The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the 2023 Small Business Persons of the Year from each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The winners will be recognized on Sunday, April 30 and Monday, May 1 during the National Small Business Week (NSBW) awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. At the event, one of the state/territory winners will be announced as the 2023 National Small Business Person of the Year. This annual tradition, led by the SBA for more than 60 years, is co-hosted by SCORE, mentors to America’s small businesses. During NSBW, the SBA recognizes the hard work, ingenuity, and dedication of America’s small businesses, and celebrates their contributions to the economy.
“Our 2023 State Small Business Persons of the Year have given their all to achieve their American dream — to own and build a strong, resilient business; create jobs; increase competition and innovation and power America’s historic economic recovery,” said Administrator Guzman. “These incredible entrepreneurs show the vibrancy and grit of our nation’s small businesses. From Main Street to manufacturing hubs and tech centers, they are powering our economy. We hope their stories inspire and motivate the next generation of entrepreneurs.”
SBA’s Arizona Small Business Person of the Year is Jonathan “Woody” Woodruff, CEO of ORSA Technologies in Scottsdale and Sierra Vista. Twenty years of Army service instills in a soldier discipline, dedication, the value of team building and an increased ability to analyze and overcome challenges. These are also traits that characterize many successful entrepreneurs and why so many veterans succeed in small business. Woodruff is one such veteran and his is a story of commitment, hard work and success.
In 2014, Woodruff took up the small business challenge and started ORSA, an 8(a) and service- disabled veteran-owned defense contractor. The firm now has two locations in Arizona which provide information technology management services to the Department of Defense and private tele-medicine businesses. These services include engineering, communications, supply and logistics support.
Woodruff has participated in SBA’s 7(j) contracting training and continues to receive support from the Arizona District Office 8(a) Business Development team which includes assistance in federal acquisition training, proposal writing and government lead generation.
Community is important to Woodruff, who contributes to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Arizona, the Tucson Conquistadores Foundation and The Huachucans.
“We congratulate Jonathan Woodruff on being named Arizona Small Business Person of the Year,” said Robert J. Blaney, Arizona SBA District Director. “He exemplifies the leadership and dedication of our state’s entrepreneurs whose achievements promote job growth and economic recovery. We celebrate his success and honor his commitment to drive innovation and create opportunity in Arizona.”
National Small Business Week will celebrate small businesses, provide critical resources and recognize SBA partners for their support in providing startups and small business owners with counseling and advice, skills development, disaster preparedness and recovery, as well as access to capital, government contracting, and market opportunities to start, grow and build resilient businesses.
On May 4, Administrator Guzman will recognize Woodruff during a local awards ceremony as part of SBA’s NSBW Roadshow Tour. The Arizona Small Business Week awards ceremony will be hosted by the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) during their annual AZ BizCon event at the National Bank of Arizona headquarters in Phoenix from 1:00 to 5:00pm. For more information about attending the event contact ASBA at 602-306-4000.