FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE ARIZONA SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES THE FINALISTS FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL ATHENA AWARD CELEBRATION OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA

TUCSON, AZ (Monday, August 9, 2010) – The Arizona Small Business Association (asba) is pleased to announce the finalists for the First Annual ATHENA Award Program in Southern Arizona. The ATHENA Award is the most prestigious recognition a successful woman in business can receive. The award is bestowed on an exceptional woman who has achieved excellence in her business or profession; has served the community in a meaningful way; and has assisted and mentored women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. The award is highly respected and is well known throughout the U.S. and the world.

asba is pleased to announce that the finalists for the ATHENA Award of Southern Arizona are:

· Kerstin Block, President, Buffalo Exchange

· Judy Clinco, RN & Founder, Catalina In-Home Services

· Lisa Hopper, CEO & Founder, World Care

· Jana Westerbeke, President, Gadabout SalonSpas

· Janet Woods, Hospital Administrator & Co-Owner, Veterinary Specialty Center of Tucson.

"The Selection Committee had the daunting task of choosing just five finalists from all the remarkable nominees,” states asba CEO, Donna Davis. "We are honored and thrilled to recognize some incredible women in our community.”

asba assembled an amazing group of established women to serve on the 2010 ATHENA Selection Committee. This esteemed group of women includes:

· Judy Patrick, Chairman of the Board, SCF Arizona

· Carmen Bermúdez, Chairman & CEO, Mission Management & Trust Co.

· Laura Penny, Executive Director, Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona

· Jackie Thompson, Manager Community Affairs, Southwest Airlines

· Kim States, CEO & President, Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona

· Kelly Acevedo, VP, Human Resources, Tucson Newspapers

· Melanie Larson, President & CEO, L&B Design

· Lesli Pintor, Senior Vice President, Commercial RE Manager, National Bank of Arizona

· Korina Gregg, VP Sales, FocusHR and Past-President, Greater Tucson NAWBO

"Tucson is fortunate to have a plethora of exceptional women leaders – which made the task of identifying five finalists incredibly difficult,” states Laura Penny, Director, Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona.

"It is impressive that asba has brought such a high caliber award to Tucson that showcases the amazing talent Tucson business women possess. I am honored to be a part of the first annual Selection Committee and to watch the ATHENA program of Southern Arizona grow in years to come,” states Lesli Pintor, Senior Vice President, Commercial RE Manager, National Bank of Arizona.

The first stage of the selection process is an objective review of the applications. "It is critical that a nominee’s application is thorough, robust and fully represents the nominee’s achievements and contributions since this is the only information the Committee can use,” states Davis. The finalists will next participate in a 20-minute interview with the Selection Committee.

All ATHENA nominees will be recognized and the 2010 ATHENA Award recipient announced at the Annual ATHENA Award Luncheon on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at the JW Marriott Starr Pass. The recipient will then be invited to join the thousands of ATHENA Award recipients worldwide, along with other business owners and professionals, at the annual International ATHENA Leadership Conference. NAWBO Greater Tucson will also present its "Woman Business Leader of the Year” Award at the ATHENA Luncheon.

Tickets for the ATHENA Award Luncheon may be obtained by contacting the Arizona Small Business Association (asba) at 520-327-0222, or by visiting www.azathena.com.

About asba – For nearly 40 years, the arizona small business association (asba) has been a trusted source in creating opportunities for businesses to make money, save money and achieve amAZing results. With a membership of almost 5,000 businesses, representing over 300,000 employees, asba is the second largest trade association in the state and the only statewide association dedicated to serving small businesses. From outstanding value to an extensive range of support and services, asba is committed to making Arizona the best place for launching and growing your business. For more information, please call 520-327-0222 or visit www.asba.com. Join asba. Be amAZed®.

About ATHENA- The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia and the United Kingdom.For more information about ATHENA International and the ATHENA Award program, visit www.athenainternational.org.

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