The 35th Annual 2017 MED Week Awards Ceremony will recognize minority entrepreneurs and minority-owned businesses that have exemplified excellence and innovation across various industries and have contributed to San Antonio’s economy.
SAN ANTONIO, October 5, 2017 – The UTSA Institute for Economic Development’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center San Antonio will host its 35th Annual Minority Enterprise Development Week (MED Week) from October 9-13, 2017. This year’s theme, “Bridging Generations,” highlights area entrepreneurs and businesses from across generations that have impacted the San Antonio region.
Funded by the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, the MBDA Business Center San Antonio is part of a nationwide network of more than 40 MBDA business centers that have business specialists who support minority businesses access markets and capital.
The media is invited to attend the awards luncheon: On October 12, the San Antonio MBDA Business Center will host its Annual MED Week Awards Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Norris Conference Center.
UTSA, the Institute for Economic Development and the San Antonio MBDA Business Center congratulate the 2017 MED Week award recipients who will be recognized at the luncheon.
MINORITY OWNED FIRMS
Minority Technology Firm of the Year: Via Technology, Manuel Villa
Minority Advanced Manufacturing Firm of the Year: Rave Gears, LLC, Nick Patel
Minority Construction Firm of the Year: Bradlink, LLC, Hellen Callier
Minority Hospitality/Food Service Firm of the Year: Fusion Cuisine Catering, Genaro Treviño
Minority Professional Services Firm of the Year: Dracko Merchandising, Jorge Gutierrez
Minority Veteran Firm of the Year: K-Air Corporation, Kyle Villarreal
Minority Legacy Firm of the Year: La Familia Cortez Restaurants, La Familia Cortez
Minority Entrepreneur of the Year: Edward Pape, Vaquero Group, LLC
Minority Mergers & Acquisitions Achievement: CellRight Technologies, Jesus Hernandez
MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CHAMPIONS
Minority Federal Contractor of the Year: Rebecca Contreras, AvantGarde, LLC
Distinguished Business Advocate of the Year: Lara Hodgson, NOW Corporation
Chairman’s Award: Hispanic Contractors Association de San Antonio, Dave Sanchez
For more information about MED Week 2017 and to register for the luncheon, visit www.samedweek.org and to learn more about the MBDA San Antonio Business Center, visit www.sanantoniombdacenter.com
About the UTSA Institute for Economic Development
The UTSA Institute for Economic Development is dedicated to growing businesses, creating jobs and fostering economic development. Focused on building the economy one business at a time, the Institute consists of 10 centers and programs that provide professional business advising, technical training, research and strategic planning for entrepreneurs, business owners and community leaders. These programs serve Greater San Antonio, the Texas-Mexico border area as well as regional, national and international stakeholders. Together with the federal, state and local governments, and private businesses, the UTSA Institute for Economic Development fosters economic and community development in support of UTSA’s community engagement mission. In 2016, the Institute generated direct regional economic impact of 7,517 jobs, started 591 new businesses, $447 million in new financing, $78 million in new tax revenue and exceeded $1.4 billion in new sales, exports and contracts. For more information, visit www.iedtexas.org.
