2026 Regional Performance and Small Business Award Winners
Florida SBDC at USF Announces 2026 Regional Performance and Small Business Award Winners
TAMPA (May 14, 2026) – The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida (USF) announced its 2026 performance and small business award winners on May 13, 2026, during the 2026 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards held at USF’s Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center. Winners are now eligible for Florida SBDC Network state awards. State award winners will be announced at the Network’s Annual Conference, held in Port Charlotte this coming August.
During the awards, attendees heard a welcome message from the City of Tampa Mayor, Jane Castor, a keynote message from Haddy CEO and Co-Founder, Jay Rogers, and remarks from USF Muma College of Business Dean, David W. Blackwell, Ph.D. and state director of the Florida SBDC Network, Greg Britton. Below is a list of all the award winners, including Florida SBDC at USF regional performance award winners, Florida SBDC at USF regional small business award winners, and SBA award winners.
“Our Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards was a truly inspiring celebration of the resilience, innovation, and impact of our small business community across the Tampa Bay region,” Carl Hadden, Regional Director of the Florida SBDC at USF said. “It was an honor to recognize the outstanding achievements of the entrepreneurs we serve as well as the Florida SBDC professionals who help businesses in our 10-county Tampa Bay region thrive. At the Florida SBDC at USF, we are proud to stand alongside these exceptional businesses and remain committed to supporting their continued growth and success. Congratulations to all the award winners and I can’t wait to see you all in May 2027, for our next awards luncheon!”
For more detailed information on each award winner, visit www.SBDCTampaBay.com/Award-Winners
Rising Star of the Year:
Randy Hayes
Team Spirit of the Year:
Barry Haynes
Bill Burnham
Ambassador of the Year Award: Eve Mayhew
Resource Partner of the Year: BankUnited, Ian Norkin
APEX Pinnacle Award: Karen Krymski
Graduate Student Team Project of the Year: MVH Construction, LLC
SBDC Start Up Business of the Year: Elevated Embers
SBDC Veteran-Owned Business of the Year: WeGoAllPlaces, LLC
SBDC Blue Collar Business of the Year: MVH Construction, LLC
SBDC Small Business of the Year: Morlock Enterprises dba GM Corporate Suites
SBA 2026 Florida State Award Manufacturer Owner of the Year: Spectrum Custom Molds & Manufacturing, Inc.
Team Member Recognition (29 Years of Service & Retirement Announcement): Nelson Reyes
Read more about the winners in our event program at www.SBDCTampaBay.com/Award-Winners
Media Contact: Stephanie Ordonez, ordonez25@usf.edu
About the Florida SBDC at USF
The Florida SBDC at USF helps create a better Florida for all by providing businesses the expertise and resources needed to succeed and grow. The Florida SBDC at the University of South Florida is a member of the Florida SBDC Network, a statewide partnership program nationally accredited by the Association of America’s SBDCs and funded in part by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Department of War, State of Florida, and other private and public partners, with the University of West Florida serving as the network’s headquarters. Full funding disclosure available at www.floridasbdc.org/funding-disclosures/. Florida SBDC services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. Language assistance services are available for individuals with limited English proficiency. For more information, please visit SBDCTampaBay.com.
