May 20, 2011

Washington, D.C. – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today honored six Nevada Small Business Award winners during National Small Business Week. These entrepreneurs employ the ingenuity and independence that epitomize Nevada’s pioneering spirit and exemplify the increasing diversity of Nevada’s economy. The Nevada District office of the U.S. Small Business Administration selected the honorees.

“The health and vitality of small businesses in Nevada are critical to our economy,” said Reid. “I congratulate this year’s small business award winners from Nevada for this achievement, especially in an economic climate where we are slowly moving toward recovery. I remain committed to doing everything I can to provide additional relief to Nevada’s small businesses while creating good-paying jobs that can’t be shipped overseas.”

The following are the six award-winning entrepreneurs for Nevada:

• Cliff Evarts of Las Vegas, Small Business Person of the Year. Evarts is the founder and CEO of Vegas Weddings, a company that bucks the image of the Las Vegas wedding industry by providing traditional weddings in high-quality.

• Daniel and Amy Rios of Las Vegas, Microenterprise Business Person of the Year. Daniel and Amy Rios are co-owners of DTR Transport, a family owned and operated trucking company based in Las Vegas.

• Vickie Francovich of Reno, Women in Business Champion of the Year. Francovich is the president and CEO of Building Solutions in Reno, a general contracting construction firm that successfully navigated a segment of the Nevada economy particularly hard hit by the recession.

• William Kunz of Reno, Family‐Owned Business of the Year. Kunz is the CEO of Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems in Reno. The Kunz family has served northern Nevada for more than 30 years.

• Peter Guzman of Las Vegas, Minority Small Business Champion of the Year.  Guzman is the executive director of the Valley Center Opportunity Zone (VCOZ). The VCOZ was born from collaborations between the Hispanic and African-American communities in Las Vegas. The organization provides grants to firms and has helped dozens of small businesses reach their goals against long odds.

• Luwana Masteller of Las Vegas, Home Based Business Champion of the Year. Masteller is the owner of VastArray Advertising Design in Las Vegas. This company specializes in strategic graphic design and marketing services.

Every year during National Small Business Week, the contributions of more than 27 million small businesses across the country are recognized. These entrepreneurs make a huge impact on the economy and within communities. More than half of all Americans either own or work for a small businesses. These firms spur innovation and job creation, and help Nevada and the United States remain competitive in the global market.

###