STI Technology Solutions, Inc., of Jefferson City, was honored Tuesday, Feb. 3, as a winner of the 2015 University of Missouri Extension Business Development Program's (BDP) Excellence in Missouri Business Award, according to a news release.
The awards highlight outstanding achievements by firms that have worked with the Missouri Small Business & Technology Development Centers (MO SBTDC); Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (MO PTAC); or the Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center (TAAC).
"Missouri's small businesses are the true engine of economic growth in the state," said Steve Devlin, BDP director, in the release. "These business owners work hard every day, and these awards are just a small measure of recognition for their efforts to bring prosperity to their communities."
In addition to their award, each winning business received legislative courtesy resolutions from their respective representatives and senators, presented at a legislative breakfast on Wednesday morning, Feb. 4.
STI Technology Solutions was co-founded by John Smallwood and Dave Abbot and is counseled by Chris Thompson, University of Missouri Extension-Cole County SBTDC.
With Thompson's guidance and tutelage, STI Technology Solutions has grown into a full-service IT and telecommunications firm with sales of nearly $1 million, added 10 new employees and gained more than $220,000 in financing.
The BDP is a statewide network that assists Missouri firms with management, marketing, access to capital, international trade, selling to the government and competing against cheaper imports. Business counselors are located in individual county Extension offices and on the campuses of the state's public colleges and universities.
STI Technology Solutions is one of 19 BDP clients honored with this award in Missouri.
For more information about the BDP and how it helps area businesses every day, go to missouribusiness.net.