Lori Nevarez, president of a Littleton environmental company, hoped to meet prospective clients at a business-development conference this week in Washington, D.C. Perhaps she would even land a contract or two.
As it happened, Nevarez on Wednesday was named National Minority Small Business Person of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The honor marks the first time in at least 10 years that a Colorado business owner has won the award.
“I was shocked,” said Nevarez, 41, who was a finalist for the award with 10 others. “I had no idea I would win.”
Nevarez – whose Innovar Environmental Inc. handles environmental consulting, asbestos and mold abatement and demolition – employs 30 people in Colorado.
The company posted $1.1 million in revenue for fiscal 2004. For 2005, Nevarez expects $3.5 million to $3.7 million in revenue.
“This has been our growing year,” she said.
The award earned Nevarez a crystal statue, an afternoon meeting with U.S. Sen. Wayne Allard of Colorado and a platform to promote minority entrepreneurs and community involvement in Colorado, she said.
It also could help Nevarez land lucrative contracts, the small-business agency’s Christopher Chavez said.
“It adds to the reputation of the business,” Chavez said. “This gives them an advantage.”
Criteria for the award included the firm’s financial strength, participation in community projects and charities, and use of the SBA’s programs.
Nevarez, who grew up in Arvada and earned a finance degree from Metropolitan State College of Denver, launched her business in 2000.
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-820-1260 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
