equipment without a penalty at lease termination. You can work with your business banker to review specific objectives and design a lease that works for your needs. For instance, terms can vary with possible early buyout options available in case the company’s needs change. Also, your lease payments are deductible on your income statement, and they don’t impact the balance sheet if the lease is an operating lease.

Wherever you want to take your business, you’ll need to consult with your banker to find the right solution for your company. That expert fi-nancial guidance is invaluable when weighing the pros and cons of owning versus leasing.

Submitted by California Bank & TrustBy Santiago “Chico” PerezSBA Sales ManagerCalifornia Bank & [email protected]


2014

SAN DIEGO BUSINESS JOURNAL

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FINALISTS

Title Sponsors

Grant Thornton refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd.

Behind every great achievement lies talent, dedication and inspiring perseverance. On behalf of the Grant Thornton professionals who live and work here in San Diego, we are proud to applaud Betsy Johnson for being selected as an up-and-coming leader by the San Diego Business Journal for their 1st Annual Emerging Generation: 25 In Their 20’s event. To see how we can unlock the potential for growth for businesses and organizations here at home and around the world, visit GrantThornton.com.

Instinct says: admire the effort.

Reason says: applaud the achievement.

Thursday, July 10, 2014 • 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.Paradise Point Resort & Spa,1404 Vacation Road, San Diego

Special Awards Reception with hosted hors d'oeuvres and cash barBy Invitation Only

3 Blind Mice Window Coverings Inc.858 Graphics Inc.

ACD Corp.Acme Safety and Supply Corp.

Ad-Juster, Inc.Agile IT, Inc.AIRSIS, Inc.

Airsupply Tools Inc.AKT CPAs and Business

Consultants LLPAlpha Mechanical, Inc.

Anderson Direct MarketingAnderson Plumbing Heating

and Air, Inc.AARE - Andrew Arroyo Real Estate

Atlas General Insurance Services, LLCBaker Electric SolarBekker’s CateringBird Rock Systems

BNoticedBop Design

BuyAutoParts.comCali Bamboo, LLC

Cask, LLC Castle Breckenridge Management, Inc.

Cavignac & AssociatesCentrexIT

Chassis Plans, LLCConsolidated Construction

Services, Inc.Covario, Inc.CPC Strategy

Credit Union Leasing of AmericaD&K Engineering, Inc.

Destination Concepts Inc.Diego & Son Printing, Inc.

Digital Operative, Inc.Dobi & Associates Inc.

Drew FordDynamiCard Inc.

Forward Slope, Inc.Foundation Escrow Company, Inc.

G2 Software Systems, Inc.gap intelligence

General Ledger ResourcesGet 1 Free Magazine LLC

Global Strategic Management Institute Golden Shine Cleaning Agency

Grace Digital, Inc.Great Ecology

GreenRopeGuild Mortgage Company

GUNNAR OptiksHarper Construction Company, Inc.

High Rank Websites, Inc.ICW Group Insurance Companies

iGrad, Inc.Independent Financial Group LLC

Ingenium Innovative Commercial

Environments, LLCInsideUp Inc.

Integrated Associates Inc.Integrated Practice Solutions Inc.

intelliSolutions, inc.Internet Marketing Inc.

Interpreters Unlimited, Inc.J Public Relations, Inc.

Jackson Design & Remodeling, Inc.James M. Morrison

Insurance Services, Inc.KCD Public Relations Inc.

K Motors Inc. dba Toyota of El CajonLa Vita Compounding Pharmacy, LLC

LaCantina Doors Laptops Plus

M2 Consulting CorporationManaged Laboratory Services/

MLS Technology GroupMarine Group Boat Works, LLC

MCT Trading Inc. Mitchell International Inc.

Miva MerchantMomentum Billing

Motive Interactive Inc.Mtell

National Funding Inc.On-site Tech Support

Pacific Sotheby’s International RealtyParadigm Mechanical Corp.

PayLease LLCPayment Logistics

Payne Pest ManagementPeek Packaging Solutions

PhotoBinPRAVA Construction Services, Inc.

Prime Mortgage LoansPriority Moving

Productivity Associates Inc.Proven Solutions, Inc.

Pure Financial Advisors, Inc.R3 Strategic Support Group, Inc.

Recon Environmental, Inc.Reilly Financial Advisors

Reliant FundingRepublic Moving & Storage

Rescue Social Change Group, LLCSCRAM of California, Inc.

SeamgenSentek Global, Inc.

Simply BiotechSKLZ

Sonic Boom WellnessSquare Peg Packaging

and Printing, LLCStone Brewing Co.

Sullivan Solar PowerSuna Solutions

SynteractHCR Inc.T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc.

TGG AccountingThe Cydio Group Inc.

Thompson SearchThunder SEO Titan SEO, Inc.

Total Rebalance ExpertTower Paddle Boards

Toyota of El CajonTransPower

True Champions, Inc.Tuscany Pavers San Diego

UltimoValueUnderground Elephant Vavi Sport & Social Club

Visual Communications Company, LLCWeb Shop Manager

Welk Hospitality Group Inc.Wireless Workforce Inc.

Wright Brothers, Inc.XIFIN Inc.

XL Staffing, Inc.Xpera Group

ZTelco

Ticket price includes a 26-week subscription to the San Diego Business Journal ($15.00 allocated to the subscription). Current subscribers may gift their 26-week subscription to a colleague.

Event Information: Contact the Events Department at 858.277.6359

In Association WithGold Sponsors


George Chandler Leadership AwardJeanette Alessio-Way, Founder, The History Lady

Sponsor: Rod Means, District President, SCORE

Anthony Vigil Small Business Advocacy AwardSudershan Shaunak, Director,

North San Diego Small Business Development CenterSponsor: Anthony Vigil, Retired Deputy District Director, SBA San Diego

District Director’s Environmental Excellence AwardJ. Eric Taylor, CEO, Enalasys Corporation

Sponsor: Carlos E. Figari, Director, Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center

Director’s Award for 8(a) Early GraduationSamuel Flores, President, PKL Services, Inc.

Sponsor: Rosa Rodarte, Lead Business Opportunity Specialist, SBA San Diego

Director’s Award for Business Creativity & GrowthSteven Raketich, Co-Founder, Backyard X-Scapes, Inc. Sponsor: Paul Hollenbach, Counselor, SCORE San Diego

Director’s Award for SBA Mission SupportRod Means, District President, SCORE

Sponsor: Monty Dickinson, Chapter President, SCORE San Diego

Financial Services Champion of the YearDominique Molina, CPA, Co-Founder and President,

The American Institute of Certi� ed Tax Coaches Nominator: Kacey Miller, Child Protective Services Specialist III,

Arizona Department of Economic Services

Minority Small Business Champion of the YearElaine Richardson, Manager of Small Business Development,

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Nominator: Sudershan Shaunak, Director, North San Diego Small Business

Development Center (SBDC)

Small Business Journalists of the YearNeil Senturia & Barbara Bry, Entrepreneurship Columnists,

San Diego Union-Tribune, U-T San DiegoNominator: Cliff Boro, CEO, The Team Group

Veteran Small Business Champion of the YearKaren Linehan, Manager Business Outreach Program, Facilities Planning

& Construction, San Diego Uni� ed School DistrictNominator: Michael Sabellico, VP, San Diego DVBE Alliance Board and

Gregg Torwick, President, Elite SDVOB Network San Diego Chapter

Women In Business Champion of the YearFelena Hanson, President and Founder, Hera Hub, Inc.

Nominator: Dominique Molina, CPA, President, American Institute of Certified Tax Coaches

Minority-Owned Small Business of the YearDeborah Hamilton, President, Teehee Engineering, Inc.

Supported by: American Indian Chamber of Commerce of California

Veteran-Owned Small Business of the YearMichael Bilodeau, Owner/President/CEO,

IO Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.Nominator: Vivian Shimoyama, Regional Executive Director, Southern CA Region

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

Women-Owned Small Business of the YearAnnie Aguilar, President/Principal Engineer, San Dieguito Engineering, Inc.

Nominator: Linda Harasin and Cheryl Brown, Business Advisors, North San Diego SBDC

Small Business Exporter of the Year (San Diego District Winner and SBA Region IX Winner)Paul Thomas, President/Founder, Julian Hard Cider

Nominator: Carrie Brooks, Sr. International Trade Specialist, U.S. Dept. of Commerce/U.S. Commercial Service

Sponsor: Carlos E. Figari, Director, Imperial Valley SBDC

Small Business Person of the Year (Team)John Tyszka, CEO; Chip Prescott, CFO & Steve Patterson, COO,

Precision One Medical, Inc.Nominator: Shane M. Randall, VP/Sr. Relationship Manager,

JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Region IX Small Business Subcontractor of the YearChristopher Pohle, CEO, Tactical Edge

Nominator: Chris Sauceda, Senior Project Manager, IBM

SBA 2014 Small Business Awards Winners

Sponsors


Small Business Person of the Year (Team)John Tyszka, CEO - Chip Prescott, CFO - Steve Patterson, COO

Precision One Medical, Inc.

continued on page A29

SBA 2014 Small Business Awards Winners

Precision One Medical, Inc. owners John Tyszka, Chip Prescott, and Steve Patterson were friends and co-workers at Allied Swiss, a small family-owned machine shop, producing machined parts for a broad range of industries. Allied Swiss was founded by Prescott’s fa-ther and sold to Veridiam in 2006. After working for Veridiam for a few years, they decided to try to build something on their own and thus the idea of Precision One Medical arose. Two minority partners also joined them, David Atkinson and Larry Alonzo. They started with three machines and a promise from a good customer from their past. They exceeded that customer’s every expectation and soon the client was challenging them to create additional product lines.

Established in late 2009, Precision One Medical manufactures small precision medical components for both the dental and medical markets, is headquartered in Carlsbad, California in a 30,000 square foot facility and has over 80 employees.

Their success is a result of several factors. One of which is that each member of the ownership team has been involved in the dental and medical manufacturing sectors for over twenty years. Precision One Medical ownership has a diversified foundation of skill sets. Within the ownership team at least one member has served in all the disciplines required to manufacture precision medical components: Machin-ing, Engineering, Quality Systems, Programming, and Production Planning. The experience levels in these areas do not end at ownership. The entire Precision One team represents the best of the best when it comes to machining and quality. Their team averages 10 years of experience in machining and manufacturing of precision medical parts. Each one of their cells is self-managed and operated by individuals who excel in their craft.

Precision One owners ac-knowledge that it is their team that makes Precision One Med-ical exceptional. They treat em-ployees like family, and provide above average pay, medical ben-efits, bonuses and other rewards, which has resulted in virtually zero employee turnovers.

Their manufacturing strate-gy is to provide their customers with a partner who will meet their demand needs. Precision One Medical applied lean man-ufacturing principles within the operation from the company’s or-igin. They work with the custom-

er to understand their requirements and build the system capacity to fit those needs. This assures on-time delivery, exceptional quality, and the ability to make demand adjustments as changes occur.

The Small Business Person of the Year Award is presented to a small business owner or team who has demonstrated business success through staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sale and/or unit volume, current and past financial performance, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.

Historical Overview of SBA Awards

Every year since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others who support small business from across the nation through National Small Business Week. This year, events will take place across the country engaging the small business community and highlighting their importance as innovators and job creators who strengthen the nation’s economy.

“In celebration of America’s 51st Small Business Week, we take this opportunity to honor the small businesses that have helped make our nation great,” says SBA San Diego District Director Ruben Garcia. “SBA has helped well over 30 million Americans start, grow and expand their businesses, placing tens of billions of dollars in loans into the hands of entrepreneurs in all sectors of the economy.”

Business organizations, lending institutions, chambers of commerce and trade associations typically nominate candidates. Local nominations are judged on specific criteria and a winner is selected in each category. District office nominees for select categories are sent to SBA’s regional office in Los Angeles for judging and the regional office then submits nominations for national consideration. The regional office territory covers California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and Guam. The San Diego District had two regional winners this year, Paul Thomas—Julian Hard Cider and Christopher Pohle—Tactical Edge, Inc.

John Tyszka Chip Prescott Steve Patterson

SBA 2014 Small Business Awards Winners2014 SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS SUPPLEMENT June 9, 2014 www.sdbj.com Page A29

George Chandler Leadership AwardJeanette Alessio-Way, Founder

The History Lady

The History Lady, Jeanette Alessio-Way is a cultural historian, educator and certified activities director. She began developing programs for her seniors lecture series in 1999, spending countless hours researching, collect-ing props and compiling materials for each. These talks commemorate the historic events and cultural trivia as-sociated with each month of the year. They have been made into a 12-lecture DVD series.

Alessio-Way became “The History Lady” after help-ing her mother combat the effects of Alzheimer’s dis-ease. Feeling a special calling to enrich the lives of those challenged by age and failing health, her primary focus audience has been senior citizens living in retirement communities, nursing homes, and Alzheimer facilities. She works with them to pre-serve their memories for future generations.

Headquartered in San Diego, California, Tac-tical Edge is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that helps organizations cost-effectively design, develop and deploy complex enterprise information management systems. The company takes industry best practices and emer-gent open-source proven technologies and couples them with domain and technical expertise to cost effectively modernize complex information manage-ment systems to meet the ever-evolving needs of its customers.

Tactical Edge was founded in 2012 by its CEO, Christopher C. Pohle, MBA. Pohle began his professional career by serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. Since that time, he has assumed increasingly responsible roles as lead systems engineer, lead systems architect and lead data integrator for defense programs on behalf of U.S. Army Mission Command, Defense Logistics Agency, and U.S. Transportation Command. Prior to founding Tactical Edge, Pohle served as chief technology officer for TechFlow, Inc., where he led new market entry efforts into USMC, Army, and Air Force domains. He was responsible for generating over $35.5 million of new business for one of San Diego Business Journal’s “100 Fastest-Growing Private Companies in San Diego County.”

Despite being less than a year old, Tactical Edge has established itself as a sought after subcontractor and a key advisor. The company employs 22 employees and is already achieving its vision to place more value on technical competency; employee well-being; the right solution; and corporate and employee citizenship than on in-creased profit margin.

Tactical Edge employs proven, open-source, cutting-edge technologies, thus elim-inating proprietary software solutions and vendor lock-in, that limits the Warfighter access to innovative solutions derived through free and open competition. Through prototyping and evaluation, Tactical Edge presents solutions that encompass best of breed, open-source technologies.

Tactical Edge has multiple special achievements in its very short corporate history. It has teamed, and established partnerships, with defense firms to provide customers access to Tactical Edge’s services and capabilities via Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACS), indefinite Delivery I Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts, and Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) based on established rates and pre-negotiated terms and conditions. Due to this, the company has been awarded, or been a key player on teams that have been awarded several contracts for various U.S. Navy and Army activities and as a subcontractor, assisted IBM in winning U.S. Army Mission Command PWS I, PWS II, and PPSS contracts, and the U.S. Army Logistics Support Activity (LOGSA) contract. As a prime, Tactical Edge won three contracts with the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences in support of Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps Installations and Logistics Directorate.

Learn more at: www.tacticaledge.us.

The Small Business Subcontractor of the Year award honors small businesses that have provided the government and industry with outstanding goods and services as subcontractors. Only large federal prime contractors may nominate a firm for this award.

Paul Thomas has grown Julian Hard Cider from a locally available beverage to a nationally and internationally distributed brand. Currently, Julian Hard Cider is exported to 12 countries around the world and the demand for their product, continues to grow, with Beijing, China targeted as the next potential market. The company has had about a 400 percent increase in sales, since inception. They currently employ 12 full-time, three part-time and anticipate adding more staff members in the near future.

Julian Hard Cider comes from a recipe that originated in colonial America in 1670. Their three flavors of cider are produced using the freshest apples in the world, painstakingly processed to retain the

flavor. The cider is lightly carbonated with tartness, acidity and a clean dry finish. No concentrated apple juice or additives are used. They have a tasting room on Highway 78-79, just outside Julian on the way “down the hill” where those of legal drinking age can sample the products.

Assistance provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce prepared Thomas to take his all American Company, Julian Hard Cider into new worldwide markets and the Imperial Valley SBDC readied him to communicate with his lender to obtain future financing and improve the Julian Hard Cider’s webpage.

The Exporter of the Year Award is presented annually to a company in San Diego or Imperial County who has excelled at exporting. Julian Hard Cider was judged the winner of the San Diego and Imperial Counties district nominations and also won the Regional Exporter of the Year in competition against nomi-nations from nine SBA district offices located in Hawaii, Arizona, Nevada and California.

Region IX Small Business Exporter of the YearPaul Thomas, President/Founder

Julian Hard Cider, LLC

continued from page A28


Region IX Small Business Subcontractor of the YearChristopher Pohle, CEO

Tactical Edge

Affectionately known in her native San Diego as “the lady with the stuff,” Ales-sio-Way has the distinction of being the only speaker in the country providing this unique style of presentation.

Learn more at www.thehistorylady.com.

SBA’s 2014 George Chandler Leadership Award recognizes Alessio-Way for her leadership and unique services provided to seniors, making history come alive and allowing them to capture and record their memories and contributions. The award was created to honor the memory of and contributions of George Chandler, who was the former SBA district director of the San Diego District Office.

SBA 2014 Small Business Awards Winnerscontinued from page A29


Anthony Vigil Small Business Advocacy AwardSudershan Shaunak, Director

North San Diego Small Business Development Center

Sudershan Shaunak is a management accountant with 44 years of hands-on experience in business. He is a serial entrepreneur with expertise in strategic planning, financing, financial management, business expansion/growth, turn-around and start-ups.

He has been the director of the North San Diego Small Business Development Center (SBDC) hosted by MiraCosta College since 2003.

Small Business Development Centers are partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide services and training to those who want to start or grow their own business. Since the economic down-turn in 2008-2009, the SBDC has also provided assis-tance to many troubled businesses by helping them stabilize and reconstruct their business operations.

SBA funding is matched by contributions from the community. These resources have allowed the SBDC to retain a stable/professional team and expand its capacity to provide business training and advice in the areas of technology commercialization, pro-curement, export trade, youth entrepreneurship and services to veterans and seniors.

During his tenure as SBDC Director, Shaunak and his team have conducted 1,431 workshops attended by 18,282 participants; and provided 36,594 hours of no-cost business advice to 6,571 clients.

Even in a volatile economy these services from the North San Diego SBDC helped entrepreneurs create/retain 1,911 jobs; increase revenues by $111 million; obtain $39 million in financing; win $29 million in government contracts and start 252 new businesses.

The Anthony Vigil Small Business Advocacy Award recognizes a community leader or organization for services to the small business community. Shaunak is being recognized for exemplary advocacy, leadership and extraordinary as-sistance, instrumental in the creation, growth and success of North San Diego County’s small business and economic development.

District Director’s Environmental Excellence AwardJ. Eric Taylor, CEO

Enalasys Corporation

Eric Taylor, co-founder, president & CEO of Enalasys, has developed new innovative technologies and products used for energy efficiency and has pio-neered verification services to better track and improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses. His strategy, combined with practical business experience and leader-ship has resulted in Enalasys’ products being used in 12 states and 18 utility programs.

He has led the creation of a network of certified con-tractors that permanently install the Enalasys technol-ogy in homes and businesses that create “energy saving customers for life.” Taylor currently has 10 employees and his network of certified contractors has created 48 new full and part-time jobs within the past year.

As the founder, chairman, and CEO of Jet Express Inc., Taylor lived through a significant industry transformation during his 18 years in the same-day freight industry. The introduction of a “proof-of-delivery” system with scanner technology contributed to a mass transformation for many major companies like Fed-Ex. Taylor relied on that experience, in 1997, when he developed and implemented a similar transformation through technology for the utility and HVAC industries. His newly formed company, Enalasys used the new technology to track the usage of energy inputs and outputs as a means to measure energy savings.

Enalasys was incorporated in 1997 with Taylor being the original investor. He plays a critical and crucial role for Enalasys. As CEO and President, Taylor, is re-sponsible for bringing company products from conception to market, raising capital, and driving sales.

Enalasys has survived two market downturns over a span of 17 years and has been re-invented and re-purposed. Reinvention incorporated the changes of old and implementation of new energy regulations that altered the energy efficiency industry. Enalasys was the first state certified, technology based, third party control program for the state of California.

Taylor is active in his industry and is a member of the Western HVAC Performance Alliance, which is a California Public Utilities Commission Committee that uses the expertise of industry leaders to advise California utility companies.

Taylor was approved for a $225,000 SBA 504 loan in 1990 for his initial business, Jet Express, Inc., which he later sold and used the profits to establish Enalasys. The loan was made by Rabobank. He also received a 7(a) revolving line of credit for $100,000, through Bank of America, which is paid in full.

Learn more at www.enalasys.com.

The DD’s Environmental Excellence Award is awarded to a small business that has increased the public’s knowledge and methods of effectively improving the efficiency of energy use in an effort to create a healthier more enduring environment.

Director’s Award for 8(a) Early GraduationSamuel Flores, President

PKL Services, Inc.

After 30 years’ service in the U.S. Marine Corps, Samuel Flores Jr. retired as a Lieutenant Colonel, in 1997. He then worked for CACI International, where he attained the position of vice president. He founded his own firm PKL Services, Inc., in 2003. PKL was originally and principally dedicated to providing logistics support services for the U.S. Marine Corps units and activities in Southern California, it has evolved under Flores’ leadership and has become a well-recognized and respected firm.

PKL’s portfolio encompasses 11 aerospace mainte-nance, training and logistics contracts, managing over 400 employees, canvassing six states and four interna-tional operating sites for the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Republic of Singapore, King-dom of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Marine Corps. In the last ten years, PKL Services has expanded services across the United States, internationally, and in the war zones of Afghanistan and Iraq.

Flores gives much credit for PKL Services success to his team of employees and he recently made the company employee-owned, giving the employees a 30 percent share in the business.

In 2011, PKL a service disabled, veteran-owned company graduated three years early from SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program (a nine year program created to help small disadvantaged businesses get government contracts).

Flores currently mentors other veteran-owned 8(a) BD companies and enjoys helping these companies succeed.

Learn more at www.pklservices.com and at www.sdbj.com “Military Con-tracts Take Poway Firm on Tour.”

The Early 8(a) Graduation Award is given to a company that has met and exceeded 8(a) certification regulations and graduated early from the program because they have exceeded the earnings and income requirements of the program.

Director’s Award for Business Creativity & GrowthSteven Raketich, Co-Founder

Backyard X-Scapes, Inc.

Steven Raketich and Jamie Kocher started Backyard X-Scapes, in 2002, after working together for many years for a major airline and as partners/associates in another successful local business venture. Backyard X-Scapes is a business that designs, manu-factures and distributes artificial rocks, pre-fabricated water features and architectural elements. They built and ran the business out of a 150 square-foot trailer, using a 1,000 square-foot deck to display their products.

Today, the partners operate out of a 75,000 square foot warehouse with a show-room in Sorrento Valley that offers an outdoor display area measuring 30,000 square feet and is complete with working fountains and a wide variety of faux water features and decorative accessories. They recently opened a second location in Orlando, Florida to service commercial accounts comprised of resort properties, attractions, theme parks, and zoos based on the East Coast, and in other countries.

The company is reporting steadily increasing annual sales and maintaining a staff of 15 employees. They have grown into the largest outdoors and backyard products superstore in San Diego, also offering indoor products as well as design and consult-ing services, and have created a new corporation XCEL Distribution.

The organization is committed to a philosophy of distributing sustainable eco-friendly “green” products. Backyard X-Scapes have also made contributions to enhance renovation projects completed by Habitat for Humanity, Rebuild San Diego, and Extreme Makeover Episodes to aid financially distressed families.

Backyard X-Scapes has been an ongoing SCORE client since 2003, participating in several workshops and many counseling sessions over the years. SCORE coun-selors have guided Backyard X-Scapes through many rough spots to the success it enjoys today.

Learn more at www.backyardxscapes.com, www.bambooandtikis.com and www.articialthatch.com.

The Director’s Award for Creativity and Success is given to a company that is located in San Diego or Imperial Counties and has creatively resolved business issues and grown and prospered.


Jamie Kocher and Steven Raketich




Director’s Award for SBA Mission SupportRod Means, District President

SCORE

Rod Means has been a volunteer member of SCORE since October of 1999. During his tenure with SCORE, he has served the organization in various San Diego Chapter Board of Directors positions, including VP administration, VP marketing, and chapter president.

In 2006, he established the first SCORE chapter branch in Imperial Valley. Means also helped the San Di-ego SCORE Chapter become the 2009 National Chapter of the Year. This award recognized the San Diego Chap-ter as the best chapter in the country from more than 350 chapters.

Means received the Alice Brown National Award from SCORE for his fund raising leadership. The San Diego SCORE chapter has received donations of more than $800,000 from 2003 to the present, as a result of Means’ fund-raising efforts. These funds have been used to help SCORE complete its mission and provide services to San Diego and Imperial Counties small businesses.

He also served as assistant district director and participated on the SCORE National Marketing Advisory Council. He has served as national district director, and is now serving as the SCORE district president. He has held this position of leadership since 2006 and is responsible for San Diego and Imperial Counties.

Means assisted the National SCORE Association in a successful turn-a-round of a sub-standard Los Angeles chapter.

Over the years he has also represented SCORE on the San Diego Business Improvement District Council (BID) and for the individual BIDs of Morena, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach and Diamond.

More than 600 clients have benefited from his advice as a business counselor and small business mentor.

SCORE, formerly known as Service Corps of Retired Executives, was formed by the U.S. Congress in 1964, as a 100 percent volunteer organization and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. There are currently over 11,000 volunteers in 320 chapters nationwide.

Prior to becoming a SCORE member Means owned and operated four different small businesses within San Diego County, over a 28 year period. His business background gave him a wealth of knowledge to share with the SCORE organization and the small business clients he has counseled and mentored over the years. His businesses include El Capitan Oil Co, a wholesale/retail petroleum distributorship, consisting of 16 owned and leased retail gas stations located throughout San Diego County. He purchased Rancho Soledad Nurseries, which he renamed Plant Care Co. and years later sold for twenty times the purchase price. He founded TRICK, a motor sports business, that raced NASCAR type stock cars; and after closing the TRICK motor sports business he retained the TRICK brand and developed a TRICK racing gasoline, a distribution company combining petroleum marketing and the motor sports experience.

Means is currently on LinkedIn and Facebook.

The District Director’s Award is given to an individual or organization that provides Mission Critical Assistance to the SBA and small business.

Financial Services Champion of the YearDominique Molina, CPA, Co-Founder and President

The American Institute of Certifi ed Tax Coaches

Named by CPA Practice Advisor Magazine as one of the Top 40 under 40 Most Influential Accountants, Dominique Molina is the co-founder and president of the American Institute of Certified Tax Coaches, a nonprofit network of tax planning specialists. As the driving force and visionary behind the San Diego-based company, Molina set out to change the way tax professionals approach tax planning. In 2009, Molina began to create an elite network of tax professionals including CPAs, EAs, attorneys and financial service providers who are trained to help their clients proactively plan and implement tax strategies that can save thousands of dollars in wasted tax. Her more than 12 years of hands-on experience in the accounting and business fields provide her with ample skills to accomplish this mission. Molina has successfully licensed tax professionals as Certified Tax Coaches across the country, creating a national network of highly qualified advisors.

Molina frequently appears as a tax expert and TV guest in regional television markets, including San Diego, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Honolulu. Her excellent media credentials, professionalism, and outgoing personality allow her to provide expert advice on tax issues for millions of Americans. Molina also is a published author of five books on taxation, and has authored one of our country’s preeminent tax planning textbooks.

Learn more at http://www.certifiedtaxcoach.com.

The Financial Services Champion of the Year award is presented to an individual, located within San Diego or Imperial County, who assists small businesses through advocacy efforts to improve their economic outlook in the business community and/or improves the future of small businesses by providing guidance in the areas of finance and/or accounting.

Minority Small Business Champion of the YearElaine Richardson, Manager of Small Business Development

San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG)

Elaine Richardson has been with SANDAG for over nine years with responsibilities in contracting, the Disad-vantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program and small business outreach. She is currently focusing her small and disadvantaged opportunities efforts on the $260 Million Architecture & Engineering (A&E) Bench program, $200 Million Construction Management (CM) Bench program, $1.7 Billion on the Mid-Coast Corridor transit project and $2 Billion on the North County corridor.

Richardson is the SANDAG representative on the Caltrans Small Business Council (SBC). This council provides the opportunity for small businesses to request assistance and guidance in doing business with agencies such as Caltrans and SANDAG. In providing mentoring and guidance to these small firms, Richardson offers advice on specific certifications that are beneficial to obtaining business at SANDAG.

SANDAG and Richardson have been instrumental in developing the Architecture and Engineering (A&E) Bench program. The program is utilized on the SANDAG On-Call A&E contracts. The Bench program assists small firms in fostering new business/partnership opportunities with prime consultants that will ultimately help grow their emerging businesses. The program is open to small and disadvantaged firms that provide a variety of professional services as identified in each A&E contract. The Bench serves as a pool of firms that prime consultants will be able to access through a simplified process to work on SANDAG projects. The objective was to create better methods to include small and disadvantaged businesses in their efforts to participate in the SANDAG contracting process.

SANDAG and Richardson also have been proactive in leading the Calmentor Program, along with Caltrans, into its fifth successful year. The program is designed to encourage and support small and disadvantaged businesses through voluntary “Mentor-Protégé” partnerships with mid-size and larger firms. Specifically, the program aims to increase the participation of women, minority-owned, and disadvantaged small-business Architectural and Engineering (A&E) firms in public transportation projects in the San Diego region.

The Minority Small Business Champion of the Year is presented to an indi-vidual who has demonstrated effective advocacy of the minority small business community.

Small Business Journalists of the YearNeil Senturia & Barbara Bry, Entrepreneurship Columnists

San Diego Union-Tribune, U-T San Diego

Neil Senturia and Barbara Bry, a husband and wife team, co-author the weekly entrepre-neurship column, “I’m There for You Baby,” The Entrepreneur’s Guide to the Galaxy,” that runs in the Monday Business Section of U-T San Diego. The column has been recognized with a first place award from the Society of Professional Journalists (San Diego Chapter) and a second place award from the San Diego Press Club.

The couple also own Blackbird Ventures, which is a company that invests in and incu-bates early stage technology companies. Sen-turia is the CEO and Bry is the COO of Blackbird Ventures.

Both of them have experience in various entrepreneurial ventures. Senturia’s diverse entrepreneurial background includes endeavors in technology, real estate development and Hollywood entertainment. He teaches entrepreneurship at UC San Diego and currently serves on the board of directors of 1 App Works, which integrates retailers, hotels and consumers, and Dealstruck, which has developed a platform that matches accredited investors with small businesses that need capital to grow.

Bry considers herself a serial entrepreneur with involvement in several business-es over the years, both for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Bry was on the founding team of Provide Commerce-Proflowers.com and Atcom/Info, a software company that pioneered high-speed Internet access in hotel rooms, as examples of some of her for-profit ventures.

She is the founder of San Diego Athena, which has more than 500 members and is the leading professional organization for women in the San Diego technology and life sciences community. She was the first editor of the nonprofit investigative news site Voice of San Diego, and she was the first associate director of CONNECT, which has received international recognition for its role in nurturing early stage tech and life sciences companies.

Learn more at www.imthereforyoubaby.com.

The Small Business Journalists Award is given to reporters, news commen-tators or editors, who consistently educate, inform and advocate on behalf of small business.




Veteran Small Business Champion of the YearKaren Linehan, Manager Business Outreach Program

San Diego Unifi ed School District

Karen Linehan’s dedication to helping veterans suc-ceed has resulted in Disabled Veteran Business Enter-prises’ (DVBE)/Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Busi-nesses’ (SDVOB) participation in SDUSD construction contracts regularly exceeding mandated requirements. She was pivotal in the creation and implementation of an innovative outreach program that meets the needs of DVBEs and offer tools, guidance, networking, and ad-vocacy for DVBEs to attain contracts, both within and outside of SDUSD business opportunities. Her volun-teer efforts dovetail with her business achievements in advancing opportunities for veterans and other small business groups, alike. Her dedication to, and support in developing and promoting DVBE’s has made her a true champion to countless veter-ans in the greater San Diego region.

Linehan is currently managing the San Diego Unified School District’s business outreach program in support of its Facilities Planning and Construction department (FPC). She predominantly supports the Propositions S and Z Capital Improvement Bond Program, which has significant small and emerging business outreach goals and a requirement for disabled veteran business.

San Diego Unified’s Disabled Veteran Business Program requires three percent DVBE/SDVOB participation on all construction projects. Linehan spends much of her time locating and meeting with DVBE/SDVOB contractors, suppliers and man-ufactures and helping them navigate toward successful bidding. She facilitates intro-ductions among DVBE/SDVOBs and large general contractors and specialty small businesses in an effort to develop robust teams qualified to bid San Diego Unified projects.

Learn more at: www.sandi.net

The Veteran Small Business Champion of the Year award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated effective advocacy of veteran-owned small businesses.

Women In Business Champion of the YearFelena Hanson, President and Founder

Hera Hub, Inc.

An accomplished marketing executive, Felena Hanson could have stayed on the corporate fast track, but instead chose a life of service to the small business community. Passionate about education, Hanson is both a life-long learner and educator. She continuously creates new workshops and courses sharing her talents with hundreds of women entrepreneurs both in the local community and across the U.S. She recognized early on that starting a small business can leave the business owner feeling isolated, burned out and maxed out. It was important to Hanson to create an environment where business owners can not only focus on growing their businesses with the much needed tools and resources she supplies, but also encouraging business social responsibility as an integral part of an overall development strategy. Hanson does this by spearheading charitable projects and modeling an open spirit of giving. In addition, she regularly donates space, at Hera Hub, to a number of nonprofit organizations, including Women’s Empowerment, Women Give San Diego, The San Diego Women’s Foundation and more.

Hanson is a long-time entrepreneur and marketing maven. Her latest venture, Hera Hub, is a spa-inspired shared workspace for female entrepreneurs. This as-need-ed, flexible work and meeting space provides a productive environment for women who primarily work from home. Hera Hub members have access to a professional space to meet with clients and to connect and collaborate with like-minded busi-ness owners, thus giving them the support they need to be prosperous. Cost-effective monthly membership options are suited for freelancers, independent consultants, en-trepreneurs, nonprofits, and authors.

Learn more at www.HeraHub.com & www.HeraHubFranchise.com.

The Women in Business Champion award is presented to an individual who actively advocates for women-owned businesses by making an effort to increase business and financial opportunities for women; by providing legal, financial or managerial assistance to enhance women’s business ownership and by volunteer efforts to strengthen the role of women business owners within the community.

Minority-Owned Small Business of the YearDeborah Hamilton, President

Teehee Engineering, Inc.

In 2002, Deborah Hamilton started Teehee Engineer-ing Inc. (TEI) a woman–owned, Native American-owned company that provides construction management, in the fields of general building and civil engineering with an emphasis on design/build contracts.

Hamilton began her business with more faith than financial resources and a strong commitment to “building a better tomorrow for the people.” Her commitment to building a solid business, as well as creating opportunities to provide employment and community service has served her, TEI employees and the communities in which she works well. The company has had direct management for more than $100 million in 8(a) federal contracts and $80 million in private and public works contracts.

TEI started with one employee and now employs up to 25 during busy times and makes an effort to hire employees from diverse ethnic backgrounds, as well as women and veterans.

In addition to participating in SBA’s 8(a) Business Development and Mentor/Protégé Programs, TEI received an SBA 7(a) loan through Wells Fargo Bank. Tak-ing advantage of new opportunities to expand her business, TEI added a new service of supplying Caterpillar rental equipment. This new rental equipment service is uti-lized by Camp Pendleton and the Border Patrol.

Learn more at teeheeengineering.com.

The Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Award is presented to a small business that is owned and operated by one or more minority individuals that have demonstrated business success through staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sale and/or unit volume, current and past financial performance, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.

Veteran-Owned Small Business of the YearMichael Bilodeau, Owner/President/CEO

IO Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc.

Mike Bilodeau, founder and CEO of IO Environ-mental and Infrastructure, Inc. (IOEI), is a certified ser-vice-disabled veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, with a diverse and detailed environmental background. He has over 18 years of experience in environmental clean-up, assessment, remediation, compliance, and installation of restoration projects. Bilodeau had a successful govern-ment career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and with NAVFAC SW.

IOEI was founded in 2006, and offers wide rang-ing technical expertise in environmental and civil de-sign-build services. Their clients include federal, state, regional, and municipal governments, as well as private companies. They also partner with other contractors to assist them in meeting their diversity goals for contracting. IOEI’s mission is to be the preeminent SDVOSB in both the environmental services and the civil construction industries while maintain-ing at least a 40 percent veteran workforce. IOEI recognizes that many skilled veter-ans need new work opportunities after their military service, yet too often employers don’t recognize a vet’s full potential or the training and experience they had received. IOEI provides meaningful jobs that put veterans’ skills to work and allow veterans to explore new career opportunities.

“Giving Back” or “Paying It Forward” is a concept shared at IO Environmental. Bilodeau provides his expertise with other veteran- owned businesses and supports them through his participation in the Elite SDVOSB Network in San Diego. He has received a Global Award from Goldman Sachs and the Aspen Institute for his work in support of veterans.

The Veteran-Owned Small Business Award is presented annually to a small business that is owned and operated by one or more U.S. Veterans that have demonstrated business success through staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sale and/or unit volume, current and past financial performance, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.


Women-Owned Small Business of the YearAnnie Aguilar, President/Principal Engineer

San Dieguito Engineering, Inc.

San Dieguito Engineering, Inc. (SDE), a civil engi-neering, surveying and land planning firm specializ-ing in the construction coordination of public works infrastructure improvements and commercial site development, was established in 1975. Annie Aguilar, an SDE principal engineer since 2000, became president and CEO of SDE in 2011. Aguilar has grown personally and professionally by taking every opportunity to learn new things and challenge herself. Her most recent edu-cational accomplishment is the completion of the Gold-man Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program at Long Beach Community College, which she feels helped her lead the company during one of the most difficult times of the recession in converting from a private development firm to a public works consultant, with the unwavering support of her partners.

In 2012, SDE began working with the North San Diego Small Business Devel-opment Center to help them get established as a government contracting firm. As a result they have recently been awarded a number of contracts with the City of San Diego, Sempra Energy and SANDAG totaling over $300,000, which will allow them to create new jobs in the near future. A landmark project for SDE was providing infrastructure design and subsurface utility engineering services for the San Diego International Airport Terminal 2 Expansion design build project.

Learn more at www.sdeinc.com.

The Women-Owned Small Business of the Year Award is presented to a small business that is owned and operated by one or more women that have demonstrated business success through staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sale and/or unit volume, current and past financial performance, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity and contributions to community-oriented projects.


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