PHOENIX – Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced the 2022 Small Business Persons of the Year winners from each of the nation’s 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Tracey Latham, founder and CEO of Latham Industries in Phoenix was named the SBA Arizona Small Business Person of the Year. Latham will be formally recognized on May 5 during the National Small Business Week (NSBW) Virtual Summit’s Awards Ceremony. This year’s NSBW theme, “Building a Better America Through Entrepreneurship,” highlights the resilience, ingenuity, and creativity of these award winners who, like millions of small businesses, have navigated challenges from the pandemic and contributed to our nation’s economic comeback.
“I am delighted to recognize our National Small Business Week winners from across the country who have stepped up to build their businesses, create jobs, and power historic recovery over the past year,” Administrator Guzman said. “Entrepreneurs are innovators and creators at their core, delivering the products and services we depend on and making our neighborhoods, towns, and cities more vibrant places to live and work. They give their all to achieve their American dream of business ownership and, by doing so, advance America’s economy and global competitiveness. Our 2022 award winners represent the vibrancy and resiliency of our nation’s 32.5 million small businesses, and I look forward to celebrating these small business giants and the positive impact they have had on lives and livelihoods in communities all across America.”
Latham Industries, a woman-owned electronics manufacturer, specializes in printed circuit board assembly. CEO Latham brings 25 years of industry experience, serving multiple manufacturers before forming her own business in 2016. Her customer base crosses multiple industries, such as aerospace, commercial, medical, military, and security. Latham worked closely with the Arizona Women’s Education and Entrepreneur Center (AWEEC), SCORE, and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to guide her through regulatory logistics and ultimately connected her with a lender to secure an SBA loan to start the company. With strong revenue growth and an expanding staff, Latham is bringing more and more advanced manufacturing to Arizona. She is a contributor to the Homeless Engagement Lift Partnership (HELP) and serves on the board of the U & Improved Leadership Foundation.
“We are honored to congratulate Tracey Latham on being named the Arizona Small Business Person of the Year,” said Robert J. Blaney, Arizona SBA District Director. “Her dedication and success exemplify the commitment of Arizona’s entrepreneurs as they lead the way to innovate and drive economic recovery. We celebrate her accomplishments and thank her for her commitment to creating opportunity here in Arizona.”
“[Tracey’s] dedication and success exemplify the commitment of Arizona’s entrepreneurs as they lead the way to innovate and drive economic recovery.” - Robert J. Blaney, Arizona SBA District Director
National Small Business Week will be observed May 1-7, 2022. It will celebrate our small businesses, provide critical resources and recognize SBA partners for their support in providing startups and small business owners with counseling and advice, skills development, disaster preparedness and recovery, as well as access to capital, government contracting, and market opportunities to start, grow and build resilient businesses.