A Gulf Coast mayor and volunteer from Mississippi; a printer/publisher from Massachusetts and a volunteer from New York who provided exceptional services after Hurricane Katrina struck, and during the aftermath of some of the worst flooding ever experienced in the New England area, will be presented with the Phoenix Award on April 24 during the US Small Business Administration's National Small Business Week, the agency's two-day conference in Washington.

The award will be presented during an 8:30 a.m. breakfast at the Ronald Reagan International Trade Center.

"These individuals displayed tremendous courage and selflessness in the midst of the most devastating disasters ever experienced by our Agency," said SBA Administrator Steven Preston. "The Phoenix Award is an acknowledgement of their heroic efforts, and a token of appreciation for their support of the physical and economic recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast and New England States."

More details on the award winners:

Patrick Turley, President of Turley Publications, Inc. in Palmer, MA, will receive the Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery. One of New England's largest printers of community and university newspapers, Turley Publications was forced to stop the presses in October 2005 when flood waters caused property losses over 900 thousand dollars. Mr. Turley decided he wasn't going to miss a deadline. Employees helped with the cleanup, electricity was restored and two university newspapers were printed on time. Turley received an SBA disaster loan and within five months the plant was running at full capacity.

John Thomas ‘Tommy’ Longo, mayor - City of Waveland, MS, will receive the Phoenix Award for Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Public Official. Waveland was cut off from the world in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The town was obliterated, and 80 percent of the population was left homeless. Mayor Tommy Longo had just undergone knee surgery. During the evacuation and rescue efforts, Longo was in tremendous pain, yet he tirelessly worked to save lives and reassure survivors. He commandeered a local park and established temporary housing there, and helped gather resources needed to rebuild the city.

Gregory L. Jenkins of Conklin, NY will receive the Phoenix Award for his Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer. The summer 2006 flooding of the Susquehanna River was one of the worst in state history. Gregory Jenkins responded to his devastated community by rescuing neighbors and assisting in the coordination of rescue efforts by the National Guard. In the months after the flood, Jenkins worked tirelessly to organize nearly 300 volunteers who assisted in providing more than 20,000 meals, supporting local clean up efforts, and distributing supplies and tools to disaster survivors.

John W. ‘Trey’ Campbell III of Pass Christian, MS will also receive a Phoenix Award for his Outstanding Contributions to Disaster Recovery by a Volunteer. John's home and business were destroyed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Still, he selflessly reached out to others, and became a volunteer coordinator. Using his cell phone to broadcast a plea for help, Campbell received many responses from volunteer organizations and directed them to where help was needed. At his own expense, he housed and fed volunteers for months. Campbell also worked with them cleaning debris, painting, and helping the town rebuild.

Since 1998, the SBA has presented the Phoenix Awards to business owners and individuals who displayed courage, resourcefulness and tenacity in the aftermath of a disaster, while contributing to the rebuilding of their communities.

http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

•Date: 27th March 2007 • Region: US•Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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