Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for the 2007 SBA Small Business Awards. For more information or to get the nomination forms, in print or digital format, call Jane Sawyer at (808) 541-2973 or send an e-mail request
Abrahams is chef de cuisine at Brown’s Beach House
Chef David Abrahams brings more than 20 years of hospitality experience along with his innovative, island-inspired cuisine to his new role as chef de cuisine at the Brown’s Beach House oceanfront restaurant at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii.
Abrahams’ background began in 1988 when he worked for the Warner Center Marriott as a lead line cook/management trainee. In 1989 he became the head chef at the Sedona Restaurant in California. In 1991 he worked for Fulli’s La Pasta as the executive chef/consultant and in 1994 he joined Jeremiah Tower’s Stars Cafe “Four Star” as a line cook expeditor. In 1995 he joined Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows “Five Star” as the lead line cook.
In 1998 he relocated to the Big Island where he was employed as a chef with Merriman’s in Waimea. Since July 2005, he has contributed in taking the Fairmont Orchid’s Grille restaurant to its second four diamond rating as awarded by the American Automobile Association and some of the highest scores for food quality and presentation in the Fairmont Hotels and Resorts collection.
SBA seeks nominations for 2007 business awards
The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened nominations for the SBA Small Business Awards for 2007. The annual awards program recognizes the outstanding contributions of Hawaii’s small business owners, entrepreneurs and advocates to the state’s economy.
The top award, the SBA Small Business Person of the Year, honors the accomplishments of successful small business owners who have demonstrated staying power, innovativeness in their products and services, created and sustained jobs, and increased annual revenues. Candidates for this award may be a single small business owner and operator or a partnership of up to four managing partners. One top small business person or firm is selected for each county in the state.
Special honors are also presented to other small business owners or entrepreneurs who have shown extraordinary business savvy, drive and skill in different areas of business:
c Family Owned Businesses that have transferred ownership from one generation to the next with a minimum of 15 years of operation.
c Small Business Exporters who generate a significant portion of revenues from sales outside the United States.
c Young Entrepreneurs who have owned and operated a successful business for a minimum of three years and are still under 30 years old.
The SBA Champion Awards honor those individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting small businesses through professional and volunteer efforts with an extraordinary impact on a specific segment of the small business community. The areas of accomplishment and advocacy that will be recognized in 2007 include:
c Minority Business Champion for individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to expanding business ownership opportunities among minorities;
c Women in Business Champion for individuals who have coached, assisted and advocated for the advancement and success of women as small business owners;
c Veteran Small Business for individuals who have supported the efforts of veterans who are building their own business;
c Small Business Journalist for an individual in the media who has increased awareness of the contributions of small businesses and the challenges they face;
c Financial Services Champion for individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to increasing access to capital and financing opportunities for small business;
c Home-Based Business Champion for individual with experience in operating a home-based business that also assists and promotes this fast-emerging segment of the economy.
Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for the 2007 SBA Small Business Awards. For more information or to get the nomination forms, in print or digital format, call Jane Sawyer at (808) 541-2973 or send an e-mail request to jane.sawyer@sba.gov. The deadline to submit the completed nomination forms will be Nov. 7 at the Hawaii District office at 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Room 2-235, Honolulu.
