National Awards in Excellence For Women-Owned Businesses Announced

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Each year the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the leader in women's business development, honors 14 exemplary women business leaders with the nation's premier award for excellence in small business leadership—the WBE Star Award.  

The 2016 WBENC WBE Stars are selected by WBENC's 14 Regional Partner Organizations (RPOs), which process WBENC's world-class certification, in addition to providing skills- and business-building programs in their respective regions.

"WBENC's 14 WBE Stars are exceptional leaders who are forging new ways to deliver value to their customers and their communities," said Pamela Prince-Eason, President and CEO of WBENC. "They illustrate the powerful contributions that women's businesses make to the economic growth of this nation."

The WBE Stars listed below will be honored at an award ceremony and gala during WBENC's annual Summit & Salute on March 22 to 24, 2016 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona. WBENC's Summit & Salute is sponsored by Accenture, EY, and Ampcus, and in addition to honoring these successful women business owners, the event is a two-day event providing vital access to the thought leaders, elevating senior-level networking opportunities, and providing business intelligence that enables sustainable growth for WBENC-Certified WBEs.

The following women business leaders are the 2016 WBENC WBE Stars:

{in alphabetical order}

Camille Austin
President
Elite Roofing Services, Inc.
RPO: Women's Business Development Council of Florida

Michelle Bell
CEO
1st Choice, LLC
RPO: Women Presidents' Educational Organization- DC

Doreen Blades
President
US Eco Products Corporation
RPO: Center for Women & Enterprise

Linda Boasmond
President
Cedar Concepts Corporation
RPO: Women's Business Development Center- Chicago

Rose Ann DaRe
President
Hydro Dyne Inc
RPO: Ohio River Valley Women's Business Council

Debbie Drury
President
Market Doctors Direct
RPO: Women's Business Enterprise Alliance

Joan LaGrasse
CEO
Imagen, LLC
RPO: Women's Business Enterprise Council South

Jennifer Maier
CEO
Women's Distribution Services
RPO: Greater Women's Business Council

Margaret Marcucci
CEO
Coranet Corp
RPO: Women Presidents' Educational Organization- NY

Carrie Martinez
President
CM Productions, Inc.
RPO: Women's Business Council- Southwest

Susan Munro
President
Hybrid Collective
RPO: Women's Business Enterprise Council- West

Carol Philp
President
CPI Creative
RPO: Women's Business Enterprise Council PA, DE, sNJ

Serafina Schorer
CEO
RIM Custom Racks
RPO: Great Lakes Women's Business Council

Kelly Sparks
CEO
VMG/ studio520
RPO: Astra Women's Business Alliance

CONTACT:
For more information, including interviews, videos, and images with the WBE Stars, please contact the WBENC Press Office at [email protected].

About WBENC
Founded in 1997, WBENC is the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women, with more than 12,000 WBENC-Certified WBEs. WBENC certification is accepted by more than 1,000 corporations representing America's most prestigious brands, in addition to many states, cities and other entities. Throughout the year, WBENC and its 14 Regional Partner Organizations provide opportunities for interactions between more than 650 member corporations, government agencies and thousands of certified WBEs at business building events and other forums. WBENC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that seeks and accepts donations from corporations, foundations and individuals that support its mission and programs. For more information, please go to www.wbenc.org.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151214/295613

SOURCE Women's Business Enterprise National Council

Related Links

http://www.wbenc.org