Starting with more than 200 nominations, the field of 25 semi-finalists for the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce 30th Anniversary of Small Business Awards has been narrowed to 15 finalists and winners will be announced at a gala on Thursday, October 20. Fifteen area businesses, representing five business categories, will be recognized at the Chamber’s annual event.

This year’s finalists include:

Home-Based

B&W PC Consultants            Bill Thomas

Immaculate Janitorial Service, LLC                          LaShunda & Jerald Mangum

Yard Guards on Doody, LLC    Cheresee Rehart

Minority & Women Owned

Campbells Dairyland, Inc.

Jill & Jay Paules/James & Leesa Lee

Leonard’s Academy of Dance   Leonard Mardis

Tutoring Club of Valrico    Susan Prestridge

1-5 Employees

Community Insurance Group              Bill Puckett

Green Lizard Lawn Care, LLC

Thaddeus & Nicole Davis

Hi Tech Automotive         Joe and Melissa Canfield

6-15 Employees

Busciglio Orthodontics         Dr. Derek Busciglio

Park Square Cellar

Shawn & Mary Sarkisian & Kevin Fulcher

Valrico Animal Clinic           Dr. David Thomassy

16+ Employees

Hess Orthodontics

Dr. Michael A. Hess, DMD, MS

KnowledgePoints                          Rod Burkhardt

Superior Residences of Brandon Memory Care                           Jill Andrew

One winner from the finalists in each of the five categories will be recognized at the gala. The Osprey Observer will put out a special edition in October with business profiles on each of the finalists.

The Brandon Chamber’s tradition of the Small Business of the Year Awards continues to honor small business owners and the entrepreneurial spirit that enriches the economy of our local community and the nation. Nominees have been recognized by someone in the Greater Brandon community for their excellence in business. Criteria and eligibility for the awards include business status, how long business has been in operation, time restriction if previous winner of the award and member in good standing of the Brandon Chamber.

Mary Owens, who co-owns Black Diamond Associates, LLC, with Lisa Huetteman, received the Brandon Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award for home-based business in 2008.

“Winning the award added a level of credibility to my business that allowed me to position our firm as a valued partner to business of all sizes,” she commented. “It is a true honor just to be nominated.”

The 2011 event is sponsored by Bank of Tampa – Brandon Division. Supporting sponsors include Bright House Networks – Business Solutions, Crowne Plaza, Hanna, Lemar & Morris, C.P.A., and Tampa Digital, Inc. The Osprey Observer is the official media sponsor for the event.

The 30th Anniversary of Small Business Awards will be held at the Crowne Plaza Tampa East, located at 10221 Princess Palm Ave. A cocktail reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. Tickets are available for the banquet for $35 per person. Corporate tables of eight are available for $350. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To register, visit brandonchamber.com or call Jamie Reid at 689-1221, ext. 8843.

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