Small Businesses, Big Successes
BWXT Y-12 Honors Small Businesses; Small Businesses, Big Successes
Tues, 31 August 2006
The Y-12 National Security Complex of the future is a vibrant place, and small businesses have a role there. This year's Socioeconomic Programs annual awards program held on August 30, 2006, recognized the small businesses with which Y‑12 does business and the Y-12 employees who advocate working with small businesses.
Matt Kisber, Tennessee's Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, was the keynote speaker.
“When I talk to people in small business, I like to talk from the heart,” said Kisber, who grew up in a family who owned a small business.
“You can't be a big business without starting as a small business. Innovation and creativity are essential to succeed,” Kisber said. He told the audience it is no surprise that Tennessee is one of the top five states for doing business because the wealth of the state—the business and people—is found in communities throughout the state.
Ted Sherry, the National Nuclear Security Administration's Y-12 Site Office manager, said that small businesses bring technologies and flexibility to Y‑12 and help shape the future Y‑12.
“Small businesses are a key component of our national economy, and Y‑12 plays a role in that by partnering with small businesses,” Sherry said.
Five small businesses and four small-business advocates were recognized at the ceremony.
- Mid-American Precision Products of Joplin, Missouri, received the small business of the year award.
- Locally-owned Navarro Research and Engineering received the small, disadvantaged business award.
- G&S Construction Company received the woman-owned small business award.
- Haselwood Services and Manufacturing received this year's hub-zone small business award.
- The small veteran-owned business award went to Cherokee Steel Supply from Connors, Georgia.
Kevin Finney, division manager of Applied Technologies, received the division manager award. William Hevrdeys of Y‑12 Construction, Paul Hight of Y‑12 Manufacturing and Lynn Taylor of Information and Materials received the small business advocate award. These awards are presented to Y-12 employees who encourage and support working with small businesses.
BWXT Y-12, a limited liability enterprise of BWX Technologies and Bechtel National Inc., operates the Y‑12 National Security Complex for the National Nuclear Security Administration.