Mainers garner federal small-business awards Snowe, Michaud, SBA announce winners

The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced the winners of its annual awards, recognizing contributions and achievements in the small-business communities of Maine and New England.

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud, SBA Administrator Steven C. Preston and SBA New England Regional Administrator Charles E. Summers Jr. announced the winners at a press conference Wednesday in Fairfield.

The following individuals and businesses won in Maine categories:

. 2007 Small Business Person of the Year: Michael R. Boulet, president of Mainely Trusses Inc. in Fairfield. Boulet is in the running for SBA National Small Business Person of the year.

. Small Business Exporter of the Year: John H. Powell, president and CEO of Wahlco/Metroflex Inc. in Lewiston.

. Jeffrey H. Butland SBA Family-Owned Small Business of the Year: David M. Whitney, president, Whitney’s Blueberries, Whitney Wreath and Whitney Tool Shed in Machias.

. Women in Business Champion: Audrey Mary Zimmerman, Houlton Center coordinator and microenterprise trainer, Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community, Houlton.

. Veteran Small Business Champion: Steven Wayne Wallace, planning officer for veterans and dislocated workers, BRAC Transition Center, U.S. Naval Air Station, Brunswick.

. Financial Services Champion: John C. Witherspoon, CEO, Finance Authority of Maine.

The following individuals won in Maine and New England categories and are in the running for the national award category:

. Home-Based Business Champion: M. Jane Searles, regional manager, Maine Centers for Women, Work and Community.

. Small Business Journalist: Deborah Adams Neuman, host of WVOM 103.9 FM’s “Back to Business” radio show and director of the Target Technology Incubator at the University of Maine in Orono.

Winners will receive their awards at the SBA awards celebration on May 31.