Maui's Gannon wins SBA award | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Maui's Gannon wins SBA award | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper

Posted on: Monday, March 24, 2008

Maui's Gannon wins SBA award

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Bev Gannon

Bev Gannon, owner of Hali'imaile General Store and Joe's Bar on Maui, has been chosen Hawai'i's Small Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration.

Gannon launched her entrepreneurial career more than 20 years ago with a catering business run out of her garage. She began with three workers in 1985, and now employs about 130.

One of the 12 founders of Hawaii Regional Cuisine, Gannon prepares her award-winning dishes in an old plantation store in Makawao.

Johnson Choi, who was recognized as the state Minority Small Business Champion, also won at the Western regional level and was named the national award winner in the category.

Choi, president of the Hong Kong-China-Hawai'i Chamber of Commerce, works with many Asian immigrants to start businesses, particularly in the area of exporting.

Hawai'i had three other regional winners.

Bill Spencer, head of the Hawaii Venture Capital Association, won in the category of Financial Services.

Pam Tumpap, of the Maui Chamber of Commerce, won in the category of Small Business Journalist.

David Fell, of Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, won in the category of Small Business Exporter.

Other state winners:

Rex Matsuno, president of the Hilo, Hawai'i-based seafood company Suisan Co., received the Entrepreneurial Success Award;

Thomas Park, owner of Leather Soul, was named Young Entrepreneur of the Year;

Joann Seery, owner of BNI Hawaii, was named Women in Business Champion;

Jonathan Ota, fourth-generation owner of Tip Top Care & Bakery in Lihu'e, Kaua'i, won in the category of Family Owned Small Business.

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