Small Business Development Center Hall of Fame Inducts New Members

Contact(s):  Catherine Herman (518) 956-8150

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 21, 2008) -- The State University of New York's Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the leading provider of management and technical services for small businesses, today announced the induction of three business owners into the New York Small Business Hall of Fame. Inductees include a specialty manufacturer, a packaging company, and a childcare business. The three firms join a group of 38 New York small businesses, recognized by the SBDC over the last 23 years for their outstanding vision, persistence, ingenuity, and innovation.

The state SBDC, administered by the State University of New York (SUNY) and located at the University at Albany, has 23 regional service centers located throughout the state, including one at UAlbany.

SUNY Interim Chancellor John Clark addressed the inductees following a visit to the Capitol and recognition on the floor of the Assembly and Senate by Legislative leaders.

"SUNY is proud to provide assistance to businesses throughout the state through SBDC. Most new jobs being created in New York and the nation come from small- and medium-sized businesses that are successfully guided by entrepreneurs like the ones we are recognizing today," said Clark. "It is an honor to welcome these business leaders into the SBDC Hall of Fame, and we are very grateful for the positive impact these people and the businesses they operate have on the community and the state."

"We congratulate the SBDC Hall of Fame inductees along with the thousands of small businesses the program assists annually," said University at Albany Interim President George Philip. "The UAlbany SBDC is an outstanding University-based outreach program that provides a valuable link to the regional small business community, and in collaboration with our School of Business supports and provides students with firsthand understanding of the challenges facing start-up and existing enterprises."

This year's class of inductees includes Joe McMahon, president of the Audubon Machinery Corp. from North Tonawanda, N.Y., which, among other products, produces and sells oxygen generating systems around the world; Jerry Hace of the Gooding Company, Inc. from Lockport, N.Y., which produces packaging, primarily for the pharmaceutical industry; and Shining Stars Daycare from East Syracuse, N.Y., providing a secure and stimulating learning environment for nearly 250 children at several centers.

Inductee Joe McMahon said, "The assistance we received when we started the business was extremely helpful in getting our startup loan applications approved. Since then we have used the SBDC services numerous times for a number of different projects and always found them to be very responsive and helpful. We are grateful for their assistance."

Inductee Jerry Hace said, "Gooding's transition to a specialty printer, serving the Pharmaceutical and Consumer markets, has truly been a team effort. With a clear vision, dedicated and talented employees embraced the plan and the team from the Niagara SBDC provided guidance and support, this has allowed Gooding to maneuver through 18 years of growth in Western New York."

"We are honored to be inducted into the Small Business Hall of Fame," said Stella Penizotto, who owns Shining Stars Daycare with her husband John. "We value the SBDC commitment to our business and really appreciate all of Joan Powers' help and support over the years. Our dream was to have a daycare business that had the highest standards; the SBDC shared our vision for that business."

Joan Powers is a senior business advisor of the Onondaga SBDC, which is located on and supported by Onondaga Community College.

"The Small Business Development Center offers a critical link to the business community and helps generate employment and economic wealth for citizens of our state," said SBDC State Director James King.  "It is a genuine pleasure to honor this year's inductees and I commend them and all their employees for the outstanding work they do each and every day." 

This is the third induction ceremony for the Small Business Hall of Fame, which was established in 2004 on the 20th anniversary of the Small Business Development Center program. The selection committee seeks to honor outstanding company owners that impact their community, provide entrepreneurial motivation, perseverance and a strong relationship to the SBDC.

The SBDC, located at the University at Albany, is administered by SUNY and manages 23 regional service centers throughout the state on SUNY, City University of New York (CUNY) and private university campuses, including one at the University at Albany's School of Business. Since its inception in 1984, the NYS SBDC has provided more than 276,000 New Yorkers with the highest quality small business advisement, training, and business research. 

The SBDC is funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of New York, local communities and host campuses. As a result of this support, the SBDC's confidential one-on-one business advisement services are provided at no cost to the citizens and entrepreneurs of New York.

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