LORETTO - The St. Francis University Small Business Development Center will honor the winners of its 2012 Small Business Awards today at the annual awards luncheon at the JFK Center on campus.
This year's winners for achievement among the Southern Alleghenies Region's entrepreneurs and small business advocates are:
n Small Business Person of the Year: Dave Whysong, Weissang Inc., New Paris
After nearly 10 years working for another employer in the pharmacy industry, Whysong started Whysong's Pharmacy in October 2003 with the first location in New Paris. During the first full year of business, gross sales reached $1 million. He then expanded the business by purchasing Fisher's Pharmacy in Bedford. The business employees 13 people and by the end of 2012, gross sales are expected to reach $5 million.
n Small Business Exporter of the Year: Guy Berkebile, Guy Chemical Co. Inc., Somerset
Founded in 1995, Guy Chemical specializes in filling viscous materials into metal and plastic squeeze tubes and cartridges. The company packages automotive, industrial and home consumer items. The first order in 1995 was for a client in Egypt. Since 1995, more than 70 percent of its products are shipped outside the United States. Today, Guy Chemical has 60 employees and sales greater than $20 million.
n Financial Services Advocate of the Year: Glenn L. Wilson, AmeriServ Financial, Johnstown
During a career of more than 35 years, Wilson has directed banking operations in various banking institutions. He has been with AmeriServ since 2009 as president and chief operating officer. A highlight of his career is his involvement with Risk Management Association.
n Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Jonathan Miller, Dimples LLC, Ashville
Dimples helps individuals and organizations to conserve ink/toner when printing documents with its unique perforations (or "dimples") method. Dimples was formally organized in 2011. Miller has received recognition in several business pitch competitions at both St. Francis and Mount Aloysius College. Additionally, he was selected as a participant in the Innoblue start-up program at Penn State University.
n The Richard Crawford Award: U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, D-12 District
Critz sits on the House Small Business Committee and is the ranking member on its Agriculture, Energy and Trade Subcommittee. In March, he initiated "Critz Small Business Week" creating an opportunity to learn from local small businesses what works and how the federal government can help small businesses grow and create new jobs.
