JACKSONVILLE — The U.S. Small Business Administration’s North Florida district office is celebrating the district’s Small Business Person of the Year and 5 additional honorees as it prepares for National Small Business Week, which will take place May 4-10, 2025. Along with awards ceremonies, the week will include a national small business roadshow with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler, a two-day virtual summit, community events and educational sessions about manufacturing, digital marketing, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency, as well as online business resources and renowned speakers.
“Our winners exemplify the best of entrepreneurship and small business leadership, contributing significantly to economic vitality across North Florida and beyond. Their vision, resilience, and dedication serve as an inspiration to the entire small business community,” said Jonel Hein, SBA North Florida District Director.
The SBA North Florida district is recognizing Viv Helwig, owner of Vested Metals International for his impact and economic contributions as the district’s Small Business Person of the Year. Mr. Helwig, founder of Vested Metals, earned recognition due to his remarkable entrepreneurial journey—transforming a small, single-office startup into a thriving enterprise with a significant market presence. His leadership overcame early challenges to achieve substantial growth, expanding the company’s footprint and driving impressive sales through innovative marketing strategies. Helwig’s dedication and business acumen exemplify outstanding small-business success in North Florida.
At local ceremonies, SBA’s North Florida district office will distribute awards for the district winner, additional local awardees and local lenders who have empowered entrepreneurial success, created jobs and driven economic growth. You can register for the local Small Business Week events here.
The winners include:
State of Florida & North Florida District Winners:
Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year: Chad Drummond, Drummond Carpenter, PLLC
Chad Drummond, co-founder of Drummond Carpenter, PLLC, has rapidly grown the veteran-owned civil and environmental engineering firm into a recognized leader with offices throughout Florida and Michigan. Specializing in environmental remediation, sustainability, and infrastructure, the firm provides innovative solutions to clients like NASA, the Department of Energy, and local governments. Recently recognized by Inc. 5000 and Orlando Business Journal for its significant growth, Drummond Carpenter demonstrates excellence through technical innovation and dedicated veteran mentorship.
Women-Owned Small Business Person of the Year: Amanda Gaskin, Ultimate Health Direct Primary Care
Amanda Gaskin founded Ultimate Health Direct Primary Care in Leesburg, Florida, transforming healthcare delivery by prioritizing direct, affordable, patient-centered services. Her innovative membership-based clinic eliminates insurance complexities, offering comprehensive primary and preventive care with transparent pricing. Amanda’s vision has resulted in remarkable clinic expansion and significant community impact, earning widespread patient trust through personalized, accessible healthcare solutions.
Rural Business Owner of the Year: Jesse “Kevin” Carter, Attack One Fire Management Services
Jesse “Kevin” Carter founded Attack One Fire Management Services, significantly enhancing wildfire prevention and emergency response in rural Florida. Through specialized fire management and training programs, the company has effectively safeguarded countless communities and natural resources across the nation. Carter’s leadership and commitment to excellence have made Attack One an indispensable partner for rural counties, ensuring preparedness and resilience amid environmental challenges.
North Florida District Winner:
Small Business Community Partner of the Year: Leslie Giscombe, African American Entrepreneurs Association Leslie Giscombe, founder of the African American Entrepreneurs Association (AAEA), has significantly impacted entrepreneurs across the U.S. by providing essential resources, mentorship, and educational programs. Starting locally in Palm Coast, Florida, AAEA now collaborates with leading universities nationwide to empower hundreds of businesses. Giscombe’s visionary leadership promotes entrepreneurship, economic growth, and community development on a national scale.
National Winner:
8a Graduate of the Year: Gina Hill, G.M. Hill Engineering Inc.
Gina Hill, founder of G.M. Hill Engineering Inc., has transformed her one-woman structural engineering practice into a premier design-build firm respected across the Southeast. With a focus on integrated architecture, engineering, and construction solutions, G.M. Hill Engineering Inc. serves diverse federal, state, and private-sector clients, including the Department of Defense and NASA. Hill’s strategic growth, outstanding project execution, and leadership in business innovation have positioned the firm as a standout graduate of SBA’s 8(a) program.
Details on National Small Business Week, the virtual summit, registrations and speakers are featured on www.sba.gov/NSBW and will be updated as additional information and activities are confirmed. Local events will be featured on www.sba.gov/events and identifiable by searching with #SmallBusinessWeek.
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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.
