Dr. Jonn Kim, President & CEO, GaN Corporation, enthusiastically accepts his award as finalist in the Entrepreneur of the Year category at the 24th Annual Small Business Awards.

Lori King-Taylor and her “Hero” Richard King, are all smiles after winning Small Business of the Year in the Personal Services category.

According to Beth Martin, the Chamber’s vice chair for small business, the success of small business in Huntsville/Madison County is the backbone of the local economy.

“This event is truly an inspirational showcase of the talent and contributions our small businesses, entrepreneurs and young professionals make in our community,” she said.

Irma Tuder, chair of the Chamber’s board of directors, praised all of the winners and nominees for the impact they had on the Huntsville/Madison County community and economy.

“Often a community’s economic well-being is measured by how many large companies are located there and how well they are doing. And that is certainly a very critical element to any economy. But it is the small businesses and the heroes who founded them, operate them and grow them that comprise the real economic foundation for a community,” Tuder said.

She also praised not only the diversity of the industries in the Huntsville/Madison County community, but the diversity of its leaders.

“This wonderful diversity of small business products and services, cultures and leadership illustrate why our community is widely considered a smart place to live, work and play for people from all walks of life who come together to build a better future,” Tuder said. And to win against the high level of competition in Huntsville/Madison County is saying something, she added.

“We are proudly represented by some of the very best small businesses our community has to offer. And the best of our best stacks up very well with the best in our nation,” Tuder said.

2009 Small Business Award Finalists and Winners

Personal Services
Eagle Collision Center, Inc. - WINNER
Appleton Learning
Enfinger Steele Development, Inc.

Business Services
Millennium Systems Services, Inc. - WINNER
Foliage Design Systems
ALOG Corporation

Technology Services
Davidson Technologies, Inc. - WINNER
deciBel Research, Inc.
Digium, Inc.

Non-Profit
Downtown Rescue Mission - WINNER
Choose Life of North Alabama, Inc.
Harris Home for Children

Young Professional of the Year
Olly Orton – Smith Barney - WINNER
Allison Gregg – Leadership Huntsville/Madison County, Inc.
Khalilah Burton – J.F. Drake State Technical College

Entrepreneur of the Year
Glenn Clayton – Appleton Learning - WINNER
Paul Gierow – GATR Technologies
Jonn Kim – GaN Corporation

The event, presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, featured hosts Jamie McGriff of WHNT News 19, and John Malone from Lite 96.9.