Minority Business Award Winners and Runners-Up Announced

For Immediate Release: September 18, 2009
Contact: Tony Hozeny, Department of Commerce, 608-267-9661

MADISON - Winners of the Marketplace 2009 special business awards were announced at the 28th annual Marketplace Trade Fair, held Sept. 16 at the Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center, Pewaukee. The event is sponsored by the Department of Commerce (Commerce).

"Commerce is firmly committed to the development of a broad base of minority businesses that provide quality goods and services," said Commerce Secretary Richard J. Leinenkugel. "These awards showcase the tremendous achievements of minority businesses in Wisconsin."

The top-ranked finalists in the four award categories are:

Outstanding Business - Large Company (having more than 25 employees)

Mantz Automation, Inc.: Denise Mantz, President, and Robert Mantz, Vice President, Hartford

Runners-up:
Market Probe, Inc.: T. R. Rao, President and CEO, Milwaukee
DAAR Engineering: Abdulhamid Ali, President, and Frank D' Amato, Milwaukee

Outstanding Business - Small Category (having 25 or fewer employees)

HiTech Integrated Solutions, LLC: Seaphes Miller, Managing Member, Milwaukee

Runners-up:
Superior Support Resources, Inc., Sarit Singhal, President and CEO, Brookfield
MSI Data Systems: Jo Ann Kraninger, Vice President, Mequon

Rising Star - Recognizes an innovative young company representing promise of success

Oneida Total Integrated Enterprises: Nick Ni, PE, Director, De Pere

Runners-up:
MARS IT Corporation: Rashi Arora, President, Wauwatosa
Global Refractory Installers and Suppliers: Lynn Piwonski, Chief Financial Officer, Edward Piwonski, President, and Scott Harmsen, Vice President, Green Bay

Good Citizen - Recognizes a company that contributes generously to its community

Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan: Gerardo Gonzalez, Managing Partner, Milwaukee

Runners-up:
Multicultural Entrepreneurship Institute, Inc.: Nelson Soler, Chief Solutions Officer, Milwaukee
Dairyland Electric, Christopher Martinez, President, Butler

For more information on Commerce programs for minority business development, visit http://commerce.wi.gov/BD/BD-MinorityandWomen.html.

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