The  US Small Business Administration awarded Ms. Lily Bengfort, CenGen’s President and CEO, Maryland Small Business Person of the Year.

The state nomination process involved a lengthy portfolio that examined CenGen’s competence, solvency, growth, and response to adversity. The review committee found Ms. Bengfort’s leadership and philosophy, her community involvement and personal history compelling and selecting her as the Maryland nominee for the national award. Each year since 1963, every state, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico have nominated entrepreneurs to be recognized by the SBA during Small Business Week.

This year, President Obama declared the May 23^rd – 25^th Small Business Week and regional winners arrived in the capital to be recognized for their achievements and their contributions. They were honored with events, a reception at the State Department, and acknowledgements from SBA notables like National President Karen Mills and administration heavyweights such as Sec. of Transportation Ray La Hood and Sec. of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. The week culminated with the announcement of the National Small Business Person of the Year an address by President Obama in the Rose Garden.

The Washington Post quoted: "I think small businesses deserve recognition," said Maryland winner Lily Bengfort, chief executive and president of Columbia-based CenGen, a contracting firm that provides wireless communication services to the Defense Department.  "We sacrifice and risk a lot of time, energy and personal finances," Bengfort added. The award offers "hope to aspiring entrepreneurs, even in this environment."