Diverstiy News | Campus Diversity News
Robert Heyn named Minority Small Business Champion of the Year
May 5, 2008
The Pete Suazo Business Center’s Executive Director - Robert Heyn is set to receive the prestigious Utah District and the Region VIII U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Award: Minority Small Business Champion of the Year. The award will be presented during the 2008 Small Business Awards Luncheon on Monday, May 5, 2008 from 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
The recognition rings in a time for celebration for Heyn and the non-profit business development center that bears the name of the late Senator Pete Suazo. Established in the fall of 2002, the Pete Suazo Business Center (PSBC) continues to have a substantial impact on minority entrepreneurs and their families: “developing entrepreneurs” by offering classes, mentoring and networking to established and aspiring small business leaders. During Heyn’s tenure over 170 new small business companies have been helped to incorporate and in excess of a thousand companies have received mentoring and counseling at the center.
With the announcement of the award, Elton W. Ringsak, SBA Regional Administrator commended Robert Heyn for “having a positive impact in communities and playing a key role in the process of developing and supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the Rocky Mountain area.”
True to his nature, Heyn said “I will accept this award on behalf of the center and the people that have made the center a success. It is the success of our students and the businesses they have created that is being recognized for achievement.”
Upon hearing of the recognition, Gladys Gonzalez, founder of the PSBC center and board chair, cheered with delight “Robert’s receiving an award of this level is exciting! It validates how he works hard to fulfill our mission and honor Pete Suazo and his belief that ... ‘Utah is a land of possibility and opportunity’.”
The Pete Suazo Business Center is a business resource committed to the development and empowerment of the Latino/Hispanic and other underserved communities. The center provides assistance to help existing and potential minority entrepreneurs succeed and build wealth. For more information about the PSBC visit www.petesuazocenter.org or call (801) 521-1709.