Each year the Small Business Council of America (SBCA) honors a business person with the Small Business Person Award. This Award was renamed “Mort Harris Small Business Person Award” in 2017 in honor of SBCA co-founder Mort Harris who passed away in 2015. The award honors an American businessman or woman for outstanding accomplishments in promoting a favorable environment for the small businesses of America.
The winner will be recognized and honored in person at our Congressional Awards Reception including dinner, in Washington, D.C., in May.
The Award Committee is seeking nominations from SBCA members who have been in good standing for at least one year. Nominees do not have to be members of the SBCA, but must be U.S. citizens. If you would like to nominate someone for this Award, please send us: (1) a full biography of the nominee, (2) a narrative statement with as much specific information as possible about the nominee’s qualifications for selection; and (3) while not required, we welcome and encourage supporting endorsements from business and government leaders, employees, etc. The narrative statement should include information regarding how the nominee meets the following criteria:
• Dedication to small business in America through promotion of a climate favorable to free enterprise;
• Promotion of a positive image of American business through excellent business, civic or corporate leadership; and
• Leadership in advancing the interest of small business in America by efforts and accomplishments in affecting the legislative and regulatory environment.
To allow adequate time to evaluate the nominees, nominations must be received by April. Nominations should be mailed to: Small Business Person of the Year Committee, c/o Jessica Summers Lerch, Early & Brewer, 7600 Wisconsin Ave, 7thFloor, Bethesda, MD 20814, (301) 657 3442. You may also email Jessica at [email protected].
The award winner will receive a stipend of up to $1,000 to pay for travel expenses to Washington, D.C. and will receive national, regional and local publicity. The award winner will also receive a complimentary SBCA membership for 1 calendar year.
From time to time we have been asked for more information on who should be nominated beyond the general criteria listed above. Due to the diverse nature and impact of small businesses, it is not really possible to define one type of person who will receive this award in any given year. As you can see, our award winners come from many parts of the country. They represent the best of us what small business can be and inspire us to continue our advocacy efforts. We encourage you to nominate a small business person for the SBCA’s Mort Harris Small Business Person Award. Nominations should be in letter format along with any other written materials from outside sources to support your nomination.
Nominations are due no later than April.