Brian Hoornbeek of Stevensville has been named SBA’s 2012 Veteran Small Business Champion for Montana and Region VIII. Along with a cast of other outstanding award winners, Hoornbeek will accept his award at the Small Business Week awards ceremony in Bozeman on June 7.
Hoornbeek is the owner and president of a2z Supply Corp. (a2z), a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB), in Stevensville, Montana. a2z is a government contractor and supplies over 100+ agencies and distributes for over 500+ manufacturers.
Hoornbeek is known as the “go to guy” providing assistance to veterans wanting to get started in business. He consistently provides outreach to veterans and veteran-owned businesses, providing one-on-one counseling whenever asked. He freely gives advice to vets who are trying to navigate the various veteran certification processes.
He also provides active support for veteran-owned businesses through his work with local congressional offices and is an active supporter of a proposed bill to hold federal agencies accountable to attain vetrepreneur spending mandates.
Brian Hoornbeek is committed to the advancement of small business opportunities for veterans and that is why he was selected as this year’s recipient of the Veteran Small Business Champion.
Patty Cox, of Montana Community Development Corporation, nominated Hoornbeek for this award.
Other award recipients are: K.C. Walsh, Simms Fishing Products, Bozeman – Montana Small Business Person; André Giles, Montana Flour & Grains, Inc., Fort Benton – Small Business Exporter; Tyler Jarosz, Twenty6 Products, Inc., Bozeman – Young Entrepreneur; Cari Yturri, Bennett Motors, Great Falls – Family-Owned Small Business; Yolanda Good Voice, Crow Tribe Economic Development, Crow Agency – Minority Champion; Sarah Calhoun, Red Ants Pants, LLC, White Sulphur Springs – Women in Business Champion; Ris Higgins, Leadership Outfitters, Bozeman – 1st Runner-up Women in Business Champion; Montana Community Development Corporation – Financial Services Champion; and City of Great Falls – Small Business Community.
The public is invited to attend the awards ceremony, hosted by Prospera Business Network and supported by American Bank, Big Sky Economic Development, W.L. Gore & Associates, Montana World Trade Center and Gallatin College programs. The cost is $25/person, and you may register online at www.ProsperaBusinessNetwork.org. For registration form or more information on SBA programs, call 406-441-1081.