Lt. Governor Donohue Announces NY's 2003 Small Business Awards
Lt. Governor Mary Donohue today presented Doreen Marks, President of Otis Technology Inc., of Lyons Falls with the 2003 Small Business Person of the Year award. The awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding contributions to New York's small-business community.

"Governor Pataki's fostering of a business-friendly environment, combined with the hard work and dedication of people and organizations like today's award winners, have helped New York's small-business community remain strong," said Lt. Governor Donohue.

Doreen Marks began developing a portable gun cleaning kit at age 16, when her own hunting experience gave her the idea and demonstrated the need for such a product. After perfecting her design, initial orders were filled at the family kitchen table. Demand for Otis products has steadily increased and today the company has 43 employees and its own manufacturing facility. Doreen Marks and Otis Technologies have more than 30 patents. From one single idea, Doreen and her family have created more than 180 firearms maintenance products.

Otis Technology's sales continue to grow, as they identify new markets and plan for additional facility expansion. The U.S. military is currently one of Otis' largest customers with additional products to support our military personnel in design. Other customers include the FBI, law enforcement agencies throughout the world and major retailers L.L. Bean, Cabelas and Wal-Mart. Ms. Marks is also active in her community, giving time and resources to local events, business and civic organizations.

"Doreen Marks is a fine example of a small business person who's ideas, innovation and relentless hard work ultimately produce great success. She stands as a role model for other woman business entrepreneurs," said Lt. Governor Donohue.

Lt. Governor Donohue also announced today that Digital Rochester and the World Trade Center Small Business Recovery Fund have each been awarded the 2003 Small Business Not-For-Profit Organization of the Year Award. In addition, Ronald Fay, Chairman of the Candor Business Development Committee, has been recognized as the 2003 Small Business Advocate of the Year.

Digital Rochester links thousands of high-tech professionals and entrepreneurs in the Western New York region through the power of e-mail, community-building events, educational programs and public policy involvement. Digital Rochester has contributed significantly to the region's economic resiliency by promoting the interests of small, technology-based businesses and by giving high-tech professionals a unified voice in shaping upstate's economic future.

Digital Rochester supports the small business community by focusing on education, entrepreneurship, economic development and networking. Their efforts bring together large corporations, academic institutions, professional firms, government and not-for-profit agencies to focus on the needs of high-tech entrepreneurs. This has helped rekindle a spirit of optimism in Western New York and is helping to establish the upstate region as a pre-eminent high technology business community.

Richard Glaser said, "We are honored to receive this award from New York State. It is truly a reflection of our continued commitment to technology-focused entrepreneurs."

The World Trade Center Small Business Recovery Fund, a joint effort of the NYS Small Business Development Center and the New York Business Development Corporation, was created with unheard of speed, to aid small businesses in response to the tragic events of 9-11. To date, thousands of small businesses in Lower Manhattan have received business assistance and more than 250 loans have been approved, for a total disbursement of nearly $3,000,000.

In addition to being Chairman of the Candor Business Development Committee, Ronald Fay is also a full-time engineering manager for a local firm, co-owner of Fay's Fitness Company, and a tireless volunteer who dedicates hundreds of hours to help local small businesses. Mr. Fay has contributed significant time promoting the Candor business community, while realizing little or no personal gain from his diligent efforts.

"Ronald Fay has been a champion of the small business community in New York for many years, giving his time, energy and ideas to numerous projects and initiatives that help other small business entrepreneurs succeed in realizing their dreams," said Lt. Governor Donohue.

"Small business is a key component of New York State's economy, employing more than 3.6 million people," said Charles A. Gargano, Chairman of Empire State Development (ESD), which sponsors the awards with the New York State Small Business Advisory Board. "These awards provide an opportunity to recognize outstanding achievements by and for members of the Empire State's small businesses."

Nominations for the small business awards were solicited from trade associations, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, private and public educational institutions, and other types of business organizations on behalf of a small business, an individual or a not-for-profit organization. Applicants may also nominate themselves.

Applications were reviewed by the New York State Small Business Advisory Board, which made its award recommendations. To be eligible for an award, nominees must meet certain criteria outlined in the nomination application forms available from ESD's Division for Small Business. Applicants for Small Business Person of the Year award also must meet the definition of a small business as established by Section 131 of the New York State Economic Development Law.

For more information about ESD's services for small businesses, contact its Division for Small Business toll-free by calling 1-800-STATE-NY, via e-mail or visit their web site at www.nylovessmallbiz.com. # # #



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