October 04, 2012

Manchin Congratulates Parkersburg Businesswoman on Prestigious Small Business Award

Parkersburg businesswoman has been named 2012 West Virginia and Region 3 Minority Small Business Person of the Year

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) congratulated Judy K. Sheppard, President and CEO of Professional Services of America, on receiving the 2012 West Virginia and Region 3 Minority Small Business Person of the Year award presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The award recognizes personal entrepreneurial achievements and business development.

“I’ve worked with Judy for years and can attest firsthand that she deserves this extremely prestigious award,” Senator Manchin said. “I worked in small businesses all my life, and I know they are the job engine of our state. Their importance in communities across West Virginia and this country is the key to economic growth and long-term stability. Judy’s entrepreneurial achievements speak for themselves, and show us that when small businesses and our government work together as partners, we succeed.”

Sheppard opened the Professional Services of America in 1989 with two employees and has since grown her company to employ more than 244 full-time employees in 40 states. The small business offers a range of services, which include providing human resource staffing, project management and development services to meet the needs of clients in both the public and private sectors. 

Sheppard will be recognized for her award at the Women in Technology Conference held at the Oglebay Resort and Conference Center in Wheeling. Sheppard will also be in the running for the National Small Business Person of the Year award on October 10 during the SBA and U.S. Black Chamber Awards Ceremony at the Carnegie Library in Washington, D.C. 

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