The Nevada Small Business Development Center (NSBDC) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) will recognize the state's best and brightest small business leaders at a luncheon 11:30 a.m., June 13, at the Gold Coast Hotel.

This year's honorees are:

* Nevada Small Business Person of the Year for 2003 - James Foster, owner Air Excel, Inc., Boulder City.
* Advocate of the Year for Nevada and SBA Region IX - Richard Stumbo Jr., a financial services counselor for the SBA's Service Corps of Retired Executives program.
* Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year/Northern Nevada - Leslie Mix, president/CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Reno.
* Minority Small Business Advocate of the Year/Southern Nevada - Nita Lopez, small business coordinator, Clark County.
* Nevada Small Business Journalist of the Year - Julio Cisneros, television news director and anchor in Reno.
* Nevada Home-based Business Advocate of the Year - Gina Robison, founder, Moms In Business Network, Las Vegas.
* Nevada Women in Business Advocate of the Year - Paige P. Fleming, publisher/CEO, Nevada Woman magazine, Las Vegas.
* Nevada Small Business Research Advocate of the Year - Susan Jamerson, president/CEO, Jamerson & Associates, Reno.
* Las Vegas Small Business Person of the Year - Jaki Baskow, CEO/president, Baskow & Associates.
* Henderson Small Business Person of the Year - Dan H. Stewart, president/CEO, The Landwell Company.
* North Las Vegas Small Business Person of the Year - Kenneth Scherado Jr., owner, Lone Mountain Aviation, Inc.

The luncheon costs $35 per person or $325 for a table of 10 attendees.

For more information, contact the NSBDC at 895-4270.

The Nevada Small Business Development Center - part of the UNLV and UNR colleges of Business - is a statewide resource for business assistance, providing a unique array of services, expertise, and training in all areas including starting, growing, and developing a business. The NSBDC also offers information and guidance in understanding and complying with environmental and safety regulations. In addition, the NSBDC provides useful information on and analysis of the economy, environment, and demographic data to help businesses, government, and other organizations promote economic growth in their communities.