WASHINGTON – Waymon Armstrong, the owner of a small business that uses computer simulations to help government and private sector clients prepare for and respond to natural disasters, medical emergencies and combat, was today named National Small Business Person of the Year by Karen Mills, Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Mills made the announcement during ceremonies at SBA’s celebration of National Small Business Week 2010.
“Waymon Armstrong is a perfect example of the innovation, inspiration and determination that exemplify America’s most successful entrepreneurs,” said Mills. “He believed in his brainchild to the point where he deferred his own salary for three years to keep it afloat. When layoffs loomed for his staff after 9/11, their loyalty and belief in the company was so great that they were willing to work without pay for four months.
“Waymon’s commitment to his employees and to his business – Engineering & Computer Simulations, Inc. – demonstrates the qualities that make small businesses such a powerful force for job creation in the American economy and in their local communities,” said Mills. “It’s the same qualities that will lead us to economic recovery. We are especially proud that his company benefited from two grants under SBA’s Small Business Innovation and Research Program.
“I applaud Waymon, and all of the state small business persons of the year who are here today. We are all grateful for their contributions to our economy.”
First runner-up is Rebecca Ann Ufkes, president of UEC Electronics, LLC, of Hanahan, S.C., which helps clients turn their ideas into finished products through its design, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities. Second runner-up is Warner Cruz, president of J.C. Restoration, Inc., of Rolling Meadows, Ill., who took over the company his father had established and turned it into a full-service disaster restoration company with 70 employees in eight different divisions.
The National Small Business Person of the Year and runners-up were selected from among the 53 state small business winners, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam, who are being honored this week in Washington, D.C, as part of National Small Business Week. The awards were announced at today’s National Awards Luncheon, sponsored by Sam’s Club at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.
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