Tech firm wins honor By Deborah Willoughby Montgomery Advertiser

Steve Goldsby, founder of Integrated Computer Solutions Inc., accepts the COSBE Award Thursday from Tina McManama, marketing director of the Montgomery Advertiser, at the 2005 COSBE Small Business Awards at the Carmichael Center. -- Photos by Karen S. Doerr Advertiser A business that confronts the ever-changing threats to computer security for customers across the nation was honored Thursday as the Small Business of the Year. Steve Goldsby, founder of Integrated Computer Solutions, accepted the COSBE Small Business of the Year award. The annual award from the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce's Council of Small Business Enterprises, goes to an area company that has experienced significant growth in employees, revenue, profitability or its impact on the job market. Goldsby founded Integrated Computer Solutions in 1997 after leaving the Air Force. The information security consulting firm does work for the U.S. Department of Defense as well as for businesses, nonprofit agencies and other groups. John Jones, left, and Ella Jones with Sunshine Travel and Tours, Inc. accept the Category I Small Business Award from Guy Davis on Thursday at the 2005 COSBE Small Business awards presentation at the Carmichael Center. In accepting his award during a ceremony at the Carmichael Center, Goldsby thanked the people he works with. "I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but I do have the sense to surround myself with smart people," he said. Emerging Business awards also were presented Thursday to 12 companies that started within the past three years. Marlena Farshee, owner of Advantage Closing, has been handling real estate deals through her business for just over a year. How did she manage to achieve Emerging Business award status? "It's all about choosing the right people to surround yourself with," Farshee said. Carl Whatley, Jr., far left, Jim Harwick, second from right, and Ben Stakely, far right, all with Proethic Pharmaceuticals, Inc. accept the Category IV Small Business Award from Guy Davis Thursday evening at the 2005 COSBE Small Business Awards at Carmichael Center. Michelle Browder, one of the owners of PJR's Fish & BBQ Restaurant, said the Small Business Incubator helped to mentor the business, which opened Feb. 16, 2004. The restaurant is already planning to expand, beginning with the addition of a patio, she said. Cedric Varner, an advertising executive with WRJM-TV, received a Minority Business Point of Light Award. "We've been working with the Minority Business Development Department, trying to support them as the minority community continues to increase its profile in the Montgomery area," Varner said. "I'm excited about the chamber and how it is trying to bring the total community together." Also honored Thursday were four top business students: Maliqua Long of Alabama State University, Joseph Knoles of Auburn University Montgomery, Joshua Robinson of Huntingdon College and Peter Spears II from Tuskegee University. 2005 COSBE Small Business Awards COSBE Small Business of the Year: Integrated Computer Solutions Inc. -- Steve Goldsby Small Business of the Year: Category I, 1-10 employees: Sunshine Travel and Tours Inc. -- Ella and John Jones Category II, 11-25 employees: Alabama Dumpster Service LLC -- Ladon and Michael Dansby Category III, 26-50 employees: Foshee Management, LLC/Foshee Builders Inc. -- Golson M. Foshee Category IV, 51-100 employees: ProEthic Pharmaceuticals Inc. -- Carl Whatley Jr., Ben Stakely and Jim Harwick COSBE & Small Business of the Year finalists: Head to Toe -- Maurine Williams Integrated Magnetic Imaging -- Suzanne Cristwell Regitar USA Inc. -- Dr. Y.T. Tsai Success Unlimited -- Susan Odle We Finance Auto Sales Inc. -- Tony Richards and Kenneth Thomas Emerging Business awards: ABS Business Systems of Montgomery Inc. -- Tom Morris and Eddie Cobb Advantage Closing LLC -- Marlena Farshee Barking Bistro LLC -- Aaftine Roettgen Bob Shuford Construction LLC -- Bob Shuford Sr. Elegant Styles LLC -- Randy and Debra Holman ERA Weeks & Browning Realty -- Sherry Weeks Hilton Garden Inn -- Tom Hunt, Howard Porter, Alvin Bettcher Olive Room & Nobles Restaurants -- Steve McGraw, Ted Nobles, Ken Register and Hector Perez PJR's Fish & BBQ Restaurant -- Michelle Browder, Pete McNeal and Roger Staples Sloan Southern Homes -- Pam Sloan Transcendence Inc. -- Leland and Regina Talbert and James Hodgson Ware Jewelers -- Ronnie and Tina Ware

 

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