U.S. Small Business Administration Once Again Honors bd Systems

LOS ANGELES, California, April 2005 – The Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration has selected Mrs. Clarisa Howard, bd Systems’ President and CEO, as its 2005 “Small Business Person of the Year”. This award for entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishment recognizes bd Systems for its business success and community service. Mrs. Howard received this prestigious award at the SBA’s Small Business Week awards ceremony, sponsored by the SBA and the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, in May 2005.

The judging was based on the following criteria: staying power, growth in number of employees, increase in sales and/or unit volume, current and past financial reports, innovativeness of product or service offered, response to adversity, and contributions to aid community-oriented projects. The Los Angeles SBA Office covers Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties, with a combined population base of 11 million."