NJSBDC Director Brenda B. Hopper welcomed attendees to the luncheon.

On behalf of Governor Cody, Calvin West extended his congratulations to NJSBDC Success Awards 2004 winners

NJBiz founder George Taber stops to chat with New Jersey Commerce CEO/Secretary Virginia S. Bauer

U.S. Small Business Administration New Jersey District Office Director James Kocsi noted that many of the winners received SBA loans.

Dean Howard P. Tuckman, of NJSBDC host institution Rutgers Business School talked about creating an atmosphere for innovation.

New Jersey Senate Majority Leader Bernard Kinney gave a keynote address about the importance of small business to the New Jersey economy.

NJ State Assemblyman "Kip" Bateman spoke proudly of the work of the Raritan Valley SBDC in his district.

NJ State Assemblyman Upendra J. Chivukula is among the Legislators honored for their support of small business. The College of NJ SBDC serves his District.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald spoke having pride in New Jersey and Rutgers University. The Rutgers-Camden SBDC serves his District.

NJSBDC Associate State Director and NJBiz founder, a NJSBDC client, George Taber. Taber spoke at the luncheon, giving entrepreneurs tips from his experience.

Christopher Garcia and Sean Morgan (from left) received a membership in the Commerce and Industry Association of NJ from board member Lou Weiss (center) and Deb Romano. Jeanmarie Tenuto and Vince D'Elia guided the duo.

Hopper congratulates Kean SBDC Success Award winner Moses Scott of Right at Home, a healthcare franchise. Mira Kostak (right) is the Director of the Kean University SBDC.

Bauer and Hopper present e-bay.com power sellers Monif (center) and Elaine Clarke with their NJSBDC Success Award on behalf of The College of New Jersey SBDC.

Secretary Bauer shakes hands with Paul Rinalidi, Assistant Director of the Monmouth/Ocean SBDC. Client Clarisse Persanyi operates All Things Cranberry. Bill Nunnally (right) is the Director of the Monnouth/Ocean SBDC.

Hopper congratulates Mana Somalingam (Soma) of PC Tech Learning Center in Jersey City. In addition to Soma's associate (center), New Jersey City University SBDC Director Barbara O'Neal and consultant Al Izzi worked with Soma.

Raritan Valley SBDC Director Sue Johnson with her center's winners Mary Matthews and Dr. Margaret Buley of Stellar Academy in Bridgewater. The sisters received a membership in the Somerset County Chamber of Commerce.

Stockton SBDC Director Joe Molineaux with franchisee William Castiglioni of Island Sun Tanning in Brigantine and franchisors Theresa and Mario Suarez of Island Sun Tanning in Somers Point.

Sec. Bauer and Hopper congratulate Dr. Alesia Johnson of Waterfront Dental Center in Camden. Dr. Johnson worked with Steve Applebaum (grey suit). Rutgers-Camden SBDC Director Gary Rago is next to Applebaum and Dr. Johnson received a membership in the Chamber of Commerce from XXXX.

Sec. Bauer reads about the accomplishments of Gerard Hunt (center) of The Heat, who is running a growing chain of retail clothing stores. Hunt and partner Patrick Russo worked with the Rutgers-Newark SBDC, led by Tendai Ndoro (to Hunt's right). Denis Rasugu (far right) worked on the business plan with Hunt.

Jan Rega, Director of the Skylands SBDC (far left) stands with Lara Baldwin of Landmark Event Services, Skylands SBDC Assistant Director Jim Smith, and Lara's husband Alan. Alan and Lara worked with Jim to create a business plan for their event management services firm in Fairfield.

Rafael and Nancy Zalazar (from left) started King Upholstery in Paterson in 1972 and, along with their son Juan, worked with the William Paterson SBDC. WPU SBDC Director Kate Muldoon (center), Sonia Musa and consultant William Tully (far right) worked with the Zalazars.

Sec. Bauer and Hopper congratulate Sumit (center) and XXX Bhanote of www.luggagepoint.com, an online luggage retailer. Sumit started the online arm of his Father's wholesale luggage business and worked with Nat Bender, Director of the NJSBDC E-Business Services program (far right).

Earl Stephenson (left) of C.I.N. Construction in Asbury Park and Charles J. Jackson, Director of the NJSBDC Emerging Markets program. Stephenson won NJ School Construction contracts and a large contract with Essex County.

Hopper congratulates long time NJSBDC client Marjorie Perry (center) of MZM Construction in Newark. Perry worked with NJSBDC on 8(a) certification previously and is currently working with NJSBDC Procurement Director Stephanie Burroughs (right).

(from left) Jialin Zhong, Ph.D. with NJSBDC Success Award winner Peter Q. Li of Li Creative Technologies. Li worked with the NJSBDC Technology Commercialization Center, led by Director Randy Harmon (next to Li). Paul Frank (far right) presented Li with a membership to the New Jersey Technology Council.

Rutgers-Camden staff and winner, including Harry Charles (right, standing).

XXX and Jack Armstrong of the FranNet, the Franchise Connection.

Smarth, NJSBDC Advisory Board member Roy B. Lee of Solutions Learning in Montclair and Burroughs.

Jackson, Dan Kirton of NJ Commerce and Economic Growth Commission and Jill Johnson of The Institute for Entrepreneurial Leadership in Newark.

Rutgers Business Deans Doug Jones and Bernadette Tiernan

Moses Scott of Right at Home with Kostak, Scott's father XXX and wife Dr. Melodie Toby

XXX and the Clarke's surrounding Mercer-Middlesex SBDC Assistant Director Tyra Brown. To Monif's right is Tonjua Ford-Wilson of the Mercer-Middesex SBDC and Bender

Ndoro, NJSBDC Advisory Board member Don Green and Hopper

Alan Baldwin, Jim Smith, Lara Baldwin and Jan Rega

A capacity crowd