FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: November 30, 2007

More than 500 entrepreneurs and business leaders attended the ninth-annual University of Washington Minority Business of the Year Awards ceremony, November 29 at the Seattle Westin. This largest gathering of the state's minority business community recognized outstanding achievement by people of color in building and growing businesses in Washington State.

The annual awards are presented by the UW Business and Economic Development Program at the Michael G. Foster School of Business, in partnership with Boeing, Washington Mutual and the Puget Sound Business Journal, which has published a special feature on the award winners in this week’s issue.

The 2007 UW Minority Businesses of the Year are:

William D. Bradford Minority Business of the Year Award:
Apollo (Kennewick)
(This is the premier award presented each year to the minority-owned business, which has been judged to have the largest revenues, highest quality of management, and excellent community service)

Distinguished Business Achievement Award:
Marpac Construction LLC (Seattle)
(Presented to a company with sales of between $10 million and $40 million that has been judged to have a combination of the largest revenues, highest quality of management, and excellent community service)

Emerging Business Award:
Synergy Systems (Redmond)
(Presented to a company with sales of between $2 million and $10 million, which has been judged to have been successful in growing its revenue, developing superior management and contributing excellent community service)

Business of Tomorrow Award:
Woodburn Co. (Everett)
(Presented to a business with less than $2 million in revenue that is judged to have significant likelihood of future growth)

Rising Star Award:
Warrior Electric (Spokane)
(Presented to the minority-owned business that has experienced the highest percentage growth in revenue during the last three fiscal years)

BEDC Hall of Fame Inductees:
Maya's Family Mexican Restaurant
Mazatlan Mexican Restaurant
Torero's Mexican Restaurant
(Established in 2004, the BEDC Hall of Fame recognizes businesses owned by people of color who have demonstrated significant success and who have made it possible for others to follow in their footsteps.)

Delivering the evening's keynote address was Karen Lee, commissioner of the Employment Security Department for the state of Washington, speaking on behalf of Washington Governor Christine Gregoire who was unable to attend due to the legislature's special session. Lee is a graduate of West Point and the University of Washington Law School, a former president of the UW Alumni Association and a current member of the Governor's Executive Cabinet.

Proceeds from the UW Minority Businesses of the Year Awards banquet fund scholarships for under-represented minority students at the Foster School of Business. During the academic year, these BEDC Fellows give back to the community by mentoring and tutoring high school students of color in a program called Young Executives of Color which is run by the Undergraduate Diversity Services office.

The UW Business and Economic Development Center expands students' experiential knowledge and skills; helps small businesses grow, create and retain jobs; stimulates innovative research in economic development; and opens educational opportunities for under-represented minority students.