The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) North Florida District Office is pleased to announce the SBA’s 2008 Small Business Week winners.

Anne V. Stokes, Ph.D., President and Principal of Southeastern Archeological Research, Inc. (SEARCH) has been named the 2008 Small Business Person of the Year for the SBA North Florida District. Dr. Stokes has grown SEARCH from a staff of three working on six projects per year in 1993 to a staff of 40 working on 230 projects per year from five offices located in Florida and North Carolina,” says Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, SBA District Director “Dr. Stokes demonstrates entrepreneurialism and true small business success everyday as an active participant in the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a) Business Development Program. Her consistent drive for success is apparent in the high rate of renewed contracts as well as her extremely high staff retention rate.

Each year for the past 42 years, the President has issued a proclamation declaring Small Business Week as a time for America to salute the achievements and contributions of the Nation’s 25 million small businesses.  The National Small Business Week Celebration will be held April 21-25 in Washington DC (for more information visit www.sba.gov). The SBA is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding small business owners across North Florida.

U.S. Senator Mel Martinez Letter to SEARCH

Florida Senator Lee Constantine Letter to SEARCH