The Howard County Economic Development Authority is pleased to announce that three local entrepreneurs have been acknowledged for their outstanding achievements at the 2010 Maryland Small Business Administration (SBA) Awards Breakfast held May 21 at Martin’s West in Woodlawn, MD.  The Maryland SBA Small Business Breakfast program honors small businesses that have helped Maryland become a great place to do business and whose contributions have been instrumental in supporting the national economy. Of the 11 awards given, Howard County proudly boasts three local winners and their achievements.

Meet the Howard County winners!

Lily Bengfort, President CenGen Inc., of Columbia was named the “Maryland Small Business Person of the Year.”   The National Small Business Week was held in Washington, D. C. the following week to recognize Small Business State winners from around the nation, at which Bengfort was recognized by SBA as Maryland’s awardee and was greeted with a handshake from President Obama.

CenGen is a multi-million dollar company specializing in tactical wireless communication networks for defense, homeland security, intelligence and first responder customers. The company’s mission is to save lives by providing the best communications possible to men and women serving our country.             

Bengfort shared that although CenGen was founded in the midst of the dot-com recession a decade ago, vision and persistence carried them through their initial startup phase and periodic downturns.  As CenGen continues to prosper, Bengfort attributes her success to CenGen’s employees, the Central Region Small Business Development Center (SBDC) whom nominated her for the award, the Howard County Economic Development Authority and its NeoTech Incubator. “NeoTech provides support in the form of business advice, counseling, and countless networking opportunities.  The facility’s space aids our development of highly mobile wireless tactical networks, so we can continue to expand and improve upon our capabilities” stated Bengfort.

Gloria Berthold Larkin, President of TargetGov in Elkridge, was awarded “Women in Business Champion of the Year.” The Women in Business Champion of the Year award recognizes individuals who have fulfilled a commitment to the advancement of women’s business ownership. 

Larkin, a passionate and dedicated mentor and strategic partner for fellow women business owners on the road to success, strives to pave the way for all small businesses. Through business development articles and TargetGov’s live database directory, Government Buyers Directory, Larkin has become one of the most valued assets in making connections with federal, state and local governments. 

Harold Santucci, Accounting Manager for Columbia based company, CBO Financial, won the SBA’s “Accountant Advocate of the Year” award. CBO Financial provides advocacy for low-income communities nationwide through investments of capital and expertise in economic development projects.

Santucci is not only employed by CBO Financial; he provides Chief Financial Officer services to nine other related business entities. His dedication in assisting agencies to plan and finance projects to revitalize economically distressed areas makes him a true asset to communities in need.

For more information about the Maryland Small Business Week Awards and to nominate a businesses for the 2011 event, please visit www.mdsbaawards.org.