Ron Klein prepares to cut the ribbon with Ron Poteat, Mayor Loretta Spencer, and Sandy Klein at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Belzon, Inc. on May 22.

“I am so appreciative you’ve come to celebrate our progress. Ten years ago, we were a one-man company, and now we have 80 employees,” said Klein. The company has grown from $331,000 in revenue in 1998 to $11.6 million in 2008.

“We are pleased that Ron Klein recognized Huntsville as a smart place to start a business and that this company has continually expanded its presence in our community,” said Ron Poteat, vice chair of Research and Information Services for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County. Poteat served as master of ceremonies at the event.

“I want to thank you, Ron, for investing in Huntsville and participating in the community,” said Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer. “We’re looking forward to your continued success, and we thank you for what you do for our military.”

Klein recently learned that the National Small Business Association had named him one of five finalists for the 2008 Small Business Advocate of the Year.

Klein served as the vice chair for small business for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County. Through his Chamber volunteer work, he worked to create, staff and populate many successful business training classes, and oversaw myriad small-business programs. He volunteers regularly for area small-business initiatives, has served as an entrepreneurial mentor, and spurred the development of a community-wide, inclusive small-business coalition. Under Klein’s leadership, Belzon, a defense services business, has grown from $331,000 in revenue in 1998 to $11.6 million in 2008.

In addition to highlighting outstanding achievements from the best in the small business community, the award holds special significance this year. For the first time in 2008, it will be made in honor of the late Lewis Shattuck, the pioneering small-business advocate and long-time president of the Smaller Business Association of New England.

Other finalist are P.J. Goel, of Goel Services, Inc. in Washington D.C.; Harold Jackson, co-founder of Buffalo Supply, Inc. in Lafayette, Colo,; Anthony Jiminez, president and CEO of MicroTech, LLC in Vienna, Va; and Joseph Melookaran, founder of JMA Chartered and JMA Information Technology (JMA-IT) in Overland Park, Kan.

The criteria used in determining award finalists included a commitment to small business advocacy, a proven history of volunteer activism on behalf of the small-business community, and success and growth as a small-business owner. The five finalists and one winner will be recognized at the annual Small Business Advocate of the Year Award Luncheon on June 3, 2008, held in conjunction with the NSBA Washington Presentation in Washington D. C.