The Kansas Department of Commerce’s Office of Minority and Women Business Development will host its 27th Annual Minority and Women Business Awards Luncheon at noon, Oct. 11, in the Emerald Ballroom, Capitol Plaza Hotel, 1717 Southwest Topeka Boulevard, Topeka, Kan. 66612.
The event will recognize 12 Kansas companies and three individuals for their support of minority and women-owned businesses and their efforts toward creating opportunities. The luncheon coincides with Kansas Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, the Department’s annual celebration of Kansas’ minority and women entrepreneurs.
“Strengthening and expanding minority and women-owned businesses will be key to Kansas if our state is to overcome its current economic challenges,” said Kansas Commerce Secretary Pat George. “I am proud to help recognize the contributions of these business leaders during Kansas Minority Enterprise Development Week.”
The registration fee for the luncheon is $40 per person, or $320 per table of eight. Registration is required, and the deadline to registration is Oct. 5. To register or for more information, visit KansasCommerce.com/MEDWeek or contact Rhonda Harris, director of the Office of Minority and Women Business Development, at (785) 296-3425 or rharris@kansascommerce.com. PTMW Inc., a metal fabrication and assembly facility based in Topeka, is a gold level sponsor of the lunch.
The Office of Minority and Women Business Development provides assistance in business development, identifying resources for financing and establishing contacts in the public and private sectors. The office is responsible for certifying minority and women-owned businesses as small disadvantaged businesses for procurement and subcontracting opportunities.
Company Awards—Kansas Women-Owned Businesses
ConstructionWEB Contracting, Inc.F. Lynette Burkhart25606 Old KC Road, Suite HPaola, Kan. 66071(913) 783-4830lynette@webcontracting.biz
ManufacturerOz WineryBrooke Balderson417 Lincoln St.Wamego, Kan. 66547(785) 456-7417brooke@ozwinerykansas.com
Professional ServicePalmer Physical Therapy for WomenPam Palmer, PT2020 N. Webb Rd, Suite 104Wichita, Kan. 67206(316) 630-9944pam@palmerpt.com
RetailMakun, Inc.Mary Kueny809 BroadwayMarysville, Kan. 66508(785) 562-6690makuninc@bluevalley.net
ServiceBeto Junction Travel PlazaTeri Roe Williams2775 US Hwy 75Lebo, Kan. 66856(620) 256-6311Terirw@gmail.com
Supplier/DistributerWhite x WhiteKristen White6700 SW Topeka Blvd, Building #384Topeka, Kan. 66609(785) 862-9448kristen@whitexwhite.net
Company Awards—Kansas Minority Owned Businesses
ConstructionSkyline Construction Co., Inc.Robin Sawyer9120 Flint St.Overland Park, Kan. 66214(913) 642-7100rsawyer@skyline-kc.com
ManufacturerJR Custom Metal Products, Inc.Maria Kailer, Patricia Koehler, Jorge Martinez and Raul Martinez2237 S. West Street Ct.Wichita, Kan. 67213(316) 263-1318pkoehler@jrcustommetal.com
Professional ServiceVista Connections, Inc.Judy Donnelly12120 State Line Road, #292Leawood, Kan. 66209(913) 219-8370judy.donnelly@vistaconnections.com
RetailNeives’ Mexican RestaurantMercedes McCreary119 E. 9th AvenueWinfield, Kan. 67156(620) 229-7600taco@neives.kscoxmail.com
Service Patterson Family Child CareMelissa Patterson2347 SE WisconsinTopeka, Kan. 66605(785) 783-3960pfccpp@aol.com
Supplier/DistributorWilliam and Wen Hua YouSun Marble, LLC9600 Dice LaneLenexa, Kan. 66215(913) 438-3366youwmkc@yahoo.com
Individual Awards
Minority Business AdvocateBonnie FullinwiderHawker Beechcraft CorporationP.O. Box 85Wichita, Kan. 67201(316) 676-8502bonnie_fullinwider@hawkerbeechcraft.com
Women Business AdvocateDonna CraigLeadership ResourcesP.O. Box 12425Overland Park, Kan. 66282(913) 599-4511donna@leadershipresourcesks.com
Young Entrepreneur Jackie KopaskaJackie K Bags1952 Sheridan Bridge Ln.Olathe, Kan. 66062(913) 829-6309tskopaska@sbclglobal.net