TAMPA – Several members of the Florida Small Business Development Center at University of South Florida were recognized Aug. 19 at the Sunseeker Resort during the Florida SBDC Network’s Performance Excellence Awards.
The event celebrates outstanding contributions across Florida’s nine regional small business development centers.
“We were honored to attend the Florida SBDC Network’s Annual Awards and celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of our team,” said Carl Hadden, regional director of the Florida SBDC at USF. “We are especially proud of our award-winning team members whose dedication to helping entrepreneurs succeed was recognized with the Florida Rising Star Award and Lifetime Achievement Awards for New Business Starts and Capital Access.”
Randy Hayes, assistant director and business consultant at the Florida SBDC at USF, has been named the Florida Rising Star of the Year. This award recognizes employees with fewer than five years of service who have made a difference in their region. Hayes was recognized for his contributions to small business growth, leading the state in new business starts and capital transactions while consistently delivering strong client service and results.
Several team members were recognized for their extraordinary contributions to Florida’s small business community, including Capital Access Lifetime Achievement awardees:
- Bill Burnham, Florida SBDC at USF – $75M-plus
- Brad Owens, Florida SBDC at USF – $50M-plus
New Business Starts Lifetime Achievement awardees were:
- Bill Burnham, Florida SBDC at USF – 125-plus
- Randy Hayes, Florida SBDC at USF – 125-plus
- Kurt Forster, Florida SBDC at PCED – 75-plus
- Debra Schweikowsky, Florida SBDC at PCED – 75-plus
Two team members were honored for their years of service: Yanina Rosario (15 years) and Bill Burnham (10 years).
