The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and Kentucky District Office of the Small Business Administration will host the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, May 14 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT. The event recognizes high-performing small business owners from across Kentucky. 

“Kentucky’s small business owners continue to inspire me with their creativity, perseverance, and drive,” said Kristina Joyce, Kentucky SBDC state director. “Their hard work not only powers our economy but also builds stronger, more vibrant communities. Our Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event is all about honoring that spirit and recognizing the incredible impact these entrepreneurs have across the Commonwealth.”  

“It’s truly a privilege to honor Kentucky’s outstanding small business owners,” said Robert Coffey, SBA Kentucky district office director. “We proudly celebrate these exceptional entrepreneurs and the meaningful difference they make in their communities and across the state.”  

The 2025 Small Business Administration award winners include: 

• National Prime Contractor of the Year – Karen Renee Paschal, Conco Inc. 
• Southeast Region SBDC Excellence and Innovation Center of the Year – Michelle Spriggs, Kentucky SBDC in Eastern Kentucky 
• Southeast Region Women’s Business Center Excellence and Innovation Center of the Year – Devanny King, Women’s Business Center of Kentucky 
• National Rural Small Business Champion and Kentucky Rural Small Business of the Year – Melissa Carter, Solid Steel Solutions, Inc. 
• Kentucky Small Business of the Year – Crinda Francke, ExecuTrain Corporation 
• Kentucky Veteran Small Business of the Year – Brian Becker, A E Becker LLC 
• Kentucky Small Business Advocate of the Year – Kevin E. Fields, Sr., Louisville Central Community Center 
• Kentucky Financial Services Advocate of the Year – Dale Morgan, Foundation 47, LLC 
• Kentucky Women-Owned Small Business of the Year – Rhonda Cornett, Cornett Farm Fresh LLC 
• Kentucky Small Business Media of the Year – Clarence Leslie, The Louisville Defender Newspaper 

2025 Kentucky SBDC Pacesetter Award winners include: 

• 4 Hounds Gear & Grooming – owners Christopher Davis & Ken Mulvey, Covington 
• Aequitas Power Company – owner Jorge Diaz, Shelbyville 
• Drake Creek Golf Club – owner Josh Noles, Ledbetter 
• JBS Entertainment – owner Matthew Davenport, Maysville 
• Menifee Farm Supply – owner Gregory Spencer, Frenchburg 
• Moore Care Clinic – owners Michael & Tanya Moore, Beattyville 
• Owensboro Athletic Club – owner Dustin Edge, Owensboro 
• Social on Main – owner Neeley Hacker, Elizabethtown 
• Tropical Smoothie Cafe – owner Andre Jackson, Ashland 
• Walnut Specialists, Inc. – owner Bart Parrigin, Monticello 
• Wee Care Daycare & Preschool – owner Erin Green, Lexington 
• Wilson’s Grocery & Meats – owner Matt Bastin, Lexington 

For more information about the Kentucky SBDC Pacesetter Award or the Kentucky Celebrates Small Business event, please visit the Kentucky Small Business Development Center website at www.kentuckysbdc.com. 

Kentucky SBDC 

The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has been assisting the Commonwealth’s small business community for over 40 years. With centers statewide and an experienced and knowledgeable staff, the Kentucky SBDC provides unparalleled business coaching and training services at no cost to help existing business owners and potential entrepreneurs start, grow and succeed.  

Kentucky SBDC services include one-on-one business coaching, training workshops, access to market research, loan packaging help, assistance with financial projections and information needed to make informed business decisions.   

Kentucky SBDC is co-sponsored by the U.S. Small Business Administration and administered by the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in partnership with regional academic institutions, economic development organizations, the private sector and the Commonwealth of Kentucky. 

SBA 

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. 

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Writer: Ryan Ferguson, rferguson@uky.edu 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is an Equal Opportunity Organization with respect to education and employment and authorization to provide research, education information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. 

Kentucky SBDC is funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U. S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, conclusions or recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of SBA.