Congratulations to the 2010 Small Business Leadership Award Winners!

The 25th Annual Small Business Leadership Awards was an overwhelming success as The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and the South Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) honored business and community leaders who have proven themselves to be worthy of honor admiration. Held at the Comedy Works South at Landmark on Wednesday, May 5th, 230 Chamber Investors and invited guests watched as Blu SKY Restoration Contractors was named the Small Business of the Year, ecoprojex was named Emerging Business of the Year and attorney Karen Samuels Jones with Perkins Coie, LLP was awarded the 2010 Brian R. Vogt Community Leader Award.

The afternoon celebration began with a cocktail reception and networking in the sophisticated Lucy restaurant on the second floor of the comedy venue. A mix of networking, catching up with old friends and congratulations could be heard as the wine and beverages were poured and delicious hors d’oeuvres were enjoyed. And, at the appointed time, the group was led downstairs to the main club theater for the ceremony.

Comedian Sam Adams (yes… like the beer) acted as Master of Ceremonies and kept the event light and fun. Quips at the current business climate and occasional jabs at Chamber President and CEO, John Brackney, brought waves of laughter throughout the afternoon.

Bob Carrothers, Chair of the 2010 Small Business Leadership Awards (SBLA) Committee and Group Chair at Vistage International was next on the stage who welcomed VIP guests from the State SBDC as well as some local government representatives in the crowd. He then related the complex process by which the winners are chosen by the SBLA Committee and thanked the committee for their long hours poring over the nominations of business and community leaders. The committee was made up of an executive coach (Carrothers), an attorney (Lisa D’Ambrosia, Minor Brown); a banker (Mark Mooney, Compass Bank), a CPA (Phyllis Brown, Clifton Gunderson, LLP); H. R. expert (Walker Williams, Forte Human Resources); a business worth expert (Jerry Healey, Cimarron Equity Partners) and marketing authority (Marcia McGilley, Director of the SBDC).

2010 Success Tracks Graduates Marcia McGilley then brought the coach and graduates of the Success Tracks Program which requires business owners and managers to complete 20 hours of one-on-one consulting through the SBDC. Caroline Hanna of Connectics Enterprises who supervises the program assisted McGilley with handing out certificates and pins to Rosemarie Cabral and Sabrina LeMay, Cuttin’It Loose; Danielle Dickinson, Star Baby Bath Towels & Blankets; Paul Hasty of Midwest DashMasters; Gina Kaelin-Westcott, High Achievers Sales Mentoring & Coaching and Andrew Snyder of Architectural Services, LLC.

Adams again took the stage and recognized the 28 nominated businesses and individuals who were nominated for the three awards. With the help of Chamber Chair, Mark Ryan of Ryan 5 Corporation, and John Brackney began the process of presenting the three main awards of the evening.

Karen Samuels Jones of Perkins Coie Last year’s winner of the Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year Award, Bud Ahern of CH2M Hill, came on stage and gave an eloquent homily on what it means to be a winner of this prestigious award. He then listed the finalists: John M. Hughes of Clifton Gunderson, Karen Samuels Jones of Perkins Coie, LLP and Jeff G. Wasden of PROformance Apparel with Karen Samuels-Jones named the winner of the 2010 Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year. Samuels-Jones accepted the award with humility and style that those who know her have come to expect.

John & Mindy Collins from ecoprojex The Emerging Business of the Year awarded to companies with 5 or more employees and have been in business more than 1 and less than 5 years, had two finalists: ecoprojex, a “green” recycling company and Major Mom, a home organization company. Jason Barrow of Luna Gourmet Coffee & Tea, the 2009 Emerging Business of the Year, named ecoprojex as this year’s winner. The Castle Rock based company has been in business for less than two years yet recently opened a 16,000 square foot commercial recycling center in Englewood. Owners John and Mindy Collins accepted the award.

Dan Flanagan of Blu SKY Restoration Contrators And as the tension mounted as to who would be named the 2010 Small Business of the Year, Adams again lightened the mood with a discourse on the census currently under way and how specific you can get regarding your “color” simply by going to the local paint store… he discovered that he was “caramel nut”.

The three finalists for Small Business of the Year were Adperio, an online advertising and marketing firm; Blu SKY Restoration Contractors, disaster restoration and cleanup and HealthTrans, a pharmaceutical management company. Short videos of each of these companies were shown to give a feel of not only the scope of their business, but their business strategies and vision for the future. Felsburg Holt & Ullevig owner Bob Felsburg, the 2009 Small Business of the Year winner, assisted in awarding the 2010 Small Business of the Year to Blu SKY Restoration Contractors. Blu SKY owners Terry Shadwick and Andy Bakker were not able to make the awards celebration due to taking care of business with the floods in Tennessee and so the award was graciously accepted by Dan Flanagan, Vice President of Sales & Business Development.

The awards ceremony was followed by a coffee and dessert reception in the Lucy Restaurant. Back slaps, hugs and handshakes were prevalent as the party took off. Never one to want a party to end, John Brackney encouraged everyone to stay and watch the comedy show presented that evening as part of the celebration.

The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and South Denver Small Business and Development Center congratulate all of this year’s nominees, finalists and winners. All of these companies and individuals show true leadership in their business dealings and in their communities and are to be commended for their efforts. As Brackney states, “These awards demonstrate the strength and vitality which comes from courage, strength, and a commitment to quality, service and community. I am proud of these business and community leaders and celebrate their success.” Small Business Development Center logo South Metro Denver Chamber logo

• 2009 SBY Winner: Felsburg Holt & Ullevig

Felsburg Holt & Ullevig - The 2009 Small Business of the Year Bob Felsburg accepted the award and shared that it was especially meaningful as the company is celebrating their 25th year in business providing engineering paths to transportation solutions. From day one, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig have not wavered from their focus of being a transportation consulting firm. They have recruited outstanding staff and retained above-average tenures. At year-end 2008, 30% of FHU’s employees had company tenures of 10 years or more. One important contribution to workplace excellence is their philosophy of active principal involvement in projects, mentoring and quality assurance and control. FHU has received numerous awards and recognition such as the 2009 ACEC-CO Merit Award for the BNSF South Quite Zone project in Commerce City and the 2009 Employer of the Year Award by the Women’s Transportation Seminar. Company leaders and employees are involved in various fund-raisers and activities including the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure Colorado MS Society, Rollin’ Rockies Wheelchair Softball Team and Girls Exploring Science, Engineering and Technology.

2008 SBY Winner - Designs by Sundown

Michael Hommel of Designs by Sundown Twenty-two years ago, Denver native Michael Hommel founded Designs By Sundown. Starting with a handful of employees and working out of his parents’ garage, he started a company that today has become one of Denver's most successful residential landscape architecture and construction firms. Michael started the company with the notion that by combining a responsive and knowledgeable staff with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, a successful business could be built. Designs By Sundown has adhered to this philosophy since 1985, and it can be attributed in part to the overall growth and success of the company. Today, the company employs more than 130 employees with two prominent locations including a nursery and tree farm. Designs By Sundown specializes in all aspects of outdoor living.

2007 SBY Winner - South Denver Cardiology Associates

South Denver Cardiology Imagine a place where every piece of medical equipment, every square foot of space, even every color, material and fabric, was designed with peace and healing in mind. A place where Eastern philosophies merge with state-of-the-art Western medicine. A place where physicians consider exercise, nutrition and stress-reduction as important as medication and diagnostic tests. A place that speaks of wellness, rather than illness. Welcome to South Denver Heart Center.

2006 SBY Winner - Floyd's 99 Barbershop

The energy, atmosphere and people in a Floyd's 99 shop ensures our customers have a great total experience. And yeah, we'll change the way you think about getting your hair cut. Floyd’s 99 shops are genuine, hip places where most anyone will feel comfortable and know from their first visit that we care about the quality of service we provide. Old fashioned? Kinda, but for us it’s why so many of our customers return time after time; it’s what we stand for. A great quality haircut, without the hassle of an appointment, at a reasonable price and in our great atmosphere - this is what we do. And, we do it the Floyd's 99 way.


	Celebrate Small Businesses and Great Leaders with us! Congratulations to the 2010 Small Business Leadership Award Winners! The 25th Annual Small Business Leadership Awards was an overwhelming success as The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and the South Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC) honored business and community leaders who have proven themselves to be worthy of honor admiration. Held at the Comedy Works South at Landmark on Wednesday, May 5th, 230 Chamber Investors and invited guests watched as Blu SKY Restoration Contractors was named the Small Business of the Year, ecoprojex was named Emerging Business of the Year and attorney Karen Samuels Jones with Perkins Coie, LLP was awarded the 2010 Brian R. Vogt Community Leader Award. The afternoon celebration began with a cocktail reception and networking in the sophisticated Lucy restaurant on the second floor of the comedy venue. A mix of networking, catching up with old friends and congratulations could be heard as the wine and beverages were poured and delicious hors d’oeuvres were enjoyed. And, at the appointed time, the group was led downstairs to the main club theater for the ceremony. Comedian Sam Adams (yes… like the beer) acted as Master of Ceremonies and kept the event light and fun. Quips at the current business climate and occasional jabs at Chamber President and CEO, John Brackney, brought waves of laughter throughout the afternoon. Bob Carrothers, Chair of the 2010 Small Business Leadership Awards (SBLA) Committee and Group Chair at Vistage International was next on the stage who welcomed VIP guests from the State SBDC as well as some local government representatives in the crowd. He then related the complex process by which the winners are chosen by the SBLA Committee and thanked the committee for their long hours poring over the nominations of business and community leaders. The committee was made up of an executive coach (Carrothers), an attorney (Lisa D’Ambrosia, Minor Brown); a banker (Mark Mooney, Compass Bank), a CPA (Phyllis Brown, Clifton Gunderson, LLP); H. R. expert (Walker Williams, Forte Human Resources); a business worth expert (Jerry Healey, Cimarron Equity Partners) and marketing authority (Marcia McGilley, Director of the SBDC). Marcia McGilley then brought the coach and graduates of the Success Tracks Program which requires business owners and managers to complete 20 hours of one-on-one consulting through the SBDC. Caroline Hanna of Connectics Enterprises who supervises the program assisted McGilley with handing out certificates and pins to Rosemarie Cabral and Sabrina LeMay, Cuttin’It Loose; Danielle Dickinson, Star Baby Bath Towels & Blankets; Paul Hasty of Midwest DashMasters; Gina Kaelin-Westcott, High Achievers Sales Mentoring & Coaching and Andrew Snyder of Architectural Services, LLC. Adams again took the stage and recognized the 28 nominated businesses and individuals who were nominated for the three awards. With the help of Chamber Chair, Mark Ryan of Ryan 5 Corporation, and John Brackney began the process of presenting the three main awards of the evening. Last year’s winner of the Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year Award, Bud Ahern of CH2M Hill, came on stage and gave an eloquent homily on what it means to be a winner of this prestigious award. He then listed the finalists: John M. Hughes of Clifton Gunderson, Karen Samuels Jones of Perkins Coie, LLP and Jeff G. Wasden of PROformance Apparel with Karen Samuels-Jones named the winner of the 2010 Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year. Samuels-Jones accepted the award with humility and style that those who know her have come to expect. The Emerging Business of the Year awarded to companies with 5 or more employees and have been in business more than 1 and less than 5 years, had two finalists: ecoprojex, a “green” recycling company and Major Mom, a home organization company. Jason Barrow of Luna Gourmet Coffee & Tea, the 2009 Emerging Business of the Year, named ecoprojex as this year’s winner. The Castle Rock based company has been in business for less than two years yet recently opened a 16,000 square foot commercial recycling center in Englewood. Owners John and Mindy Collins accepted the award. And as the tension mounted as to who would be named the 2010 Small Business of the Year, Adams again lightened the mood with a discourse on the census currently under way and how specific you can get regarding your “color” simply by going to the local paint store… he discovered that he was “caramel nut”. The three finalists for Small Business of the Year were Adperio, an online advertising and marketing firm; Blu SKY Restoration Contractors, disaster restoration and cleanup and HealthTrans, a pharmaceutical management company. Short videos of each of these companies were shown to give a feel of not only the scope of their business, but their business strategies and vision for the future. Felsburg Holt & Ullevig owner Bob Felsburg, the 2009 Small Business of the Year winner, assisted in awarding the 2010 Small Business of the Year to Blu SKY Restoration Contractors. Blu SKY owners Terry Shadwick and Andy Bakker were not able to make the awards celebration due to taking care of business with the floods in Tennessee and so the award was graciously accepted by Dan Flanagan, Vice President of Sales & Business Development. The awards ceremony was followed by a coffee and dessert reception in the Lucy Restaurant. Back slaps, hugs and handshakes were prevalent as the party took off. Never one to want a party to end, John Brackney encouraged everyone to stay and watch the comedy show presented that evening as part of the celebration. The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and South Denver Small Business and Development Center congratulate all of this year’s nominees, finalists and winners. All of these companies and individuals show true leadership in their business dealings and in their communities and are to be commended for their efforts. As Brackney states, “These awards demonstrate the strength and vitality which comes from courage, strength, and a commitment to quality, service and community. I am proud of these business and community leaders and celebrate their success.” • 2009 SBY Winner: Felsburg Holt & Ullevig Bob Felsburg accepted the award and shared that it was especially meaningful as the company is celebrating their 25th year in business providing engineering paths to transportation solutions. From day one, Felsburg Holt & Ullevig have not wavered from their focus of being a transportation consulting firm. They have recruited outstanding staff and retained above-average tenures. At year-end 2008, 30% of FHU’s employees had company tenures of 10 years or more. One important contribution to workplace excellence is their philosophy of active principal involvement in projects, mentoring and quality assurance and control. FHU has received numerous awards and recognition such as the 2009 ACEC-CO Merit Award for the BNSF South Quite Zone project in Commerce City and the 2009 Employer of the Year Award by the Women’s Transportation Seminar. Company leaders and employees are involved in various fund-raisers and activities including the Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure Colorado MS Society, Rollin’ Rockies Wheelchair Softball Team and Girls Exploring Science, Engineering and Technology. 2008 SBY Winner - Designs by Sundown Twenty-two years ago, Denver native Michael Hommel founded Designs By Sundown. Starting with a handful of employees and working out of his parents’ garage, he started a company that today has become one of Denver's most successful residential landscape architecture and construction firms. Michael started the company with the notion that by combining a responsive and knowledgeable staff with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship, a successful business could be built. Designs By Sundown has adhered to this philosophy since 1985, and it can be attributed in part to the overall growth and success of the company. Today, the company employs more than 130 employees with two prominent locations including a nursery and tree farm. Designs By Sundown specializes in all aspects of outdoor living. 2007 SBY Winner - South Denver Cardiology Associates Imagine a place where every piece of medical equipment, every square foot of space, even every color, material and fabric, was designed with peace and healing in mind. A place where Eastern philosophies merge with state-of-the-art Western medicine. A place where physicians consider exercise, nutrition and stress-reduction as important as medication and diagnostic tests. A place that speaks of wellness, rather than illness. Welcome to South Denver Heart Center. 2006 SBY Winner - Floyd's 99 Barbershop The energy, atmosphere and people in a Floyd's 99 shop ensures our customers have a great total experience. And yeah, we'll change the way you think about getting your hair cut. Floyd’s 99 shops are genuine, hip places where most anyone will feel comfortable and know from their first visit that we care about the quality of service we provide. Old fashioned? Kinda, but for us it’s why so many of our customers return time after time; it’s what we stand for. A great quality haircut, without the hassle of an appointment, at a reasonable price and in our great atmosphere - this is what we do. And, we do it the Floyd's 99 way.